Collins and Oravida

Written By: - Date published: 7:01 am, March 5th, 2014 - 114 comments
Categories: same old national - Tags:

Judith Collin’s endorses a company, Orivida, that her husband is a (presumably paid) director of. That same company has previously made political donations to the National Party.

That’s a conflict of interest. One that’s particularly sharp given the previous use of John Key’s image to promote the same company.

John Key’s defense is:

It doesn’t preclude her dropping in. There is no commercial value there.

But there’s considerable commercial value in an endorsement from a Minister, especially in China – a market that place a lot of value on political status.

This looks murky to me. Particularly as Collins appears to have been travelling on the tax-payer’s dime.

My question is was her husband with her,  and if so was he also travelling at taxpayers’ expense as the Minister’s spouse?

I’d also like to know if this is a one-off visit. If it’s not then when did Collins’ husband become a director and when did she first visit the company? When did John Key? And when was the donation made?

This looks a lot like the situation that saw National MP, Pansy Wong, resign in 2010. Is history repeating?

114 comments on “Collins and Oravida ”

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  1. TightyRighty 1
    5 March 2014 at 7:19 am

    It’s a bad look. Well timed intro too at the end of the section on cunliffes secret trust.

    • geoff 1.1
      5 March 2014 at 8:32 am

      Nah not a bad look for National, the party of double standards. It’s a good way for them to illustrate that they’re beyond criticism. They can happily give the finger to taxpayers and say ‘these rules are for everyone else, not us hypocrites’

      remember from micky’s post:

      -The National government paying Paula Rebstock $290,000 for her failed inquiry

      -Gerry Brownlee spending $1500 to lease an SUV while watching the America’s Cup race in San Francisco.

      -Tim Groser and a private secretary spending over $8500 to stay at the Four Seasons Hotel Washington for a week, during a month in which Groser spent $18,200.

      -John Key, DPS bodyguards and staffers flying down to Queenstown for the New Zealand golf open, at an as-yet unknown cost.

      • TightyRighty 1.1.1
        5 March 2014 at 8:39 am

        So it’s ok for collins to do this then? it’s a bad look. the question is whether or not the national party will be brought down by a glass of milk. whether it looks unfit to govern by the majority of the voting electorate by drinking the lactations of bovine creatures. oh boy question time will be fun.

        • framu 1.1.1.1
          5 March 2014 at 8:57 am

          “So it’s ok for collins to do this then?”

          um.. pretty sure geoffs not saying that

          milk isnt the issue – using influence of govt position for private gain is the issue – one which sank pansy wong

        • fender 1.1.1.2
          5 March 2014 at 9:04 am

          Yeah Collins, Key and the rest of Nact can do whatever they want. They are beyond reproach.

          And those complaints in the MSM about power price rises are misguided, a majority of people voted for that too.

          Suck it all up, this is a “brighter future”.

        • geoff 1.1.1.3
          5 March 2014 at 9:05 am

          It’s great for collins to do this. Yet another example of who National really is. Do as I say, not as I do.

        • Skinny 1.1.1.4
          5 March 2014 at 9:09 am

          She is the ‘Minister of Justice’ clown. What is the message here, I wave the rules and I’m above them?

    • Mark F 1.2
      5 March 2014 at 1:40 pm

      Considering this happened nearly 6 months ago and was obviously a non event at the time, evidenced by no outrage from anyone, until now. One can only assume the release of this “major development” was a defense mechanism to take the focus off other less than ethical behaviour being reported this day.

      • Tracey 1.2.1
        5 March 2014 at 3:16 pm

        did you know about it in october? Did Mr Slater, the outter of all perception of corruption in politicians blog about it extensively in October?

        • Mark F 1.2.1.1
          5 March 2014 at 3:33 pm

          I suppose the question should be when did this little “gem” become known? Because if it was anything but yesterday it doesn’t look good!

    • PapaMike 1.3
      5 March 2014 at 1:50 pm

      This visit took place in October last year.
      Why did TVNZ role it out with the Political News after the Cunliffe Trust last night ?
      Seems strange to me – why not at the time in October – was it a secret ?

