Catching up with Key

Written By: - Date published: 8:36 am, March 14th, 2015 - 140 comments
Categories: john key - Tags: , ,

You can only bungle and lie for so long before people get sick of it. Tracy Watkins is a loyal Key fan, she’s trying to warn him:

John Key burning up political capital following Edward Snowden revelations

The bluster and bravado is also a side to Key that is growing increasingly familiar. It is founded in National’s firm belief that the public will buy his version of events over the media or his opponents any day.

Given his ongoing popularity National’s confidence in Key’s huge store of political capital helping it ride out controversy is justifiable. But political capital is not limitless. And Key has become increasingly cavalier about squandering it on silly stuff.

Nobody likes being wrong, of course, and especially in politics when the stakes are much higher.But it seems to be the curse of all third-term prime ministers that they eventually come to believe they are infallible.

Matthew Hooton is a true blue Nat, but seems to have mood swings when it comes to Key. His piece in the yesterday’s NBR (paywalled) is apparently pretty brutal:

https://twitter.com/MatthewHootonNZ/status/576128548001353728

Or consider this piece from yesterday’s Panel on RNZ. Steve McCabe spends 3 minutes laying in to Key:

I’m really concerned about a man that reneges on promises that are so easy to make, about resigning if something turns out to be true, when it does, suddenly saying – yeah, actually that’s going to be a bit awkward really, I’m not going to bother after all. And then he starts splitting hairs and semanticing his way out of the promise that he made. And it just disappoints me beyond belief.

Why is he still Prime Minister? It’s been seven years, three terms, three elections – why is New Zealand still voting this man in to power?

Seems like it’s all starting to catch up with Key at last.

140 comments on “Catching up with Key ”

  1. Michael 1

    I have definitely noticed a change particularly in the way the MSM has been reporting.

  2. Lanthanide 2

    When Key promised to resign if surveillance was happening, Greenwald, Hager et al should have done a rush job to get the proof out. If they had struck while the iron was hot, it would have been very embarrassing for Key. I’m not sure if he actually would have resigned, but the GCSB bill was being debated at the time, and an obvious lie like that in front of the public so far ahead of the election would have tarnished his image.

    • Draco T Bastard 2.1

      I’m not sure if he actually would have resigned, but the GCSB bill was being debated at the time, and an obvious lie like that in front of the public so far ahead of the election would have tarnished his image.

      He wouldn’t have but, yeah, if the latest information had come out then then we would probably not have a National government now.

    • Colonial Rawshark 2.2

      When Key promised to resign if surveillance was happening, Greenwald, Hager et al should have done a rush job to get the proof out.

      Thing is that these guys are into considered, methodical reporting, and for better or worse, they don’t play the day to day or week to week media cycle game.

      • fisiani 2.2.1

        The only flaw in the argument is that Honest John NEVER promised to resign if surveillance was happening. Surveillance of some sort for some people has always been happening. Always. Good try to smear Honest John but complete face palm.Must try harder.

        • freedom 2.2.1.1

          Bit odd that Honest John himself refutes your lame claim

          Question: You’ve said you’ll resign if there’s mass surveillance by the GCSB.

          NZ PM John Key: Yep

          http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1503/S00076/john-key-on-mass-collection-versus-mass-surveillance.htm

          • fisiani 2.2.1.1.1

            Read my comment and the main post again sunshine. Spot any reference to “mass”. Honest John is correct. There is no mass surveillance.

            • Lanthanide 2.2.1.1.1.1

              Just how ‘mass’ does ‘mass surveillance’ need to be, fisi? Can you give us a concrete number?

              190,000 NZers holiday in the Pacific Islands every year.

              • fisiani

                Probably the same number as the number of angels who can dance on a pinhead.

                • Lanthanide

                  Right, so you’re not actually being serious, and admit that you’re just deflecting. Got it.

                  • hoom

                    Say someone copies your Hard Drive, puts it all in a database, runs it through a program automatically categorising, making associations with various code words/other people & indexing so that it can be easily searched.

                    If nobody actually searches the database in a way that brings up your stuff, have you been spied on or not?

                    • Lanthanide

                      “If nobody actually searches the database in a way that brings up your stuff, have you been spied on or not?”

                      I personally might not have been. But the fact the database exists, and the search was run, suggests that *someone’s* data was brought up.

                      So maybe I wasn’t “spied on”, but someone else was. Likely this will be “many” someones, rather than just a few individuals (or they would have just spied on those individuals directly, right?), hence mass surveillance.

                      And, personally, I don’t really care if I am spied on. I don’t think there is anything interesting or remarkable about my life in the slightest. But that doesn’t mean I support mass surveillance either.

            • freedom 2.2.1.1.1.2

              So … the mass collection is just collection and it is not mass surveillance because the data collected is only looked at (i.e: surveilled) one bit at a time

              – that is a fair assessment of your reasoning isn’t it fisiani ?

            • Draco T Bastard 2.2.1.1.1.3

              Wow, the RWNJs really do go to extreme lengths and twisting of words to defend their unethical, irresponsible and lying leaders don’t they?

            • Tracey 2.2.1.1.1.4

              ” Honest John NEVER promised to resign if surveillance was happening”
              Fisiani

              ” Question: You’ve said you’ll resign if there’s mass surveillance by the GCSB.

