Now this is what Campbell needs to do more of. Last night the man ripped poor old Peter Brown to shreds over his racist comments about Asian immigrants, and it was brutal. You almost had to feel sorry for the guy:
Some of it was great – highlighting the actual Stats NZ data and contrasting itwith Brown’s assertions. But there were bits that were pretty bad – he asked Brown questions and then interupted when Brown tried to answer, and he also misrepresented some of what Brown said.
It was a vast improvement over much of what we see on TV, but I don’t think we should be too liberal with our praise when their were also significant flaws in the interview.
As the Steinlager ad says, “It’s good to see you take a stand where it counts”!
I am calling on Helen Clark to sack Peters as Foreign Minister, or to demand his resignation – if she doesn’t, she runs the risk of being tarred with the same brush. Brown may have spoken the words, but who calls the shots in NZ First?
So Inventory, you think that all coalition agreements, that include making a member of the minor party a government minister, include (implicitly) the requirement that the major party sign off on the minor partys election platform, and kick them out of their ministerial role/s (which would in effect probably mean an end to the coalition)?
It seems a bit odd that Helen Clark is now responsible for not only Labour’s election platform, but NZF’s and UF’s (and the Greens?).
Inventory2, disingenuous argument – you say (your blog) that Peters has said this type of stuff before, yet only call for him to be sacked now (also on this blog). This was raised when Peters got the job originally, and we haven’t suffered because of it.
Note, I’m not condoning Borwn’s message in the slightest!
I also recall that as part of Labour’s agreement with NZF, they were their own party on all matters apart from Winston’s portfolio – this is immigration and not foreign affairs, so it is entirely outside of Labour’s sphere. unless it affects Foreign Affairs…
Great interview by Comrade Campbell, for once I applaud he man.
I also agree with Tane in as much as I would love to see Campbell out a few other pollies under the blowtorch, he could start with Cullen and Clark.
However we all know he would never do such a thing so all we really have is another sycophantic kiwi jounro picking on (quite rightly as it happens)a minor party instead of being brave enough to take on dear leader.
No comment from Clark about this disgusting racist attack, the only inference one can draw from that is that she fully supports Winston firsts policy on Asian immigration.
Bruv, you are of course trolling, but perhaps you could tell us which of the major party leaders have bothered with Brown’s blather? Why cross the motorway to tread on an ant?
The responses have come from the party spokespeople (Carter, Wong, Locke etc), and have been clear and unequivocal, as they should be.
Less clear are the views of various right-wingers when *other* minorities are targeted, such as Muslims. Peter Brown’s a bigoted buffoon, easy to oppose. But there’s also been a fair amount of Crosby/Textor dog-whistles (“I’m not racist but …”) which have not been so readily condemned.
Same message, smarter package.
PS Peter Brown, Bob Clarkson – what’s the difference?
I think it’s a first ! Agreement on all the most common left and right blogs that Peter Brown and his comments are outrageous and unacceptable.
Perhaps Winston would like to comment – no he’ll wait to see public reaction …. test the polls the decide whether play to the lowest sector of our population come election time – very cynical Winston but hardly surprising.
An this man helps prop up the corrupt and desperate Labour Party. You leftards should immediatley demand Winston declare that this policy is not part of NZ First policy.
It was wonderful to see Campbell rip this prick to shreds and I cannot believe that he is even in Parliament let alone party of the Labour Government! But the reality is that he is one of yours. Do you mind being propped up by a racist such as Brown?
[we do oppose Brown’s racist comments. hence the post. SP]
Is…is this why you’re so angry big bruv? Given Winston has used this same campaign issue since he were knee ‘igh to grass’oppers & all?
I mean his coalition with National must have really stung, and then for him to get back in, this time with Labour – you must feel positively disenfranchised, is there nowhere you can turn? Oh wait – what’s that? It’s..it’s The KIWI PARTY ! 😀
Cap: ‘fringe of’ – big bruv’s relationship with reality?
Peter Brown is not a Labour MP. Bob Clarkson is a National MP.
Peter Brown is not a member of the government. Bob Clarkson is a National Party spokesman, with portfolios.
According to your brilliant logic, John Key must therefore be a bigger racist than Helen Clark. (I don’t think Key is racist myself, but if you insist …)
So John Key should have sacked Clarkson months ago by your ‘logic’. You agree with this right, Clarkson should be a gonner? How is your heartfelt letter writing campaign to that effect going?
Oh, a stated policy? Which portfolio is it in? I wouldn’t mind the link to the policy, cheers champ.
havent had a good look through kiwiblog yet, but im sure looking forward to redbaiter trying to defend him. (though redbaiter could still be running around with his tail between his legs since his embarasment over the BSA/californication post)
Bob Clarkson is rough around the edges. I cannot remember his commnets but also understand he is the type of person who would say such a thing – but a couple of pints
1. Bob is not espousing National Party Policy – That racist Brown is. Brown was making factually incorrect statement and gross generalisations about a major part of out population who normally are good hard-working and industrious citizens.
2. Two worngs do not make it right.
3. Given the Labour party have in the past vilified other minority groups (Chinless scarf wearers, extreme christians, lawyers and accountants who play golf) and Labour have failed to come out and demand a retraction I think we can assume that Labour actually support Winston’s policy (afterall Asians tend to vote National)
I think the facts speak for themselves. Labour are happy for NZF poodle to do their dirty work for them.
Bob is not espousing National Party Policy – That racist Brown is.
Brown’s promoting National Party policy? That’s news to me, I thought he was promoting NZ First’s.
Labour have failed to come out and demand a retraction I think we can assume that Labour actually support Winston’s policy
You assume too much. It’s not Labour’s business to demand NZ First retract its policy, but it is their business to state a view. And they have – their relevant spokesmen have condemned it.
That is a really desperate attempt to smear the Labour Party. Get back to me when you can back up your lies with a shred of evidence (which you can’t, because there is none).
Here is clear evidence you obviously didn’t bother to read, earlier in the thread. The views of the previous National party leader:
Thanks for the video. It’s very revealing that he has nothing to say to Asian-New Zealanders on his comments, and hadn’t even read the report well enough to see that most of the population of Asian-New Zealanders predicted will be born in New Zealand.
I’m also highly worried that he can’t justify why he thinks Asian-New Zealanders won’t speak English despite the fact that we now require their proficiency with English language to be tested, and has not expressed any lack of confidence in that process.
Again, where’s your evidence? The irony will go way over your head, but for somebody who claims to be concerned about racism, you sure love the empty generalisations.
The survey below reported 47% Labour, 40% National. However, it is several years old now, so perhaps you have more recent data? Or do you just pick lazy prejudices out of your arse, and pretend they are facts?
I think it is an important point that has been made that as Winston is part of the Government, the views of his party are relevant. Particularly as minister of Foreign Affairs. Can he now adequately discharge his obligations given his party’s stated policies?