    • Enough is Enough 1.4
      5 March 2014 at 3:11 pm

      She’s a bad look. Miss Piggy comes to mind

  2. PoliticallyCorrectedNZ 2
    5 March 2014 at 7:24 am

    Collins brushing visit off as cup of tea on way to the airport.

    Visit was invitation, visit accompaniedby Ambassador.

    Not exactly popping in for a snog with the hubby before flying home.

  3. karol 3
    5 March 2014 at 7:39 am

    Collins is a serial offender.

    Justice Minister’s office denies any conflict of interest over $200,000 state service appointment

    The lawyer hand-picked by Minister of Justice Judith Collins for a top state service job is an old friend of her husband, says a private investigator who used to work for both men.

    A former scrutineer in Mrs Collins’ former Clevedon electorate, Clinton Bowerman, 49, said the minister knew Robert Kee through her husband David Wong-Tung before appointing him as the new director of human rights proceedings.

    The China PR photo. [saved to my computer in case it is taken offline]

    The story about it on Oravida’s website

    The Honorable Judith Collins, Minister of Justice, ACC and Ethnic Affairs, His excellency, Ambassador Carl Walker visited Oravida Shanghai office upon company’s invitation. As a NZ company committed to branding NZ’s premium food products and developing the distribution channels in China for these products, Oravida has been at the forefront of advocating food “made in NZ”. Both Minister Collins and Ambassador Walker recognized company’s efforts, congratulated us on what we have achieved and encouraged us to continue building NZ’s premium food reputation in China.

    • One Anonymous Bloke 3.1
      5 March 2014 at 9:12 am

      That PR photo is great. Just add caption and distribute widely.

    • Hayden 3.2
      5 March 2014 at 10:54 am

      The China PR photo. [saved to my computer in case it is taken offline

      When did you save it? I thought I saw it yesterday with an Australian flag on the table, and looking at it now it looks badly Photoshopped with the single red star.

      • Hayden 3.2.1
        5 March 2014 at 11:04 am

        And now it appears to be an NZ flag everywhere I can find it… must have imagined it!

  4. Ennui 4
    5 March 2014 at 7:56 am

    I’m bigger than you…you are disturbing my tea break….out of the way scum…..no the Cabinet Manual does not apply to me….why?????? because I’m bigger and tougher and SCARIER than you!!!!!!! Now I have a cup of tea to finish, begone…..

  5. framu 5
    5 March 2014 at 8:00 am

    two words

    pansy wong

    that now makes two of keys MPs caught out doing the same thing

    “It doesn’t preclude her dropping in. There is no commercial value there.”
    \
    and did the journo then ask if key realised that having a foreign govt offical visit was in fact considered extremely good for business in china?

    once again key gives an answer that shows hes bullshitting or staggeringly thick and the media dont bother pressing the point

  6. Craig Glen Eden 6
    5 March 2014 at 8:11 am

    Paddy Gower should be spewing out lines like
    ” Key Turns Blind eye to Corruption in Caucus”
    Instead we will get “John Key not bothered” John Key says dont worry be happy and really its all Labours fault becasue they raised it Im not to bothered about it Ive got more important things to worry about.

    • Ant 6.1
      5 March 2014 at 8:51 am

      Part of this is because John Key’s move is to actually act confident, arrogant, and not bothered about it which works out pretty good in downplaying reasonably minor stories.

      Cunliffe should be doing the same thing (which he used to do), I hope he’s not taking advice from the same person who advised HC to be ‘softer’ and made her lose the debates to Key.

    • fender 6.2
      5 March 2014 at 9:37 am

      I think it’s obvious Gower gets told what to say, much like Slater receives his instructions.

      • Ant 6.2.1
        5 March 2014 at 10:24 am

        Gower is a troll, he just trolls the side that gives him the best reactions.

      • Colonial Viper 6.2.2
        5 March 2014 at 11:09 am

        Wouldnt be surprised if Gower decides to head into politics himself in a few years. Dont think he will be standing for Labour though.