              NZ PM John Key: Yep “

        • Leftie 2.2.1.2

          @ fisiani. Who is the ” honest John” you are referring to?

          Tripping over his own lies on a daily basis, John key is the most dishonest, most deceitful, and most untrustworthy PM and politician this country has ever seen.

          • fisiani 2.2.1.2.1

            This is a common and persistent delusion of the Left. Congruent dissonance. Do you hear voices? No matter how many posts try to allege what you have done it fails to fit with the patently obvious reality of the most honest, truthful and trustworthy PM and politician this country has ever seen.
            You seem to believe that your viewpoint is accurate. It’s not. It’s a minority delusional belief. Honest John swept to power in 2008 dislodging the despised previous regime. He held power in 2011 and further gained in 2014 almost achieving an unheard of parliamentary majority.
            Do not worry. Your delusional state will probably not last. Being of the Centre and clearly not of the Right and sharing the opinions of the majority of New Zealand he and I look forward to the Golden Years of prosperity that lie ahead.

            • rawshark-yeshe 2.2.1.2.1.1

              @fizzy …where can I buy that great stuff you must be smoking ?? It’s beyond simply hallucinating reality ….. would love to believe we have years of golden prosperity ahead of us .. so fizzy, where can I buy it, or do you just stick it in and smoke it ?

            • Tracey 2.2.1.2.1.2

              “Honest John NEVER promised to resign if surveillance was happening. ” Fisiani

              ” Question: You’ve said you’ll resign if there’s mass surveillance by the GCSB.

              NZ PM John Key: Yep “

              • fisiani

                Surely you can spot the missing word. Have another look. Go on. I reckon you will find it. Clue : rhymes with class.
                No one is claiming that our intelligence service has stopped working.

            • aj 2.2.1.2.1.3

              ” Congruent dissonance”

              lol

              That’s a psychological condition I don’t think any of us have heard of, bud. You need to get your psychological phenomenon right

            • North 2.2.1.2.1.4

              “Congruent” Fizzy Anus ? “Cognitive” maybe ? But who could expect a weirdly zealous worshipper at the temple of TheGodKey to have half a notion of “cognition” ? Would you kill for your god Fizzy ?

              • Rodel

                Congruent dissonance is an oxymoron

                congruent (adjective) – in harmony:
                dissonance – (noun_) -lack of harmony

                oxymoron (noun)a figure of speech in which apparently contradictory terms appear in conjunction (from oxumōros ‘ pointedly foolish.’)
                oxy- denoting sharpness:
                moron (informal ) -a medical term denoting an adult with a mental age of about 8–12)

                Omit the ‘oxy’ part and just leave it at moron.

                Oh and BTW real New Zealanders rhyme class with arse! Not ‘ass’ which is the American pronunciation.

            • Grace Miller 2.2.1.2.1.5

              What a sad troll. Keep taking the meds, fisi. You obviously need them, on Planet Key. This venal, self-serving liar is sadly, our PM.

        • b waghorn 2.2.1.3

          @ fisi Look you delusional little fuck wit no one in this country thinks key is honest so find a better argument or fuck off you horrible little fuck stain.

          • fisiani 2.2.1.3.1

            What we’re not prepared to accept are pointless personal attacks, or tone or language that has the effect of excluding others.

            It seems that Policy only applies to dissenters.

            • One Anonymous Bloke 2.2.1.3.1.1

              Obviously you missed the point of the comment. Even media shills are openly questioning “honest John”‘s bona fides. You are being invited to find a better argument, and failing that, to change the sheets.

              I may have that last part wrong.

            • North 2.2.1.3.1.2

              Oh Oh Oh Oh how noble and proper of you Fizzy Anus ! “Exclusion……” you cry ? Like you give a fuck about anything other than that ponce you beatify so outlandishly…….

            • b waghorn 2.2.1.3.1.3

              It was my personal view that you fuck off ,I in no way was suggesting you be banned . My only shame is that I let you’re pathetic baiting get the reaction that you probably aim to get.

              • fisiani

                I do not indulge in baiting. I merely give an opinion. How is that baiting? Do you understand the difference between infer and imply? You are inferring baiting.
                Given that my opinions are so accurate so often and contradictory to your own I can understand if you choose to debate. I welcome healthy debate. Do the posters and moderators agree with your abuse and foul mouthed efforts to stop me posting? It appears so. No one is calling you out thus implying that others can dish out abuse with impunity.
                I do not agree that John Key’s popularity is on the wane. Ebb and flow does not mark the tide going out. Look at the big picture. I see John Key having six or more terms if he wishes no matter what happens in Northland, no matter what rubbish Hager writes.
                Can you handle that opinion?

                • b waghorn

                  At least you didn’t call key honest. I’m fully aware that he’s popular with enough people that when you combine that with a bit of boundary shifting , propping up failed parties and running black ops out of his office he’s managed to retain power. Also one of his strong points is he understands greed and selfishness and how to play on voters greed and selfishness to get them to vote for him

                  • fisiani

                    Our Prime Minister The Honourable JohnKey is Honest John in my book and probably with most New Zealanders. Many here have tried to claim that he has lied but their alleged evidence is merely opinion and rewriting and re-interpenetrating his words. Nothings stands up. For instance John Key clearly never said he would resign if there was surveillance. How else would we know about the 40-60 ISIL supporters in NZ. Precise language conveys accurate meaning. That is not pedantry. When are you going to apologise?