Others have made the point and have been denigrated for doing so. However I think as Prime Minister, Helen Clark needs to think long and hard about the effect of having as Foreign Minister a man who leads a party with disgustingly racist views. Some may feel that it is sufficient for party spokespeople to condemn Peter Browns statement on behalf of NZ First. However Helen Clark needs to worry about the reputation NZ has internationally. She should give strong consideration to a Prime Ministerial statement of condemnation if not an outright sacking. It is simply unacceptable for her to be putting Labour’s fortunes ahead of NZ’s reputation.
MC: I think you’re a bit confused as well. It wasn’t Winston who made the comments. I haven’t seen it in any party policy from NZF.
As far as I can tell (by analogy, and stretching it a bit) you’re saying that Key should stand down as leader of the opposition because Burka Bob makes rascist comments. Or he shouldn’t get the security briefings as leader of the opposition…..
BeShakey said “So Inventory, you think that all coalition agreements, that include making a member of the minor party a government minister, include (implicitly) the requirement that the major party sign off on the minor partys election platform, and kick them out of their ministerial role/s (which would in effect probably mean an end to the coalition)?”
Not at all BeShakey. The point I am making is that Clark appointing Peters, well known as a loose cannon, as Foreign Minister was the price of NZ First enabling her to form a government. However, with that came risk. The role of Foreign Minister is a crucial one – Peters is effectively the “shop window” for the New Zealand government on the international diplomatic circuit. To have as Foreign Minister the leader of a xenophobic party is not a good look, and unless Clark distances herself from Peters in strong terms, she runs the risk of being seen as endorsing the NZ First anti-Asian rhetoric.
Anyone who believes that Brown’s outburst was not sanctioned by Peters is naive in the extreme. Peters has a well-documented track record in Asian-bashing, and whether by accident or design, his rhetoric is normally delivered in the run-up to an election. Labour markets itself as a party which is “ethnic-friendly”; being associated with Winston Peters and his party can only be bad news for Labour.
AncientGeek said “MC: I think you’re a bit confused as well. It wasn’t Winston who made the comments. I haven’t seen it in any party policy from NZF.”
Get real AG! You know that Winston rules NZ First with an iron hand, and that comments like this would never be made without him giving the ok. I have no doubt that these are Winston’s words, just like the “rows of ostentatious houses” comments from 1996.
AG – This has come from the spokesperson for immigration for NZ First and Winston has not distanced himself from the statement. I believe it is fair to infer that this is policy unless otherwise stated. This is also historically accurate with NZF policy.
Bob Clarkson although an idiot for making the stupid comments he made is not responsible for New Zealand’s image overseas – he is not minister of Foreign Affairs. John Key can discipline him however he feels is right – his decision does not affect New Zealand’s international reputation so much as a Foreign Minister leading a party with racist policies.
You say I’m confused. Next time bring the crayons and I’ll think you’ll understand a little better eh mate.
So you have some kite-flying. Peter Brown from the clip I saw, was quite clear that it is his opinion.
Personally I think the statement was ridiculous as well as being stupidly racist. Peter Brown deserves condemnation and he has observably gotten it. Hopefully he will get dropped as NZF’s immigration spokesperson.
But to jump from that to dismissing Winston requires so many steps between that you’d have to be a conspiracy nutter to make them. It jumps across so many lines of responsibility that you could make equivalent examples from any party from some of their resident idiots saying things to the media.
Face it – it is a hell of stretch from Peter Brown expressing his opinion, to dismissing Winston (not that I favour him either).
You know that Winston rules NZ First with an iron hand, and that comments like this would never be made without him giving the ok.
Crap. Think back 10 years to the Nat/NZF coalition. Think back four (?) years to Woolerston. If I could be bothered, I could probably pick a dozen examples including Ron Mark.
Internal discipline inside NZF is just marginally better than the Greens.
AG – Has Winston said he doesn’t support the statement? No. Did Peter Brown say he has the support of Winston Peters in the video? Yes. Has Winston Peters said similar things himself in election years? Yes. Did Peter Brown say he was acting in accordance with NZF policy? Yes.
To say Winston Peters is not responsible here is to hide your head in the sand. However things change considerably if he comes out and condemns the statement. Anything less is an endorsement worthy of his sacking.
I don’t doubt that Winston endorses Brown’s comments. NZ First are doing what they’ve always done – appeal to rednecks. The only difference is that this time it was done without Peters’ demagogue skills, a bumbling amateur instead of the old pro.
It is no different from the message that got Peters up to 30% in the polls in the 1990’s, no different from when his star was rising, no different from when he entered a coalition with National, no different from when Brash courted him in 2005, no different from when John Key said last year that Peters could be Foreign Minister in his government, and for exactly the same reason as Labour – because they needed the seats.
New Zealand First’s poison has been there for 15 years now. It’s a bit late to start claiming moral high ground and demanding resignations. Some of us got off our arses and marched and campaigned and protested against Peters and his bigotry years ago. If you joined in then, credit to you. If you didn’t, spare me the lecture now.
I hate racism. But I hate posturing, pretend anti-racism almost as much. And given the silence – or even approval – on the Right when OTHER minority groups are targeted, I suspect that a lot of the “outrage” is pretty damn artificial.
If anyone doubts this, spend five minutes checking out the blogs (usual suspects) from when the Somalian hi-jacker hit the news. Not much anti-racism then.
Historian: That was almost a perfect description of how I feel about it as well. Especially the last three paragraphs.
NZF caters to a particular subset of the population that I don’t care for much. It is a set of attitudes about superficial differences that I detest. However the only way to clear it out of society is to do it slowly. The common racism of 30 years ago is not tolerated as easily by the current generations. It will be less tolerated in the future.
Like it or not, Peter Brown probably has support for his attitudes. He is in the right generation to have caught a high level of asian phobia from the war and post-war propaganda, plus the end of empire (he was born in 1939). The attitudes he espoused are common in that generation. However there is often a disjunction between what is said and what is done. You hear a lot of rhetoric about generalizations, and quite different actions.
But it isn’t idle rhetoric and empty gestures that will change it. It is pushing the message over and over across time and across generations. You sure as hell don’t try to suppress people talking about it, because it just goes underground, and resurrects in a more virulent form later. You do suppress the idiots who act on it.
I’ve been fighting racism for my adult life, because I could never understand how anyone could be ignorant enough to believe its underlying premises. I get a bit pissed seeing dick heads trivializing it for trivial political opportunities.
AG – they say that confession is good for the soul, so here goes. For much of my adult life, I would have been one of those that you were fighting. But things change, and a “mid-life crisis” (amazing how two failed marriages can affect you!) led to a paradigm shift in my attitude towards other cultures. That’s probably why I am so offended by Peter Brown’s tirade the other day. His venom was especially offensive when it is considered that he himself is a first-generation immigrant who has enjoyedf the largesse of New Zealand.