        • fender 6.2.2.1
          5 March 2014 at 11:19 am

          On a list, only a mum could vote for a face like that.

          Personally I’d like to see him “standing” near a road when I’m out driving 😈

          • David H 6.2.2.1.1
            5 March 2014 at 7:47 pm

            “Personally I’d like to see him “standing” near a road when I’m out driving :twisted:”

            Yeah standing next to a big muddy puddle doing a live cross slagging off DC .

        • Naki Man 6.2.2.2
          5 March 2014 at 9:22 pm

          Corin Dann will probably stand for Labour

  7. felix 7
    5 March 2014 at 8:11 am

    Hey righties, this is what actual corruption looks like. Try to remember, eh?

    • grumpy 7.1
      5 March 2014 at 10:02 am

      Just as long as she didn’t take money from KDC and get him to write her policies I’m happy.

      • felix 7.1.1
        5 March 2014 at 11:59 am

        Let’s unpack that.

        You’re happy that a minister flies around the world on the taxpayer in order to lend support to her family’s company(s?) who also happen to donate $56,000 to the minister’s party.

        This all happened in the real world, but you reckon that’s ok because you made up a rumour about something else that never happened at all.

        The denial is strong in this one.

        • grumpy 7.1.1.1
          5 March 2014 at 2:25 pm

          Still waiting for y’man Presland to confirm (or not) that.

          [lprent: Have you been harassing my authors outside of what they post? I could probably confirm something for you. ]

          • grumpy 7.1.1.1.1
            5 March 2014 at 3:22 pm

            Would I do that????
            Just pointing out that all this surmising of whether KDC was an anonymous contributor could be easily cleared up. Anyway, I would never dream of harassing one of your authors in that capacity.

            [lprent: I’m trying to figure out if you are really are that thick or if this is just an act.

            You are asking a lawyer to break confidentiality on a trust that he set up on a request from a client. Don’t be such a munter. He’d probably get disbarred or severely reprimanded if he did what you are asking him to do. It is both impossible for him to do and indeed impossible for him to even comment on.

            And he is one of our authors. So I’m happy to answer for him. You have to be totally fucking kidding…

            And I think it is an act. Added an extra 4 weeks for wasting my time. ]

  8. One Anonymous Bloke 8
    5 March 2014 at 8:20 am

    That’s a trifle more than a perception of a conflict of interest if you ask me. Collins always struck me as stupid and vindictive rather than corrupt, but I guess she can add that to her cv too.

  9. chris73 9
    5 March 2014 at 8:36 am

    “claiming she had tasted and endorsed their products.”

    Slightly different then her saying she had endorsed their products or in her own words: “I certainly don’t endorse any products other than the fact I always try and help New Zealand companies trying to export.”

    But nice try at diversion, well done for giving it a go 🙂

    • framu 9.1
      5 March 2014 at 9:00 am

      you do understand that having a govt minister visit your business is a big deal in china dont you?

      One which carries significant financial potential for your business

      • grumpy 9.1.1
        5 March 2014 at 10:04 am

        Hope so! Boosting the sales of a NZ company is usually the job of the TRade Minister but if the Justice Minister is just passing through then why not?

        • fender 9.1.1.1
          5 March 2014 at 10:16 am

          Only you’re forgetting that other companies sales will drop, only because they don’t have a director married to the (in)justice minister.

        • framu 9.1.1.2
          5 March 2014 at 12:25 pm

          “then why not?”

          because its corruption

        • Tracey 9.1.1.3
          5 March 2014 at 1:25 pm

          So, as long as there is money to be made by a NZ company (albeit based in china, dont know tax implications for NZ), you dont mind who uses their influence unfairly?

    • Tracey 9.2
      5 March 2014 at 1:25 pm

      “Oravida’s website

      The Honorable Judith Collins, Minister of Justice, ACC and Ethnic Affairs, His excellency, Ambassador Carl Walker visited Oravida Shanghai office upon company’s invitation. As a NZ company committed to branding NZ’s premium food products and developing the distribution channels in China for these products, Oravida has been at the forefront of advocating food “made in NZ”. Both Minister Collins and Ambassador Walker recognized company’s efforts, congratulated us on what we have achieved and encouraged us to continue building NZ’s premium food reputation in China."