                    • b waghorn

                      I am sorry to any one other than you who may be offended by my rich language , you can infer what ever floats your boat from that.

                    • fisiani

                      That’s not an apology. You now appear to be sober. So just apologise and I’ll move on.

                    • b waghorn

                      I have heard stories of how right wingers have lower IQ than left wingers , I’ve never liked the theory but the fact you think you’re still in with a chance of an apology makes me wonder if there isn’t some truth in it.
                      BTW I was sober at 5.22 last night .

      • Lanthanide 2.2.2

        Yes, I guess their motives are not the same as mine.

      • mike 2.2.3

        he wouldnt resign what ever comes out key will just lie more even getting caught doesnt bother him the public pefer the key version so the lie is the reality truth doesnt matter any longer.

  3. jenny kirk 3

    “Seems like it’s all starting to catch up with Key at last.”

    We can only hope, and wait ………..

    • Leftie 3.1

      +1 Jenny.

    • Once was Tim 3.2

      +1 …. but don’t hold your breathe. I just walked thru’ the streets of Wellington. I I I me me me me (all that Key & Co stand for) was evident everywhere. From the damaged (brand new) rubbish bins outside every alcohol pumping station with trendy names where every Key-voting bogun and his ‘missus’ frequent 4 nights a week, to the Masters of the Universe that inhabit the upper floors of our skoi scrapuz in the foynenshul distrik.
      It seems the Natzis are a ‘broad church’ too.

  4. Lionel 4

    Agree Jenny.Believe it when and if we see it

  5. Draco T Bastard 5

    The Orwellian Re-Branding of “Mass surveillance” as merely “Bulk Collection”

    Just as the Bush administration and the U.S. media re-labelled “torture” with the Orwellian euphemism “enhanced interrogation techniques” to make it more palatable, the governments and media of the Five Eyes surveillance alliance are now attempting to re-brand “mass surveillance” as “bulk collection” in order to make it less menacing (and less illegal). In the past several weeks, this is the clearly coordinated theme that has arisen in the U.S., UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand as the last defense against the Snowden revelations, as those governments seek to further enhance their surveillance and detention powers under the guise of terrorism.

    Bold mine.

    Key’s and this governments obfuscation have been noted around the world.

    • Colonial Rawshark 5.1

      According to Ray McGovern, CIA whistleblower, the term “enhanced interrogation” is a direct translation from German Gestapo torture manuals, as are many of the actual techniques used by the USA.

      • fisiani 5.1.1

        And we have a Godwin winner at just 5.1

        • Draco T Bastard 5.1.1.1

          There’s no Godwin there even if Godwin actually meant anything which it doesn’t as I’ve explained to you before.

          • fisiani 5.1.1.1.1

            For your edification. Which part of German Gestapo fails to meet the criteria?
            http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Godwin%27s_law

            • Draco T Bastard 5.1.1.1.1.1

              Godwin’s law

              “As an online discussion grows longer, the probability of a comparison involving Nazis or Hitler approaches 1”

              CV didn’t compare anything. He merely stated where a particular term and many CIA techniques came from and that source shouldn’t be surprising even for an ignoramus like yourself as the US, UK and Russia did, as a matter of fact, import many techniques, knowledge and people from Nazi Germany after the war.

              • fisiani

                And we have another Godwin winner. Give the lad a coconut

                • freedom

                  The world according to fisiani,

                  No person at any time anywhere anyhow can ever again refer to anything relating to, or referencing, facts of history that might mention Hitler and/or his actions, orders, staff, projects, battles, experiments, decisions, etc etc etc because of an internet meme.

                  • Colonial Rawshark

                    You just used the H name

                    GODWINNED!!!! 😛

                    • greywarshark

                      I’m so ignorant I thought it was Macbeth that was the bad luck name. (Going on stage? Break a leg you-all). Probably even using capital M is verboten.

                • Once was Tim

                  Fizz – I’m planning ahead. I’m trying to think of the perfek Xmas present for you. The only thing I can think of is a Selfie Stick – maybe alongside a few cables and adpaters that’ll enable you to maintain and assist with your virtual world – I can build them – I have the expertise – we can even call them a ‘gateway to a better good’.
                  But …… God Made Man in your image after all – in the Image of You (alongside anyone that agrees with You and Thine Agenda). I’ve come to realise you are definitely one of the Chosen Ones – alongside Jamie-Lee (if that’s not already You), and the Great White WonderBoy Stephen Joyce.
                  The second tier (of course) will be a Hooter or two and the poor bitches they’re married to, a Gower (of One), and whilst I choose your present, I’m mindful of the fact you’re still figuring out whether they look ok in Black with shades of red, or whether they should be pulled from the Brown and Beige to a delightful shade of pale blue.

        • Clemgeopin 5.1.1.2

          The Godwin meme reference is a propaganda technique used by crooks who divert serious discussion by belittling truth in order to hide unpleasant facts.

          Guess who said that.

          • Draco T Bastard 5.1.1.2.1

            The Godwin meme reference is a propaganda technique used by crooks who divert serious discussion by belittling truth in order to hide unpleasant facts.