But make no mistake. These were not Peter Brown’s words. New Zealand First made immigration a key policy right from its genesis at the 1993 election, and the xenophobia has been present in the party throughout its life. New Zealand First has only ever had one leader – Winston Peters. If you do not agree that Brown was articulating Peters’s views, I would suggest that you are being very charitable to Peters. I am not so charitable, and believe that New Zealand’s international reputation will be harmed by Peters’s continued presence as Foreign Minister. And I stand by my claim that Helen Clark runs the risk of “guilt by association” if she does not sanction Peters. Then again, she knew she was taking a risk when she appointed him………
Another day passes and the right wing trolls still waste acres of space on this blog repeating points that have already been answered ad nauseam.
They never actually enter into a discussion (the whole point of blogs), just make the same mad statements over and over again.
The phrase “get a life” springs to mind
deemac – check out my last post on this thread, and you will find that I am indeed entering into a discussion with AncientGeek, albeit some time after he had “discussed” my comments in an earlier post.
Bruv – unless you can show me where you have called for Clarkson to be fired for his comments too, I’ll assume that you’re just saying this for show, and that you support Brown’s comments.
Unless you can show me where you called for Roger Douglas to halt the sale of state assets back in the 80’s I will assume that you remain a fan of free market policies.
Two years vs two decades? Tell you what bruv – show me an online blog from the 80’s and I’ll happily do so.
Now, are you being selecitve in your causes, or did you equally call for Peters and Clarkson to be sacked?
I’ll make it easier for you: in your next trol…I mean post, here, call for Clarkson to be fired, as well as Peters. Show some mettle, man, and stand by your convictions.
Your diversion tactic will not work, Clarkson is not a member of the govt and nor is he in coalition with the Labour party.
Winston is a member of the Labour led govt and as such he is under the control of dear leader, unless she sacks him immediately then she approves of the racist policy of NZ first.
“[Clarkson] is a member of the [National Party] and as such he is under the control of [John Key], unless [he] sacks him immediately then [he] approves of the racist policy of [Clarkson]”
so, Key should have sacked Clarkson or resigned himself. Eh, BigB?
Steve, The point I made still holds that Clarkson is not a minister of the crown and does not represent NZ overseas. I would have preferred he was sacked but it is different when a minister of Foreign Affairs is the leader of a party with racist policies. That is something the PM needs to act on. She is responsible for NZs reputation. No-one has discussed this point as yet so I find it offensive when people start saying I have brought no new debating points to the thread.
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The ability of the private sector to quickly establish major new projects making use of the urban and natural environment is to be supercharged by the new National-led Government. Yesterday it introduced to Parliament one of its most significant reforms, the Fast Track Approvals Bill. The Government says this will ...
This is a column to say thank you. So many of have been in touch since Mum died to say so many kind and thoughtful things. You’re wonderful, all of you. You’ve asked how we’re doing, how Dad’s doing. A little more realisation each day, of the irretrievable finality of ...
Identifying the engine type in your car is crucial for various reasons, including maintenance, repairs, and performance upgrades. Knowing the specific engine model allows you to access detailed technical information, locate compatible parts, and make informed decisions about modifications. This comprehensive guide will provide you with a step-by-step approach to ...
Introduction: The allure of racing is undeniable. The thrill of speed, the roar of engines, and the exhilaration of competition all contribute to the allure of this adrenaline-driven sport. For those who yearn to experience the pinnacle of racing, becoming a race car driver is the ultimate dream. However, the ...
Introduction Automobiles have become ubiquitous in modern society, serving as a primary mode of transportation and a symbol of economic growth and personal mobility. With countless vehicles traversing roads and highways worldwide, it begs the question: how many cars are there in the world? Determining the precise number is a ...
Maintaining a safe and reliable vehicle requires regular inspections. Whether it’s a routine maintenance checkup or a safety inspection, knowing how long the process will take can help you plan your day accordingly. This article delves into the factors that influence the duration of a car inspection and provides an ...
Mazda Motor Corporation, commonly known as Mazda, is a Japanese multinational automaker headquartered in Fuchu, Aki District, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. The company was founded in 1920 as the Toyo Cork Kogyo Co., Ltd., and began producing vehicles in 1931. Mazda is primarily known for its production of passenger cars, but ...
Your car battery is an essential component that provides power to start your engine, operate your electrical systems, and store energy. Over time, batteries can weaken and lose their ability to hold a charge, which can lead to starting problems, power failures, and other issues. Replacing your battery before it ...
In most states, you cannot register a car without a valid driver’s license. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. Exceptions to the RuleIf you are under 18 years old: In some states, you can register a car in your name even if you do not ...
Mazda, a Japanese automotive manufacturer with a rich history of innovation and engineering excellence, has emerged as a formidable player in the global car market. Known for its reputation of producing high-quality, fuel-efficient, and driver-oriented vehicles, Mazda has consistently garnered praise from industry experts and consumers alike. In this article, ...
Struts are an essential part of a car’s suspension system. They are responsible for supporting the weight of the car and damping the oscillations of the springs. Struts are typically made of steel or aluminum and are filled with hydraulic fluid. How Do Struts Work? Struts work by transferring the ...
Car registration is a mandatory process that all vehicle owners must complete annually. This process involves registering your car with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and paying an associated fee. The registration process ensures that your vehicle is properly licensed and insured, and helps law enforcement and other authorities ...
Zoom is a video conferencing service that allows you to share your screen, webcam, and audio with other participants. In addition to sharing your own audio, you can also share the audio from your computer with other participants. This can be useful for playing music, sharing presentations with audio, or ...
Building your own computer can be a rewarding and cost-effective way to get a high-performance machine tailored to your specific needs. However, it also requires careful planning and execution, and one of the most important factors to consider is the time it will take. The exact time it takes to ...
Sleep mode is a power-saving state that allows your computer to quickly resume operation without having to boot up from scratch. This can be useful if you need to step away from your computer for a short period of time but don’t want to shut it down completely. There are ...
Te Pāti Māori are demanding the New Zealand Government support an international independent investigation into mass graves that have been uncovered at two hospitals on the Gaza strip, following weeks of assault by Israeli troops. Among the 392 bodies that have been recovered, are children and elderly civilians. Many of ...
Our two-tiered system for veterans’ support is out of step with our closest partners, and all parties in Parliament should work together to fix it, Labour veterans’ affairs spokesperson Greg O’Connor said. ...
Stripping two Ministers of their portfolios just six months into the job shows Christopher Luxon’s management style is lacking, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...
Tonight’s court decision to overturn the summons of the Children’s Minister has enabled the Crown to continue making decisions about Māori without evidence, says Te Pāti Māori spokesperson for Children, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi. “The judicial system has this evening told the nation that this government can do whatever they want when ...
It appears Nicola Willis is about to pull the rug out from under the feet of local communities still dealing with the aftermath of last year’s severe weather, and local councils relying on funding to build back from these disasters. ...
The Government is making short-sighted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that will take away environmental protection in favour of short-term profits, Labour’s environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
Labour welcomes the release of the report into the North Island weather events and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that New Zealand is as prepared as it can be for the next natural disaster. ...