      Of ALL the companies to visit, it’s just a coincidence it was her husband’s (a director of it anyway)

      • grumpy 9.2.1
        5 March 2014 at 2:22 pm

        Oh? so the Ambassador was there too? You fail to mention the date of the visit and the date this was first raised in NZ.
        For someone who professes to vote Greens you are sure keen to “die in a ditch” for Labour.

        • Tracey 9.2.1.1
          5 March 2014 at 2:40 pm

          hardly dying in a ditch, how melodramatic and self important of you. In any event, which part of that release don;’t you think enhances the company in the eyes of the Chine or anyone else looking to buy from the company, without revealling that Ms Collins husband is a director of the company?

          “so the Ambassador was there too” according tot he company website, which is different from this guy on the internet said, so I believe it must be true.

  10. Skinny 10
    5 March 2014 at 8:59 am

    There are 2 National MP’s very happy about this, Stephen Joyce and Mike Sabin. Effectively Collins can kiss her leadership aspirations goodbye, actually going on form she should be stood down as a Cabernet Minister pending the result of a full look into all her favour’s afforded to her husband.

    It’s already a is a very bad look John Key trying to down play the whole affair by trying to compare Helen’s visits toAuckland University while her husband worked there, that’s a stretch by slippery John Key that doesn’t wash. It’s stinks Key’s association with this cash cow firm also.

    Actually better put 3 MP’s too be fair, DC will be happy the heat is redirected back at the National Party.

    • wyndham 10.1
      5 March 2014 at 9:02 am

      Anyone have concerns that the Labour Party political research unit will stuff this one up ?

      I do.

      • Skinny 10.1.1
        5 March 2014 at 9:28 am

        I feel a lot more confident holding my breath now Matt McCarten is on board. I know in social media land it’s got a fair few of the voting public highly annoyed.

        Sending a message to the big ears of Patrick Pixie Gower…Please urgently call National MP Mike Sabin asking would he be interested in taking over the Minister of Justice portfolio?

    • Hami Shearlie 10.2
      5 March 2014 at 10:04 am

      Yes, the reference to Helen Clark’s visits to her husband at the University where he works and trying to liken that to what Collins has done was the biggest stretch I’ve ever heard, but not one journalist pulled Key up on it – none pointed out that Peter Davis WORKS at the University, he doesn’t have shares in it, he’s not a Director and he doesn’t own it! What it showed more than anything was that the media NEVER question what John Key says about anything! TV3 have lost me, I won’t watch any more, Gower is literally UNBELIEVABLE!

  11. MaxFletcher 11
    5 March 2014 at 9:07 am

    Shades of Pansy Wong indeed.

  12. floyd 12
    5 March 2014 at 9:48 am

    So while Cunliffe is lambasted for correcting his error of judgement, in public, on air and apologising to his caucus, all things that key has NEVER done Judith Collins gets away with “so what” and key calling it “dropping in” regarding her trip to China. Absolutely abysmal reporting and it’s about time gower was returned to the rat run. His run down of Cunliffes’ lapses one by one last night was not reporting. It was as plain as the nose on his face that he is there to tarnish Labours’ image at every opportunity.
    I know who I trust and it ain’t the yellow bellied, scuttling for cover,never been wrong in my life key. Cunliffe at least fronts up and is honest with us.

    • grumpy 12.1
      5 March 2014 at 10:58 am

      “Honest”????? Then who were the two donors who had their names hidden and he now has to return the donation to try and keep their names secret?

      • mac1 12.1.1
        5 March 2014 at 11:53 am

        grumpy, I remember Cunliffe saying that the release of the names of the two donors was not up to him, but to the two concerned. He said he had no control over their decision to remain anonymous.

        I think the important thing is to understand why the LP has a rule allowing anonymity to people providing support to a leadership candidate. It’s to allow donors freedom from possible recriminations after the contest is over, when the time comes to reunite after a winner is announced.