            QFT

            • Clemgeopin 5.1.1.2.1.1

              Thanks! Glad you liked my own spur of the moment made up quote. But it is true that some smart arses, invariably RWNJobs, use that Godwin meme to divert and show that they are not only smart arses but foolishly think that they are also being too clever!

              • felix

                felix’s law:

                The correlation between a person’s ability to comprehend the meaning of “Godwin’s Law” and the likelyhood of them proclaiming it to be in effect is precisely inverse.

    • Tracey 5.2

      and it is the job of our media to bring such suggestions to the mainstream alongside the explanations of our leaders and allow the public to decide.

      example, when Greenwald made factual statements based on documentation, key was asked for comment and decided Greenwald was DotCom’s paid “henchman”. What was Greenwald’s response tot hat? Did the same articles reflect his response?

  6. dv 6

    AND Roughans column
    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=11416930

    National trots out smoke-and-mirrors statistics and old promises.

    The rest of the article is seriously scathing, Well worth a read.

    • ianmac 6.1

      OOps John Armstrong’s Columm dv. But fancy John picking up on that stuff!

    • Draco T Bastard 6.2

      Quoting the article:

      The survey, however, stipulates that anyone who does paid work for as little as one hour a week is classed as being in employment. When people talk about “new” jobs, they usually mean full-time or part-time with a reasonable number of hours. We simply do not know what types of jobs were actually created.

      I’ve been thinking about this for awhile and I think we need a new definition of employment. After some more thought I’ve come to this:

      A person is employed if they have enough work to generate enough income to keep them out of poverty.

      • Karen 6.2.1

        I was pleased to see Armstong pick this up as most media (and the general public) assume the figures from the Household Labour Survey are referring to full-time jobs. “Employed” should mean a minimum of 30 hours a week.

      • greywarshark 6.2.2

        @ DTB
        Good point +100

      • Colonial Rawshark 6.2.3

        The fact of the matter is that governments are now regularly acting to deceive people, not to inform them. This is like the US Govt saying that unemployment there is down to 5.5%. Which it is, if you refuse to count the actual number of unemployed people.

        Currently a massive 93M working age Americans are not employed.

        It’s self serving lies and more of it.

        • Draco T Bastard 6.2.3.1

          The fact of the matter is that governments are now regularly acting to deceive people, not to inform them.

          True and we have to point out that governments now have to deceive the people because what they do only benefits the corporations and the rich at everyone else’s expense despite the fact that they’ve been saying the exact opposite for the last 40 years.

      • Ch-ch Chiquita 6.2.4

        Is there a way to find out the true numbers? For example, can information from IRD be obtained so that you know how much PAYE was paid last year and how much this year? 7500 new real jobs should have an impact on the $ being paid to IRD.

      • BlueSky 6.2.5

        ‘A person is employed if they have enough work to generate enough income to keep them out of poverty.’

        And their dependents.

        Otherwise good point.

  7. ianmac 7

    For many months Key has known what revelations would be made. So his current performance re 5 Eyes is what he/they decided was the least damaging. Dance on the head of a pin. Keep saying that the “advice I have been given….” so that if more conclusive stuff comes out its not his fault.
    Wonder why the Head of GCSB resigned?

  8. Colonial Rawshark 8

    It’s quite likely that the change in media tone corresponds to a recent belief and approval amongst the mainstream media that Little and co. would be a safe pair of hands in charge of the country.

    • Sable 8.1

      Do you mean a new brand of pro US corporate lackey that will follow in Keys footsteps? If so I think you are on the money…

    • Tracey 8.2

      and perhaps word has got round about how mass “collection” will impact THEIR ability to do THEIR jobs.

  9. Sable 9

    Now that brand Key is becoming increasingly toxic his supporters including those in the MSM are deserting him. Wonder if anyone inside National is sharpening their knives?

    • Yes Sable, she is blonde and wears a skirt.

      Heaven help us all if she were to take the top job.
      That would be even worse than J Key.

      • ianmac 9.1.1

        Paula Bennett is not blond is she?

      • Sanctuary 9.1.2

        Collin’s image is everything Key’s propaganda machine tries to make him not – divisive, arrogant, sneering and bullying. I welcome her becoming leader of National, because for every adoring fanboy (and they are almost always males) she has half a dozen who loath her. She seems particularly unpopular with women. Where Key has assiduously courted Joe and Jane Sixpack who listen to the Edge, Collin’s appeal is to the talkback Taliban.

      • David H 9.1.3

        But I should imagine the more ‘reasonable’ type of Nat would be scared back to NZF and Lab if she got the top job. the poll ratings would plummet

  10. Paul 10

    Notice how uncomfortable Jim Mora was when McCabe criticized Key, then how happy he was to discuss the very light topic Lisa Scott brought up about middle age.
    Says so much about Mora’s politics.
    And his ability to front a serious news show at 5 p.m.

    Would love to hear Morrissey’s take on this.

    • North 10.1

      I noticed it particularly Paul……some implied remonstration along these lines – “Well, you’ve nailed your colours to the mast there Steve McCabe !” Pompously yet Indulgently noting that a mild heresy had been committed. Whereas that fuckwit Neil Miller with the glidingly overbearing, superior voice can get away with all sorts of shit without challenge. Mora just muses, soothed.