The Labour Party has called for the New Zealand Government to recognise Palestine, as a material step towards progressing the two-State solution needed to achieve a lasting peace in the region. ...
Some of our country’s most important work, stopping the sexual exploitation of children and violent extremism could go along with staff on the frontline at ports and airports. ...
The Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a ‘get out of jail free’ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
The government's decision to reintroduce Three Strikes is a destructive and ineffective piece of law-making that will only exacerbate an inherently biased and racist criminal justice system, said Te Pāti Māori Justice Spokesperson, Tākuta Ferris, today. During the time Three Strikes was in place in Aotearoa, Māori and Pasifika received ...
Cuts to frontline hospital staff are not only a broken election promise, it shows the reckless tax cuts have well and truly hit the frontline of the health system, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
Te Pāti Māori is disgusted at the confirmation that hundreds are set to lose their jobs at Oranga Tamariki, and the disestablishment of the Treaty Response Unit. “This act of absolute carelessness and out of touch decision making is committing tamariki to state abuse.” Said Te Pāti Māori Oranga Tamariki ...
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
A laundry list of additional costs for Tāmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi, and Mema Paremata mō Tāmaki-Makaurau, Takutai Tarsh Kemp, will travel to the Gold Coast to strengthen ties with Māori in Australia next week (15-21 April). The visit, in the lead-up to the 9th Australian National Kapa haka Festival, will be an opportunity for both ...
The Green Party has today launched a step-by-step guide to help New Zealanders make their voice heard on the Government’s democracy dodging and anti-environment fast track legislation. ...
The National Government’s proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act will mean tenants can be turfed from their homes by landlords with little notice, Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said. ...
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson is calling on all parties to support a common-sense change that’s great for the planet and great for consumers after her member’s bill was drawn from the ballot today. ...
A significant milestone has been reached in the fight to strike an anti-Pasifika and unfair law from the country’s books after Teanau Tuiono’s members’ bill passed its first reading. ...
New Zealand has today missed the opportunity to uphold the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, says James Shaw after his member’s bill was voted down in its first reading. ...
Today’s advice from the Climate Change Commission paints a sobering reality of the challenge we face in combating climate change, especially in light of recent Government policy announcements. ...
Minister for Disability Issues Penny Simmonds appears to have delayed a report back to Cabinet on the progress New Zealand is making against international obligations for disabled New Zealanders. ...
Hundreds of New Zealand families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) will benefit from a new Government focus on prevention and treatment, says Health Minister Dr Shane Reti. “We know FASD is a leading cause of preventable intellectual and neurodevelopmental disability in New Zealand,” Dr Reti says. “Every day, ...
Regional Development Minister Shane Jones today attended the official opening of Kaikohe’s new $14.7 million sports complex. “The completion of the Kaikohe Multi Sports Complex is a fantastic achievement for the Far North,” Mr Jones says. “This facility not only fulfils a long-held dream for local athletes, but also creates ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ engagements in Türkiye this week underlined the importance of diplomacy to meet growing global challenges. “Returning to the Gallipoli Peninsula to represent New Zealand at Anzac commemorations was a sombre reminder of the critical importance of diplomacy for de-escalating conflicts and easing tensions,” Mr Peters ...
Ambassador Millar, Burgemeester, Vandepitte, Excellencies, military representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen – good morning and welcome to this sacred Anzac Day dawn service. It is an honour to be here on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood – a deeply ...
Distinguished guests - It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders. Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia. Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order. “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today. I am delighted ...
The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions. “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says. “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today. “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale. “It is good ...
The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. “Our coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
“China remains a strong commercial opportunity for Kiwi exporters as Chinese businesses and consumers continue to value our high-quality safe produce,” Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says. Mr McClay has returned to New Zealand following visits to Beijing, Harbin and Shanghai where he met ministers, governors and mayors and engaged in trade and agricultural events with the New ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa. The summit is co-hosted ...
A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul. “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners. “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
Asia Pacific Report From France to Australia, university pro-Palestine protests in the United States have now spread to several countries with students pitching on-campus camps. And students at Columbia and other US universities remain defiant as campuses have witnessed the biggest protests since the anti-Vietnam war and anti-apartheid eras in ...
Analysis by Dr Bryce Edwards, Democracy Project (https://democracyproject.nz)New Zealand Government’s Fast Track legislation. Many criticisms are being made of the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill, including by this writer. But as with everything in politics, every story has two sides, and both deserve attention. It’s important to understand what the Government ...
Tara Ward talks to presenter Naomi Toilalo about the new TV show that turns food waste into a three course feast. Naomi Toilalo is standing in the warehouse at Good Neighbour Tauranga, helping unpack the two-and-a-half tonnes of rejected food that will arrive at the community support hub that day. ...
Scout is our latest Dog of the Month. This feature was offered as a reward during our What’s Eating Aotearoa PledgeMe campaign. Thank you to Scout’s human, Avril, for her support. Dog name: Scout (named after the little girl in To Kill a Mockingbird – she inherited the independent spirit ...
Megan Alatini takes us through her life in TV, including ‘terrible’ daytime TV, the class of Carol Hirschfeld and her most embarrassing TrueBliss moment. When she responded to a vague newspaper ad asking “do you have what it takes to be a popstar?” 25 years ago, Megan Alatini never guessed ...
A new exhibition in Wellington showcases the faces behind your local goods and services. Back in 1977, when I was a fine arts student at the University of Canterbury, I took a series of photographs of Christchurch shopkeepers. The photos were for a calendar – a project for my end ...
Toomaj and his resistance to tyranny through his songs have become an icon for the youth of Iran, so his sentence has hit the nation hard. Toomaj Salehi is not the first artist to pay the price for standing with the people. ...
My cousin Dylan and I spotted these big eels under the bridge that summer. We watched them lounging under the dark weed, facing into the flow of water, their mouths frozen open. Dylan and I couldn’t stop thinking about those eels. The night we went down to the creek, we ...
Newsroom, home of satire. My long-running weekly satirical series The Secret Diary has moved to Newsroom and will appear every Saturday, with Victor Billot’s wildly popular satirical Odes continuing to appear every Sunday. Diaries, Odes – while serious political columnists toil at meaningful opinions and stroke their chins to an ...
Tara Ward unravels the many nuanced layers of a cartoon about talking dogs.This is an excerpt from our weekly pop culture newsletter Rec Room. Sign up here. It’s not often an episode of a children’s cartoon has adults sobbing into their sleeves, but that’s exactly what happened this week when ...
Working as a doctor in developing countries to help communities achieve better health outcomes is nothing short of a life goal for Jessica Tater. The University of Otago medical student has her sights firmly set on joining the international humanitarian organisation Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) when she qualifies ...
There’s an island in the far reaches of Auckland’s territory, sitting off the tip of the Coromandel Peninsula, 30 minutes by air from the city or four hours on the slow boat. Aotea Great Barrier is off-grid, it has a population of fewer than a thousand people … and most ...