        The reason for banning trusts donating money to political parties or individuals over a certain level without naming the donors is to show the transparency required to allow us, the public, to see whether in our judgement that our politicians have not been bought by wealthy donors.

        One, I think it’s a question of scale. Two, I’d bet that if huge amounts of money came into the LP leadership contest, then the effects of that would be noticed and questions would be asked, and probably answered by other people in the know. Three, the situation did involve the LP. Its (our in my case) rules affect its members and are there for them (us).

        Be assured that any leader of the LP who bought their way into the top job would be identified and find themselves a leader of a much reduced membership and recipient of huge vilification.

        Vilification, meantime, might be better directed at the likes of Judith Collins, John Banks and Colin Craig for their words and deeds. Other worthy recipients have been named also in other comments to this post- Worth, Key, Groser, Wong for example.

      • framu 12.1.2
        5 March 2014 at 12:23 pm

        but your cool with corruption – you say so yourself -so whats you damn problem?

        • grumpy 12.1.2.1
          5 March 2014 at 2:20 pm

          FFS, this happenned last October – where was this outrage then?

          • Tracey 12.1.2.1.1
            5 March 2014 at 2:42 pm

            oh, so there is a time limit for perceptions of corruption in your view? Given you didnt know the ambassador was there too, I am guessing you didn’t know about it in October either.

            Unless Whaleoil in his crusade to out corruption amongst politicians was posting his outrage about it for weeks last October????

          • framu 12.1.2.1.2
            5 March 2014 at 4:34 pm

            did you know it happened in october, back in october or as a result of recent media reporting?

            oh.. hold on

            “Just been revealed that this incident happenned last October”

            stop being a dick

  13. Ross 13
    5 March 2014 at 9:58 am

    Then there’s Tim Grosser (Sept 2013) and John Key (Oct 2012) doing similar.

    After the Richard Worth debacle where Worth apparently touted for business in India and got a bollocking from Key for doing so, it’s hard to believe National ministers could be so cavalier. Of course, a cynic might say that since Oravida has been generous at throwing money in National’s direction, this is National’s way of saying thank you.

    http://agrihq.co.nz/article/milk-runner-tangles-pm-in-product-endorsement?p=7

    http://www.oravida.com/lwl/newsen/

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10564659

  14. Draco T Bastard 14
    5 March 2014 at 10:06 am

    this is exactly what Wong did and so we should be getting Collins resignation any minute now.

    If we don’t then that is just National showing their true colours.

    • MaxFletcher 14.1
      5 March 2014 at 10:15 am

      I don’t think so – I think we’ll get a whole lot of “this is different because…bullshit bullshit”

      • marty mars 14.1.1
        5 March 2014 at 3:37 pm

        yep it would take degrees of humility, honesty and integrity to do that so… right… oh look john key has pulled a funny face for a photo ffs what a sick joke some of this shit is.

  15. Plan B 15
    5 March 2014 at 10:30 am

    The number 1 idea to understand is this.
    The National party are not dumb. saying it , even thinking it is like preying to a god that does not exist. It will not save you. The National MPs. /John Key is dumb is an idea that needs to be buried so deep that it can never be found.

    Instead why not go with the idea that they actually know exactly how they are communicating- in a post modern- beyond politics sort of way. Everything is ironic, they can do and say whatever they like, no logic is required, they can go backwards, forwards and side to side.

  16. Delia 16
    5 March 2014 at 11:18 am

    Well I do not doubt that Trevor Mallard or someone will roast this one in parliament this arvo. Someone has to, the media certainly are not.

  17. Tracey 17
    5 March 2014 at 11:43 am

    The thing is collins et al genuinely believe there is nothing wrong with this… john banks genuinely believes signing something as a declaration without reading it is fine. Thats the scarey part to me.

    All those who rabidly chastise brown and accuse him of corrupt will be in plausable deniability mode or just silent.

  18. captain hook 18
    5 March 2014 at 11:50 am

    It is important to realise that tory mp’s are not in government for any higher purpose than to make money. they are egregiously venal and that is that.