      Mora’s a fucking old passive-aggressive carpet slippers Tory. Shouldn’t be allowed anywhere near public radio. Because he’s partial and dishonest.

  11. Clemgeopin 11

    At the end of Christ Trotter’s excellent article about Key’s lying, in the Bowalley Road blog website, http://bowalleyroad.blogspot.co.nz/2015/03/not-understood.html
    a reader had the following comment and a link for signing a petition to John Key:

    COMMENT:

    Alma Rae from Christchurch:

    If anyone’s getting sick of Key’s endless lies, there’s a petition addressed to him asking him to get treatment for pathological lying:

    LINK:

    https://www.change.org/p/the-right-honourable-john-key-prime-minister-of-new-zealand-get-treatment-for-compulsive-lying

    13 March 2015 at 23:40

  12. Upnorth 12

    See what I dont understand is this. If Snowden is a hero then why does he not do all of this leaking at home?

    I am sure there are many people who would give him and office free of charge.

    I dont know if he is right or wrong but what I do know if you want credibility you need to do it on your own turf. I mean civil right protestors at least got knocked on their own their own back lawn.

    Until he does that – it is just another facebook page of “what I had for breakfast”.

    • Tautoko Mangō Mata 12.1

      He would get orange overalls and “enhanced interrogation” if he went back to USA. You can’t honestly believe he would get a fair go, do you?

    • Tracey 12.2

      Did you give much thought to your post before hitting send? I only ask because Whistleblowers have traditionally been even less prolific than today because of how they were treated to shut them up.

      “civil right protestors at least got knocked on their own their own back lawn.” Where do you think they could have gone to do it?

    • Draco T Bastard 12.3

      Heroes are always hunted and hated by the status quo as they bring change dropping those presently in power into penury or even death.

    • Colonial Rawshark 12.4

      See what I dont understand is this. If Snowden is a hero then why does he not do all of this leaking at home?

      Snowden’s lawyer has written to the US Gov saying that Snowden is willing to return home if he is given a fair trial and is able to use a full range of legal defences in that trial, including acting in the public good.

      The US gov has refused to respond.

    • David H 12.5

      Oh and it’s another Look over there moment.
      When everyone is talking about TricKeys bullshitting the nation. This Crap comes up.

      And you KNOW they have a cell with hot and cold running torturers all picked out in Guantanamo just for him. So enough with the amateur hour attempt at diversion.

      Begone trole

      • Upnorth 12.5.1

        no trolling – quite a legite point – why doesnt snowden hand all the stuff over to whoever and stay at home. I said I dont know if he is right or wrong.

        • Lanthanide 12.5.1.1

          Their is a whistleblower act in the US, but it explicitly excludes people who are contracted to privated companies, as Snowden apparently was.

          This means he can’t use the “public good” defense in any trial.

          His lawyers have been in contact with the US government to try and arrange allowing him to use the “public good” defense in this case, but they haven’t responded.

          He’s quite willing to go back to the US, but only if he gets a fair trial. So far the US government isn’t going to play ball.

        • North 12.5.1.2

          Well every man and his dog knows that right or wrong he’d be murdered if not physically then certainly in his spirit, if he were still resident as you claim is his obligation. Do I take it you’re not a man or a dog ? Am I getting warm with cockroach ? Truly, your comment is one of the most startingly stupid (as in stupor) comments I’ve seen in years.

          • Upnorth 12.5.1.2.1

            sorry can you apologise – you are making claims he will be murdered – prove it

            • North 12.5.1.2.1.1

              I acknowledge resort to frustrated rhetoric in response to the base stupidity of your comment UpNorth, Which weirdly goes on unabated..

              “I said I dont know if he is right or wrong.” ???

              About what, how, for God’s Sake ? Snowden didn’t write the stuff, it’s not of his pen. ‘They’ wrote it, He leaked it. Hopefully you can sort that out without having to start afresh at primer school. The answer to your ‘legite point’ simply cannot rest there.

              In conflating the overall morality question with the accuracy of the material leaked (which not even ‘they’ contest) you’re on all fours with The Idiot Key’s pose re Hager – “Neh ! Leaked ! Ergo Rubbish ! ”

              So “legite” ! So un-stupid ! (belly laugh).

    • Murray Rawshark 12.6

      So until he’s being waterboarded at Gitmo, we shouldn’t take any notice of what he says? I suppose the Free French and Free Poles who joined the RAF and fought Hitler were not heroes because they should have denounced him from the death camps? His credibility is in his material, not in your strange notion of his heroism.

  13. Hoots talking about ethics? Is the creep delusional? He wouldn’t know ethics if a swarm of them scuttled up his back and farted collectively in his ears.

    • Chooky 13.1

      lol…rhinocrates you are definitely a writer of considerable imagistic power

    • Tracey 13.2

      Never under estimate the impact of a clean blood stream on a moral compass.

      • Chooky 13.2.1

        that sounds good too…although I am not quite sure what it means here

        • CnrJoe 13.2.1.1

          Hooton was drinking 3-4 bottles of red wine a day just prior to the last election. He claimed that’s what Key was referring to when he made a comment on Matthews personal issues.
          Clean blood stream. Nah.
          Its a toxic sewer of self-interest and neo-liberal selfishness just without the marinade.