Asia Pacific Report An Australian author and advocate, Jim Aubrey, today led a national symbolic one minute’s silence to mark the “blood debt” owed to Papuan allies during the Second World War indigenous resistance against the invading Japanese forces. “A promise to most people is a promise,” Aubrey said in ...
Asia Pacific Report The Freedom Flotilla is ready to sail to Gaza, reports Kia Ora Gaza. All the required paperwork has been submitted to the port authority, and the cargo has been loaded and prepared for the humanitarian trip to the besieged enclave. However, organisers received word of an “administrative ...
Pacific Media Watch Palestine solidarity protesters today demonstrated at the Auckland headquarters of Television New Zealand, accusing the country’s major TV network of broadcasting “propaganda” backing Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza. About 50 protesters targeted the main entrance to the TVNZ building near Sky Tower and also picketed a side ...
Opinion by Lynley Hood. Forty years on from my 1985 Fulbright Grant, my disquiet over the war in Gaza evoked some troubling questions. The answer to my first question – What is the primary purpose of the Fulbright Programme? – was on the Fulbright NZ website. It says: US Senator, ...
The ministers responsible for green-lighting major projects need to be open about potential conflicts of interest, says Transparency International. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anastasia Powell, Professor, Family and Sexual Violence, RMIT University It has been a particularly distressing start to the year. There is little that can ease the current grief of individuals, families and communities who have needlessly lost a loved one to men’s ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gregory Moore, Senior Research Associate, School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, The University of Melbourne Lichen, the first described example of symbiosis.AdeJ Artventure/Shutterstock Once known only to those studying biology, the word symbiosis is now widely used. Symbiosis is the intimate ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kim Hemsley, Head, Childhood Dementia Research Group, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University Olena Ivanova/Shutterstock “Childhood” and “dementia” are two words we wish we didn’t have to use together. But sadly, around 1,400 ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Whiteford, Professor, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University The government’s Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee has just published its second report. It was set up by Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth in 2022 to provide: ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne The Queensland state election will be held in October. A YouGov poll for The Courier Mail, conducted April 9–17 from a sample ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Amin Naeni, PhD candidate at Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation, Deakin University There’s been much talk in recent months about what a possible second Donald Trump presidency in the United States could mean for Europe, Russia’s war in Ukraine, the ...
A brief round-up of submissions on the controversial proposed law. This is an excerpt from our weekly environmental newsletter Future Proof. Sign up here. Last week, submissions on the controversial Fast-track Approvals Bill closed just hours after the government released a list of stakeholder organisations who were sent letters advising how they could ...
A poem from Robin Peace’s new collection Detritus of Empire: feather / grass / rock. Cereal giving I see a woman’s hands, see her curious hands break a stalk as she walks through the tall prairie, the savannah, the steppe, wherever it was. See her idly bite the grass that ...
The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington.AUCKLAND1 Hemingway’s Goblet by Dermot Ross (Mary Egan Publishing, $38)A handsomely produced (debossed cover, lovely ...
The Commissioner's decision validates the longstanding efforts of the local community and ensures that Awataha Marae will be managed to serve the needs of the local community, particularly for hosting tangihanga. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tristan Salles, Associate professor, University of Sydney Examples of Australian landscapes.Unsplash Seventy thousand years ago, the sea level was much lower than today. Australia, along with New Guinea and Tasmania, formed a connected landmass known as Sahul. Around this time – ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Felicity Castagna, Lecturer, Creative Writing, Western Sydney University Day Day Market, ParramattaPhoto: Garry Trinh I live on the edge of Parramatta, Australia’s fastest-growing city, on the kind of old-fashioned suburban street that has 1950s fibros constructed in the post-war housing boom, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael Ryan, Teaching Fellow in Economics, University of Waikato GettyImagesfatido/Getty Images There is an ongoing global debate over whether the high inflation seen in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic can be lowered without a recession. New Zealand is not ...
The ‘Wicked Game’ heartthrob is in his late 60s now. That didn’t stop him putting on a lively, goofy and very sparkly show. Apart from ‘Wicked Game’, which graces a sultry playlist of mine simply called 💋, my last sustained Chris Isaak listening session took place when I was about ...
Analysis - Two ministers were stripped of portfolios in a warning to Cabinet, drama broke out at the Waitangi Tribunal, and the gang patch ban bill ran into opposition. ...
Tara Ward makes an impassioned plea for some vital pop culture merch. In April 1999, I became obsessed with a new reality television show called Popstars. Every Tuesday night, five strangers transformed into music royalty before my very eyes as Joe, Keri, Carly, Erika and Megan were chosen to form ...
PNG Post-Courier In the early hours of ANZAC Day, aerial photographs captured an impressive gathering of Australians and Papua New Guineans at Isurava in the Northern (Oro) Province. The solemn dawn service yesterday was held at a site steeped in history, where some of the fiercest battles of World War ...
The PSA is shocked that Oranga Tamariki has used the cost cutting drive to downgrade its commitment to Te Ao Māori and remove many specialist Māori roles. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ian Kemish, Adjunct Professor, School of Historical and Philosophical Inquiry, The University of Queensland There can be no more powerful symbol of the relationship between Australia and Papua New Guinea than the prime ministers of these neighbouring countries walking together on the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sharon Robinson, Distinguished Professor and Deputy Director of ARC Securing Antarctica’s Environmental Future (SAEF), University of Wollongong, University of Wollongong Andrew Netherwood Over the last 25 years, the ozone hole which forming over Antarctica each spring has started to shrink. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Viktoria Kahui, Senior Lecturer in Environmental Economics, University of Otago Getty Images/Amy Toensing Biodiversity is declining at rates unprecedented in human history. This suggests the ways we currently use to manage our natural environment are failing. One emerging concept focuses on ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Timothy Colin Bednall, Associate Professor in Management, Swinburne University of Technology marvent/Shutterstock Finding the best person to fill a position can be tough, from drafting a job ad to producing a shortlist of top interview candidates. Employers typically consider information from ...
Wondering where to host your next BYO? Whether its a small gathering or a massive party, we’ve got some recommendations. I was first introduced to the concept of BYOs at Dunedin’s India Gardens, a legendary but sadly defunct establishment, which purveyed enormous quantities of mango chicken to Aotearoa’s drunkest future ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Julien Cooper, Honorary Lecturer, Department of History and Archaeology, Macquarie University Julien Cooper The hyper-arid desert of Eastern Sudan, the Atbai Desert, seems like an unlikely place to find evidence of ancient cattle herders. But in this dry environment, my new ...
The sector says it’s hopeful her replacement Paul Goldsmith will be able to throw it a lifeline, after six months with a minister deemed missing in action, writes Catherine McGregor in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign ...
The government can't just rely on axing public sector jobs and has to do more to cut spending, says the chief economist at a free market think tank. ...
Rock The Vote NZ, known for its advocacy for minor party unity and its role within the Freedoms NZ Coalition during the 2023 General Election, celebrates this merger as a strategic enhancement of its operational strength and outreach. ...