      • Murray Rawshark 13.2.2

        That’s possible, Tracey. It’s also possible that Hoots sees a new alpha male arising and is transferring his allegiance.

  14. fisiani 14

    Seems like it’s all starting to catch up with Key at last.

    I wish I has a dollar for every comment like that. I’d be a very rich person. The wishful thinking is that John Key will resign from office when it seems clear that he will retire from office. My guess for what it’s worth is that he will retire in 2024. That would be 12 months into his sixth term. His replacement entered Parliament in 2014.

    How many thousand more times will the mantra above be written.
    Seems = wishful thinking
    at last = despairing

    • Tracey 14.1

      Thanks again Fisi. I can always rely on you for a great chuckle. You sir, are an adept comedian, no matter what many say here about you, you are freakin hilarious.

    • Foreign waka 14.2

      Are “we” talking about royal ascendance to the throne worded in some republican double speak?

    • David 14.3

      Who’s his replacement then? Sabin when he gets out of prison?

  15. RedBaronCV 15

    You’ve gotta hand it to the Right. The one thing they do consistently well is “failure”. One scent of it about anybody and they all run as fast as they can in the other direction.
    Notice how we seem to be down to Fisi as the only troll on here now days? Loyal to the last?

  16. saveNZ 16

    He He, maybe MSM is sensing competition is on it’s way….eveningreport.nz and more on it’s way.

    Remember only less than half a percent vote Act, but the herald is so right of centre that that is where their views are set! Not many people will keep reading if more alternatives start popping up.

    • fisiani 16.1

      Just because the Herald does not endorse socialism does not make it Right Wing. I cannot thank of any media in NZ as being Right Wing unless you count Whale Oil as media. This media delusion runs strong in the Left. See the link to Roughan above for proof of my words. Face facts. The majority reject socialism. The Left are so blinded by delusion in their righteousness that they have to keep casting the blame anywhere they can to explain the worst result in 80 years. The fault lies with the unacceptable policies of the Left.

  17. coaster 17

    i agree with fisi, key will probably retire in 2024 and pass his bables of office on to his son. by then we will have lived in a dictatorship for a number of years, the standard will have been shut down by the gcsb and we will all be chipped to monitor every axpect of our lives as the must be frustrated as hell they cant collect data from us when we go deviceless.

  18. Treetop 18

    The first and last thing of the day that Key probably thinks about is the Northland by – election.

    The biggest threat to Osbourne is Key’s bullshit.

  19. Olwyn 19

    I think Key sees his claim to fame as his method of transforming NZ to better align with the wishes of “the club” without losing popularity. He will not resign for being caught out lying, however blatantly, but he probably will resign if losing a couple of bi-elections prevents him from applying his method. If he finds himself leading a minority government and is reduced to merely governing, he will lose interest in the job.

    • whateva next? 19.1

      I wonder what he has his sights set on next?, no doubt he is already working on it whatever it is..

  20. North 20

    Apologies to MP, a parliamentary member of which I recently came upon quite by chance in foreign parts – Marama Fox – she’s good stuff that woman ! Anyway, this little piece of doggerel came to me on the occasion of TheFakeKey outrageously, publicly, trying to climb up Richie McCaw’s arse to show what a great guy TheFakeKey is – then running to the media to say he’d at least got a whiff. Even when a bemused Richie said “Nah John, when I want my cock sucked I’ll call ya”):

    ON KNIGHTS AND DAMES AND OTHER BULLSHIT

    I heard a dirty story
    It’s truly damned horrific
    Shyster Boy Smiley Key
    He’s selling honorifics

    First he went to Richie
    ‘cos he’s a real man
    Said Shyster Boy to Richie
    Help me if you can

    Take this crappy medal
    It’s such a thing to show
    And ‘cos I gave it to you
    I’m basking in your glow

    Richie he’s a cagey guy
    He sussed the slimey game
    He yelled out loud “Piss off you Ponce….
    Go find yourself a Dame !”

    Tari’ proved no problem
    For this she’d always itched
    “Dame Toryana Torya”
    The Whispering Old Witch

    “Pita” “Peter” take your pick
    Demands he had a few
    Pension with the knighthood
    And Bee Em Double U

    This was getting crazy
    And people thought it stank……
    Shyster Boy pulled out the sword
    Sir Botox Bloody Banks…….!!!
    Anon

    Thank God for the High Court in Auckland. And re MP – I was half right wasn’t I ?

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • EV road user charges bill passes
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed the passing of legislation to move light electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) into the road user charges system from 1 April.  “It was always intended that EVs and PHEVs would be exempt from road user charges until they reached two ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Bill targets illegal, unregulated fishing in international waters
    New Zealand is strengthening its ability to combat illegal fishing outside its domestic waters and beef up regulation for its own commercial fishers in international waters through a Bill which had its first reading in Parliament today. The Fisheries (International Fishing and Other Matters) Amendment Bill 2023 sets out stronger ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Reserve Bank appointments
    Economists Carl Hansen and Professor Prasanna Gai have been appointed to the Reserve Bank Monetary Policy Committee, Finance Minister Nicola Willis announced today. The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is the independent decision-making body that sets the Official Cash Rate which determines interest rates.  Carl Hansen, the executive director of Capital ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Stronger protections for apartment owners
    Apartment owners and buyers will soon have greater protections as further changes to the law on unit titles come into effect, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “The Unit Titles (Strengthening Body Corporate Governance and Other Matters) Amendment Act had already introduced some changes in December 2022 and May 2023, and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Travel focused on traditional partners and Middle East
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters will travel to Egypt and Europe from this weekend.    “This travel will focus on a range of New Zealand’s traditional diplomatic and security partnerships while enabling broad engagement on the urgent situation in Gaza,” Mr Peters says.   Mr Peters will attend the NATO Foreign ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Keep safe on our roads this Easter
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown is encouraging all road users to stay safe, plan their journeys ahead of time, and be patient with other drivers while travelling around this Easter long weekend. “Road safety is a responsibility we all share, and with increased traffic on our roads expected this Easter we ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Cost of living support for over 1.4 million Kiwis
    About 1.4 million New Zealanders will receive cost of living relief through increased government assistance from April 1 909,000 pensioners get a boost to Superannuation, including 5000 veterans 371,000 working-age beneficiaries will get higher payments 45,000 students will see an increase in their allowance Over a quarter of New Zealanders ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Tenancy reviews for social housing restart
    Ensuring social housing is being provided to those with the greatest needs is front of mind as the Government restarts social housing tenancy reviews, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. “Our relentless focus on building a strong economy is to ensure we can deliver better public services such as social ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary plan halted
    The Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary will not go ahead, with Cabinet deciding to stop work on the proposed reserve and remove the Bill that would have established it from Parliament’s order paper. “The Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary Bill would have created a 620,000 sq km economic no-go zone,” Oceans and Fisheries Minister ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Cutting all that dam red tape
    Dam safety regulations are being amended so that smaller dams won’t be subject to excessive compliance costs, Minister for Building and Construction Chris Penk says. “The coalition Government is focused on reducing costs and removing unnecessary red tape so we can get the economy back on track.  “Dam safety regulations ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Drought support extended to parts of North Island
    The coalition Government is expanding the medium-scale adverse event classification to parts of the North Island as dry weather conditions persist, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced today. “I have made the decision to expand the medium-scale adverse event classification already in place for parts of the South Island to also cover the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Passage of major tax bill welcomed
    The passing of legislation giving effect to coalition Government tax commitments has been welcomed by Finance Minister Nicola Willis.  “The Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill will help place New Zealand on a more secure economic footing, improve outcomes for New Zealanders, and make our tax system ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Lifting economy through science, tertiary sectors
    Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins and Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds today announced plans to transform our science and university sectors to boost the economy. Two advisory groups, chaired by Professor Sir Peter Gluckman, will advise the Government on how these sectors can play a greater ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government announces Budget priorities
    The Budget will deliver urgently-needed tax relief to hard-working New Zealanders while putting the government’s finances back on a sustainable track, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says.  The Finance Minister made the comments at the release of the Budget Policy Statement setting out the Government’s Budget objectives. “The coalition Government intends ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government to consider accommodation solution
    The coalition Government will look at options to address a zoning issue that limits how much financial support Queenstown residents can get for accommodation. Cabinet has agreed on a response to the Petitions Committee, which had recommended the geographic information MSD uses to determine how much accommodation supplement can be ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government approves extension to Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care
    Cabinet has agreed to a short extension to the final reporting timeframe for the Royal Commission into Abuse in Care from 28 March 2024 to 26 June 2024, Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden says.                                         “The Royal Commission wrote to me on 16 February 2024, requesting that I consider an ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • $18m boost for Kiwis travelling to health treatment
    The coalition Government is delivering an $18 million boost to New Zealanders needing to travel for specialist health treatment, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says.   “These changes are long overdue – the National Travel Assistance (NTA) scheme saw its last increase to mileage and accommodation rates way back in 2009.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • PM’s Prizes for Space to showcase sector’s talent
    The Government is recognising the innovative and rising talent in New Zealand’s growing space sector, with the Prime Minister and Space Minister Judith Collins announcing the new Prime Minister’s Prizes for Space today. “New Zealand has a growing reputation as a high-value partner for space missions and research. I am ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Concerns conveyed to China over cyber activity
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government.     “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity, attributed to groups sponsored by the Chinese Government, targeting democratic institutions in both New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Independent Reviewers appointed for School Property Inquiry
    Independent Reviewers appointed for School Property Inquiry Education Minister Erica Stanford today announced the appointment of three independent reviewers to lead the Ministerial Inquiry into the Ministry of Education’s School Property Function.  The Inquiry will be led by former Minister of Foreign Affairs Murray McCully. “There is a clear need ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Brynderwyns open for Easter