Nearly everyone has experienced the frustration of something you use breaking and being difficult or expensive to fix. Proposed legislation could change that. It’s been raining on and off all Sunday afternoon but people are lining up outside a building in a corner of Gribblehirst Park in Sandringham, Auckland. In ...
What does a forever relationship look like when you don’t believe in marriage? And how do you celebrate it? This essay is part of our Sunday Essay series, made possible thanks to the support of Creative New Zealand.I’m going to do it, right now. I’m going to say ...
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Some of it was great – highlighting the actual Stats NZ data and contrasting itwith Brown’s assertions. But there were bits that were pretty bad – he asked Brown questions and then interupted when Brown tried to answer, and he also misrepresented some of what Brown said.
It was a vast improvement over much of what we see on TV, but I don’t think we should be too liberal with our praise when their were also significant flaws in the interview.
I can’t get that video to work here, but I watched it last night. Memorable moment (from memory):
Brown: there will be 400,000 more asian immmigrants here by 2025.
Campbell: 100,000 of them will be born here! You know that! It’s right here!
Brown: *pauses*… Yes, but…
True, true, but it sure makes a change from cats up trees and Jackie Brown reviewing shoes.
As the Steinlager ad says, “It’s good to see you take a stand where it counts”!
I am calling on Helen Clark to sack Peters as Foreign Minister, or to demand his resignation – if she doesn’t, she runs the risk of being tarred with the same brush. Brown may have spoken the words, but who calls the shots in NZ First?
http://keepingstock.blogspot.com/2008/04/time-for-clark-to-sack-peters.html
It’s good to see Peter Brown’s openly racist comments being treated with the contempt they deserve.
Sadly, raising false fears about immigration is an old, predictable ploy that too many politicians have indulged in. And not just Peters.
Here’s Don Brash, then leader of the National Party, September 2006:
http://www.listener.co.nz/issue/3460/features/6926/so_who_do_we_keep_out.html
Same message, smarter package.
So Inventory, you think that all coalition agreements, that include making a member of the minor party a government minister, include (implicitly) the requirement that the major party sign off on the minor partys election platform, and kick them out of their ministerial role/s (which would in effect probably mean an end to the coalition)?
It seems a bit odd that Helen Clark is now responsible for not only Labour’s election platform, but NZF’s and UF’s (and the Greens?).
Inventory2, disingenuous argument – you say (your blog) that Peters has said this type of stuff before, yet only call for him to be sacked now (also on this blog). This was raised when Peters got the job originally, and we haven’t suffered because of it.
Note, I’m not condoning Borwn’s message in the slightest!
I also recall that as part of Labour’s agreement with NZF, they were their own party on all matters apart from Winston’s portfolio – this is immigration and not foreign affairs, so it is entirely outside of Labour’s sphere. unless it affects Foreign Affairs…
Great interview by Comrade Campbell, for once I applaud he man.
I also agree with Tane in as much as I would love to see Campbell out a few other pollies under the blowtorch, he could start with Cullen and Clark.
However we all know he would never do such a thing so all we really have is another sycophantic kiwi jounro picking on (quite rightly as it happens)a minor party instead of being brave enough to take on dear leader.
BB. I’m not sure Campbell should really be called a Labour lackey. remember the corngate interview? No love after that.
No comment from Clark about this disgusting racist attack, the only inference one can draw from that is that she fully supports Winston firsts policy on Asian immigration.
I wonder if Comrade Campbell will mention that?
Yeah BB, given that Clark is in Europe on official business and was attending Sir Ed’s memorial last night, yours is the only logical inference.
Kind of reminds me of that 1950s legal logic: if a woman doesn’t say no it must mean she wants to have sex.
Bruv, you are of course trolling, but perhaps you could tell us which of the major party leaders have bothered with Brown’s blather? Why cross the motorway to tread on an ant?
The responses have come from the party spokespeople (Carter, Wong, Locke etc), and have been clear and unequivocal, as they should be.
Less clear are the views of various right-wingers when *other* minorities are targeted, such as Muslims. Peter Brown’s a bigoted buffoon, easy to oppose. But there’s also been a fair amount of Crosby/Textor dog-whistles (“I’m not racist but …”) which have not been so readily condemned.
Same message, smarter package.
PS Peter Brown, Bob Clarkson – what’s the difference?
I think it’s a first ! Agreement on all the most common left and right blogs that Peter Brown and his comments are outrageous and unacceptable.
Perhaps Winston would like to comment – no he’ll wait to see public reaction …. test the polls the decide whether play to the lowest sector of our population come election time – very cynical Winston but hardly surprising.
Historian
It does not matter what the other party leaders think as they are not in coalition with Labour.
Labour need Winston, without him they are finished.
Clark should sack Winston immediately if she is at all concerned about this racist attack, she has not done so so she obviously agrees with him.
Bruv
The answer is in the question you ignored.
Peter Brown, Bob Clarkson – what’s the difference?
And unlike Brown, Clarkson is in Key’s own party. Why was he not sacked? And do you give a toss about racism really, except for trolling?
Should Key have resigned when Clarkson said that people who wear headscarves should “go back to Iraq or Islam”?
An this man helps prop up the corrupt and desperate Labour Party. You leftards should immediatley demand Winston declare that this policy is not part of NZ First policy.
It was wonderful to see Campbell rip this prick to shreds and I cannot believe that he is even in Parliament let alone party of the Labour Government! But the reality is that he is one of yours. Do you mind being propped up by a racist such as Brown?
[we do oppose Brown’s racist comments. hence the post. SP]
Monty
Peter Brown, Bob Clarkson – what’s the difference?
Monty I agree with you, it is disgusting that the leader of the Labour party and PM of NZ agrees with the policy of NZ first.
Her failure to sack Winston is a national embarrassment, it is clear that she is in full “whatever it takes” mode given that it is election year.
Are you going to keep running away, Bruv?
Peter Brown, Bob Clarkson – what’s the difference?
Is…is this why you’re so angry big bruv? Given Winston has used this same campaign issue since he were knee ‘igh to grass’oppers & all?
I mean his coalition with National must have really stung, and then for him to get back in, this time with Labour – you must feel positively disenfranchised, is there nowhere you can turn? Oh wait – what’s that? It’s..it’s The KIWI PARTY ! 😀
Cap: ‘fringe of’ – big bruv’s relationship with reality?
BB: And exactly where did you see Helen agreeing with Brown?
Provide us a link…
OR would you like to admit that you just made that up with your usual conspiracy paranoid logic?
captcha: 1909 model
sound like BB
The issue is Helen Clark’s agreement with the racist policy of Winston first.
If she was not a racist she would have demanded the resignation of the foreign affairs minister, she has not done so.
“Whatever it takes”
Did you demand Clarkson’s resignation for his comments, Bruv?
“whatever it takes” – to be a troll. Turns out it doesn’t take much by way of intelligence.
Bruv
Peter Brown is not a Labour MP. Bob Clarkson is a National MP.