    State Highway 1 across the Brynderwyns will be open for Easter weekend, with work currently underway to ensure the resilience of this critical route being paused for Easter Weekend to allow holiday makers to travel north, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Today I visited the Brynderwyn Hills construction site, where ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Speech to the Infrastructure Funding & Financing Conference
    Introduction Good morning to you all, and thanks for having me bright and early today. I am absolutely delighted to be the Minister for Infrastructure alongside the Minister of Housing and Resource Management Reform. I know the Prime Minister sees the three roles as closely connected and he wants me ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Parliamentary network breached by the PRC
    New Zealand stands with the United Kingdom in its condemnation of People’s Republic of China (PRC) state-backed malicious cyber activity impacting its Electoral Commission and targeting Members of the UK Parliament. “The use of cyber-enabled espionage operations to interfere with democratic institutions and processes anywhere is unacceptable,” Minister Responsible for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • NZ to provide support for Solomon Islands election
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Defence Minister Judith Collins today announced New Zealand will provide logistics support for the upcoming Solomon Islands election. “We’re sending a team of New Zealand Defence Force personnel and two NH90 helicopters to provide logistics support for the election on 17 April, at the request ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • NZ-EU FTA gains Royal Assent for 1 May entry to force
    The European Union Free Trade Agreement Legislation Amendment Bill received Royal Assent today, completing the process for New Zealand’s ratification of its free trade agreement with the European Union.    “I am pleased to announce that today, in a small ceremony at the Beehive, New Zealand notified the European Union ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • COVID-19 inquiry attracts 11,000 submissions
    Public consultation on the terms of reference for the Royal Commission into COVID-19 Lessons has concluded, Internal Affairs Minister Hon Brooke van Velden says.  “I have been advised that there were over 11,000 submissions made through the Royal Commission’s online consultation portal.” Expanding the scope of the Royal Commission of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Families to receive up to $75 a week help with ECE fees
    Hardworking families are set to benefit from a new credit to help them meet their early childcare education (ECE) costs, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. From 1 July, parents and caregivers of young children will be supported to manage the rising cost of living with a partial reimbursement of their ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Unlocking a sustainable, low-emissions future
    A specialised Independent Technical Advisory Group (ITAG) tasked with preparing and publishing independent non-binding advice on the design of a "green" (sustainable finance) taxonomy rulebook is being established, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says.  “Comprising experts and market participants, the ITAG's primary goal is to deliver comprehensive recommendations to the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Chief of Army thanked for his service
    Defence Minister Judith Collins has thanked the Chief of Army, Major General John Boswell, DSD, for his service as he leaves the Army after 40 years. “I would like to thank Major General Boswell for his contribution to the Army and the wider New Zealand Defence Force, undertaking many different ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Minister to meet Australian counterparts and Manufacturing Industry Leaders
    25 March 2024 Minister to meet Australian counterparts and Manufacturing Industry Leaders Small Business, Manufacturing, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly will travel to Australia for a series of bi-lateral meetings and manufacturing visits. During the visit, Minister Bayly will meet with his Australian counterparts, Senator Tim Ayres, Ed ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Government commits nearly $3 million for period products in schools
    Government commits almost $3 million for period products in schools The Coalition Government has committed $2.9 million to ensure intermediate and secondary schools continue providing period products to those who need them, Minister of Education Erica Stanford announced today. “This is an issue of dignity and ensuring young women don’t ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Speech – Making it easier to build.
    Good morning, it’s great to be here.   First, I would like to acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of Building Surveyors and thank you for the opportunity to be here this morning.  I would like to use this opportunity to outline the Government’s ambitious plan and what we hope to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Pacific youth to shine from boost to Polyfest
    Minister for Pacific Peoples Dr Shane Reti has announced the Government’s commitment to the Auckland Secondary Schools Māori and Pacific Islands Cultural Festival, more commonly known as Polyfest. “The Ministry for Pacific Peoples is a longtime supporter of Polyfest and, as it celebrates 49 years in 2024, I’m proud to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • 2024 Ngarimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarships announced
    ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Speech to Breast Cancer Foundation – Insights Conference
    Before moving onto the substance of today’s address, I want to recognise the very significant and ongoing contribution the Breast Cancer Foundation makes to support the lives of New Zealand women and their families living with breast cancer. I very much enjoy working with you. I also want to recognise ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Kiwi research soars to International Space Station
    New Zealand has notched up a first with the launch of University of Canterbury research to the International Space Station, Science, Innovation and Technology and Space Minister Judith Collins says. The hardware, developed by Dr Sarah Kessans, is designed to operate autonomously in orbit, allowing scientists on Earth to study ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Speech to the New Zealand Planning Institute
    Introduction Thank you for inviting me to speak with you today and I’m sorry I can’t be there in person. Yesterday I started in Wellington for Breakfast TV, spoke to a property conference in Auckland, and finished the day speaking to local government in Christchurch, so it would have been ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Support for Northland emergency response centre
    The Coalition Government is contributing more than $1 million to support the establishment of an emergency multi-agency coordination centre in Northland. Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell announced the contribution today during a visit of the Whangārei site where the facility will be constructed.  “Northland has faced a number ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Celebrating 20 years of Whakaata Māori
    New Zealanders have enjoyed a broader range of voices telling the story of Aotearoa thanks to the creation of Whakaata Māori 20 years ago, says Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka. The minister spoke at a celebration marking the national indigenous media organisation’s 20th anniversary at their studio in Auckland on ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Some commercial fishery catch limits increased
    Commercial catch limits for some fisheries have been increased following a review showing stocks are healthy and abundant, Ocean and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The changes, along with some other catch limit changes and management settings, begin coming into effect from 1 April 2024. "Regular biannual reviews of fish ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-03-29T10:19:16+00:00