Peter Brown is not a member of the government. Bob Clarkson is a National Party spokesman, with portfolios.
According to your brilliant logic, John Key must therefore be a bigger racist than Helen Clark. (I don’t think Key is racist myself, but if you insist …)
I am not PM Matthew however if I were then I can guarantee you that I would be sacking Peters immediately.
The difference is that I do not have a stated policy of “whatever it takes”
So John Key should have sacked Clarkson months ago by your ‘logic’. You agree with this right, Clarkson should be a gonner? How is your heartfelt letter writing campaign to that effect going?
Oh, a stated policy? Which portfolio is it in? I wouldn’t mind the link to the policy, cheers champ.
havent had a good look through kiwiblog yet, but im sure looking forward to redbaiter trying to defend him. (though redbaiter could still be running around with his tail between his legs since his embarasment over the BSA/californication post)
Bob Clarkson is rough around the edges. I cannot remember his commnets but also understand he is the type of person who would say such a thing – but a couple of pints
1. Bob is not espousing National Party Policy – That racist Brown is. Brown was making factually incorrect statement and gross generalisations about a major part of out population who normally are good hard-working and industrious citizens.
2. Two worngs do not make it right.
3. Given the Labour party have in the past vilified other minority groups (Chinless scarf wearers, extreme christians, lawyers and accountants who play golf) and Labour have failed to come out and demand a retraction I think we can assume that Labour actually support Winston’s policy (afterall Asians tend to vote National)
I think the facts speak for themselves. Labour are happy for NZF poodle to do their dirty work for them.
Bob is not espousing National Party Policy – That racist Brown is.
Brown’s promoting National Party policy? That’s news to me, I thought he was promoting NZ First’s.
Labour have failed to come out and demand a retraction I think we can assume that Labour actually support Winston’s policy
You assume too much. It’s not Labour’s business to demand NZ First retract its policy, but it is their business to state a view. And they have – their relevant spokesmen have condemned it.
Monty
That is a really desperate attempt to smear the Labour Party. Get back to me when you can back up your lies with a shred of evidence (which you can’t, because there is none).
Here is clear evidence you obviously didn’t bother to read, earlier in the thread. The views of the previous National party leader:
http://www.listener.co.nz/issue/3460/features/6926/so_who_do_we_keep_out.html
Note his comments on New Zealanders feeling “threatened” by Asian immigration.
Remember the line about immigrants who “spit in the street”? That was Don Brash in 2005 (written by one of his Hollow Men, no doubt).
Thanks for the video. It’s very revealing that he has nothing to say to Asian-New Zealanders on his comments, and hadn’t even read the report well enough to see that most of the population of Asian-New Zealanders predicted will be born in New Zealand.
I’m also highly worried that he can’t justify why he thinks Asian-New Zealanders won’t speak English despite the fact that we now require their proficiency with English language to be tested, and has not expressed any lack of confidence in that process.
No worries Ari. By the way, just added you to our blogroll. Apologies for the delay in doing so.
Monty: “Asians tend to vote National”
Again, where’s your evidence? The irony will go way over your head, but for somebody who claims to be concerned about racism, you sure love the empty generalisations.
The survey below reported 47% Labour, 40% National. However, it is several years old now, so perhaps you have more recent data? Or do you just pick lazy prejudices out of your arse, and pretend they are facts?
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED0409/S00081.htm
BB:
Yes and it is easy to see why. Looking at your comments, they lack a certain clarity about lines of control in and between party organizations.
Great video.
I think it is an important point that has been made that as Winston is part of the Government, the views of his party are relevant. Particularly as minister of Foreign Affairs. Can he now adequately discharge his obligations given his party’s stated policies?
Others have made the point and have been denigrated for doing so. However I think as Prime Minister, Helen Clark needs to think long and hard about the effect of having as Foreign Minister a man who leads a party with disgustingly racist views. Some may feel that it is sufficient for party spokespeople to condemn Peter Browns statement on behalf of NZ First. However Helen Clark needs to worry about the reputation NZ has internationally. She should give strong consideration to a Prime Ministerial statement of condemnation if not an outright sacking. It is simply unacceptable for her to be putting Labour’s fortunes ahead of NZ’s reputation.
MC: I think you’re a bit confused as well. It wasn’t Winston who made the comments. I haven’t seen it in any party policy from NZF.
As far as I can tell (by analogy, and stretching it a bit) you’re saying that Key should stand down as leader of the opposition because Burka Bob makes rascist comments. Or he shouldn’t get the security briefings as leader of the opposition…..
Is that what you are saying?
BeShakey said “So Inventory, you think that all coalition agreements, that include making a member of the minor party a government minister, include (implicitly) the requirement that the major party sign off on the minor partys election platform, and kick them out of their ministerial role/s (which would in effect probably mean an end to the coalition)?”
Not at all BeShakey. The point I am making is that Clark appointing Peters, well known as a loose cannon, as Foreign Minister was the price of NZ First enabling her to form a government. However, with that came risk. The role of Foreign Minister is a crucial one – Peters is effectively the “shop window” for the New Zealand government on the international diplomatic circuit. To have as Foreign Minister the leader of a xenophobic party is not a good look, and unless Clark distances herself from Peters in strong terms, she runs the risk of being seen as endorsing the NZ First anti-Asian rhetoric.
Anyone who believes that Brown’s outburst was not sanctioned by Peters is naive in the extreme. Peters has a well-documented track record in Asian-bashing, and whether by accident or design, his rhetoric is normally delivered in the run-up to an election. Labour markets itself as a party which is “ethnic-friendly”; being associated with Winston Peters and his party can only be bad news for Labour.
AncientGeek said “MC: I think you’re a bit confused as well. It wasn’t Winston who made the comments. I haven’t seen it in any party policy from NZF.”
Get real AG! You know that Winston rules NZ First with an iron hand, and that comments like this would never be made without him giving the ok. I have no doubt that these are Winston’s words, just like the “rows of ostentatious houses” comments from 1996.
AG – This has come from the spokesperson for immigration for NZ First and Winston has not distanced himself from the statement. I believe it is fair to infer that this is policy unless otherwise stated. This is also historically accurate with NZF policy.
Bob Clarkson although an idiot for making the stupid comments he made is not responsible for New Zealand’s image overseas – he is not minister of Foreign Affairs. John Key can discipline him however he feels is right – his decision does not affect New Zealand’s international reputation so much as a Foreign Minister leading a party with racist policies.
You say I’m confused. Next time bring the crayons and I’ll think you’ll understand a little better eh mate.
So you have some kite-flying. Peter Brown from the clip I saw, was quite clear that it is his opinion.
Personally I think the statement was ridiculous as well as being stupidly racist. Peter Brown deserves condemnation and he has observably gotten it. Hopefully he will get dropped as NZF’s immigration spokesperson.
But to jump from that to dismissing Winston requires so many steps between that you’d have to be a conspiracy nutter to make them. It jumps across so many lines of responsibility that you could make equivalent examples from any party from some of their resident idiots saying things to the media.
Face it – it is a hell of stretch from Peter Brown expressing his opinion, to dismissing Winston (not that I favour him either).
I2:
Crap. Think back 10 years to the Nat/NZF coalition. Think back four (?) years to Woolerston. If I could be bothered, I could probably pick a dozen examples including Ron Mark.
Internal discipline inside NZF is just marginally better than the Greens.
AG – Has Winston said he doesn’t support the statement? No. Did Peter Brown say he has the support of Winston Peters in the video? Yes. Has Winston Peters said similar things himself in election years? Yes. Did Peter Brown say he was acting in accordance with NZF policy? Yes.
To say Winston Peters is not responsible here is to hide your head in the sand. However things change considerably if he comes out and condemns the statement. Anything less is an endorsement worthy of his sacking.
I don’t doubt that Winston endorses Brown’s comments. NZ First are doing what they’ve always done – appeal to rednecks. The only difference is that this time it was done without Peters’ demagogue skills, a bumbling amateur instead of the old pro.
It is no different from the message that got Peters up to 30% in the polls in the 1990’s, no different from when his star was rising, no different from when he entered a coalition with National, no different from when Brash courted him in 2005, no different from when John Key said last year that Peters could be Foreign Minister in his government, and for exactly the same reason as Labour – because they needed the seats.
New Zealand First’s poison has been there for 15 years now. It’s a bit late to start claiming moral high ground and demanding resignations. Some of us got off our arses and marched and campaigned and protested against Peters and his bigotry years ago. If you joined in then, credit to you. If you didn’t, spare me the lecture now.
I hate racism. But I hate posturing, pretend anti-racism almost as much. And given the silence – or even approval – on the Right when OTHER minority groups are targeted, I suspect that a lot of the “outrage” is pretty damn artificial.
If anyone doubts this, spend five minutes checking out the blogs (usual suspects) from when the Somalian hi-jacker hit the news. Not much anti-racism then.
Historian: That was almost a perfect description of how I feel about it as well. Especially the last three paragraphs.
NZF caters to a particular subset of the population that I don’t care for much. It is a set of attitudes about superficial differences that I detest. However the only way to clear it out of society is to do it slowly. The common racism of 30 years ago is not tolerated as easily by the current generations. It will be less tolerated in the future.
Like it or not, Peter Brown probably has support for his attitudes. He is in the right generation to have caught a high level of asian phobia from the war and post-war propaganda, plus the end of empire (he was born in 1939). The attitudes he espoused are common in that generation. However there is often a disjunction between what is said and what is done. You hear a lot of rhetoric about generalizations, and quite different actions.
But it isn’t idle rhetoric and empty gestures that will change it. It is pushing the message over and over across time and across generations. You sure as hell don’t try to suppress people talking about it, because it just goes underground, and resurrects in a more virulent form later. You do suppress the idiots who act on it.
I’ve been fighting racism for my adult life, because I could never understand how anyone could be ignorant enough to believe its underlying premises. I get a bit pissed seeing dick heads trivializing it for trivial political opportunities.
AG – they say that confession is good for the soul, so here goes. For much of my adult life, I would have been one of those that you were fighting. But things change, and a “mid-life crisis” (amazing how two failed marriages can affect you!) led to a paradigm shift in my attitude towards other cultures. That’s probably why I am so offended by Peter Brown’s tirade the other day. His venom was especially offensive when it is considered that he himself is a first-generation immigrant who has enjoyedf the largesse of New Zealand.
But make no mistake. These were not Peter Brown’s words. New Zealand First made immigration a key policy right from its genesis at the 1993 election, and the xenophobia has been present in the party throughout its life. New Zealand First has only ever had one leader – Winston Peters. If you do not agree that Brown was articulating Peters’s views, I would suggest that you are being very charitable to Peters. I am not so charitable, and believe that New Zealand’s international reputation will be harmed by Peters’s continued presence as Foreign Minister. And I stand by my claim that Helen Clark runs the risk of “guilt by association” if she does not sanction Peters. Then again, she knew she was taking a risk when she appointed him………
Another day passes and Clark has still refuses to do anything about this disgusting racist attack.
“Whatever it takes”
Another day passes and the right wing trolls still waste acres of space on this blog repeating points that have already been answered ad nauseam.
They never actually enter into a discussion (the whole point of blogs), just make the same mad statements over and over again.
The phrase “get a life” springs to mind
deemac – check out my last post on this thread, and you will find that I am indeed entering into a discussion with AncientGeek, albeit some time after he had “discussed” my comments in an earlier post.
Bruv – unless you can show me where you have called for Clarkson to be fired for his comments too, I’ll assume that you’re just saying this for show, and that you support Brown’s comments.
Another day passes and the left keep making excuses.
I know Clark is right into gutter politics yet even I did not think that she would go as low as this.
Matthew
Unless you can show me where you called for Roger Douglas to halt the sale of state assets back in the 80’s I will assume that you remain a fan of free market policies.
Two years vs two decades? Tell you what bruv – show me an online blog from the 80’s and I’ll happily do so.
Now, are you being selecitve in your causes, or did you equally call for Peters and Clarkson to be sacked?
I’ll make it easier for you: in your next trol…I mean post, here, call for Clarkson to be fired, as well as Peters. Show some mettle, man, and stand by your convictions.
In Big Bruv’s world, anything that you don’t explicitly condemn you love boundlessly.
Matthew
Your diversion tactic will not work, Clarkson is not a member of the govt and nor is he in coalition with the Labour party.
Winston is a member of the Labour led govt and as such he is under the control of dear leader, unless she sacks him immediately then she approves of the racist policy of NZ first.
“[Clarkson] is a member of the [National Party] and as such he is under the control of [John Key], unless [he] sacks him immediately then [he] approves of the racist policy of [Clarkson]”
so, Key should have sacked Clarkson or resigned himself. Eh, BigB?
I am staggered that you guys are happy to defend the racist policy of NZ first and to defend the inaction of dear leader.
At what point would you say enough?, does Clark have to shoot somebody first or would that be OK as long as it was an Asian person.
IrishBill says: One more attempt to misrepresent our arguments like this and you will be banned.
Big Bruv
I have read attacks on refugees and multi-cultural society by “Big Bruv” over on Kiwiblog. If you are the same “Big Bruv”, then you are a racist.
Therefore you must now sack yourself. Goodbye.
Steve, The point I made still holds that Clarkson is not a minister of the crown and does not represent NZ overseas. I would have preferred he was sacked but it is different when a minister of Foreign Affairs is the leader of a party with racist policies. That is something the PM needs to act on. She is responsible for NZs reputation. No-one has discussed this point as yet so I find it offensive when people start saying I have brought no new debating points to the thread.
Irish
That would be right, you chaps are always keen to ban anybody who does not agree with your policy.
So it is OK for you guys to misrepresent National party policy yet you are not going to let anybody question the policy of the Labour party.