    • Tracey 18.1
      5 March 2014 at 11:56 am

      I agree that fundamentally tories believe that if people can make more money then everything else follows. Its just that ideologically they look back and even tho everyone isnt making enough money they seem to tell themselves its because the socialists did let them finish.

  19. Populuxe1 19
    5 March 2014 at 12:31 pm

    Hopefully Labour will get off their arses and demand an investigation

  20. greywarbler 20
    5 March 2014 at 1:24 pm

    Some musings on personal names, history, and whether we can ever really know what writers and speakers mean if they develop their own code or argot. And if they say something and we think it means something else who can master the meaning and the truth?

    I didn’t realise that Collins was such a Pansy, I thought of her more as a Meat Grinder. How can she get away with this when Pansy didn’t.

    Pansy is such a nice name. I thought I’d look up Judith and we had better be prepared for even harder times if she gets into power apparently. If she decides you aren’t one of ‘her’ people well then……
    The historical background to the name Judith –
    ‘Jewish heroine in one of the books of the Apocrypha; she saved her people by decapitating the Assyrian general Holofernes’.

    And these blonde tsarinas are powerful. I was trying to look at Spitting Image clips which showed Margaret Thatcher and her influence, even after death, is so strong that the computer couldn’t play any of them.

    Google shows one entry saying that in American the name Judith means young. It’s official apparently that Americans don’t speak English and words we think are English can mean anything they decide.

    In `Through the Looking Glass’ Alice discussed words with Humpty Dumpty who held forth on the advantages of getting presents on un-birthdays because there are more of them.
    ‘And only one for birthday presents, you know. There’s glory for you!’
    ‘I don’t know what you mean by “glory”,’ Alice said.
    Humpty Dumpty smiled contemptuously. ‘Of course you don’t — till I tell you. I meant “there’s a nice knock-down argument for you!”‘

    ‘But “glory” doesn’t mean “a nice knock-down argument”,’ Alice objected.
    ‘When I use a word,’ Humpty Dumpty said, in rather a scornful tone, ‘it means just what I choose it to mean — neither more nor less.’

    ‘The question is,’ said Alice, ‘whether you can make words mean so many different things.’
    ‘The question is,’ said Humpty Dumpty, ‘which is to be master — that’s all.’

  21. Not a PS Staffer 21
    5 March 2014 at 1:27 pm

    Corin Dann’s handling of this on Breakfast on TV One this morning was inadequate. He said, to the effect, that as Collins’ hubby was only Director and not a shareholder he had not benefiting directly from the business of the company! Corin Dann’s grasp of the role and responsibilities of a company director are inadequate. National’s media handlers will be very pleased with Corin’s performance.

    See him here, skip in 2 min 40 seconds on this
    http://tvnz.co.nz/breakfast-news/cunliffe-running-time-get-labour-moving-video-5857751

  22. grumpy 22
    5 March 2014 at 1:51 pm

    Just been revealed that this incident happenned last October and was dismissed at the time. Dragged out now by TVNZ to deflect attention from Cunliffe. I think the Labour/TVNZ current investigation has just got a bit more added to it…….

    • Skinny 22.1
      5 March 2014 at 2:30 pm

      Hey Mug we can all see Joyce is hanging Collins loud arse out in the breeze. It’s an internal scrap for the leadership after Key heads home to America.

    • Tracey 22.2
      5 March 2014 at 2:44 pm

      How odd, that Mr “crusading against all perceived corruption by politicians” Slater didn’t rage on about it for weeks on his blog in October and November and make press releases to the media?

      Is 5 months your limit on perceived corruption grumpy, or does only a month have to pass before it can’t be used against someone, do tell.. you seem to be fighting awfully hard to avoid any suggestion that Collins did wrong, or was seen to do wrong.

  23. Rob 23
    5 March 2014 at 2:50 pm

    If my enterprise was trading in China and I knew a cabinet minister, I would move heaven and earth to get them to visit and support the business, isnt this what Govts are supposed to do, enable and help enterprise to grow.

    China is a big market and you need all the help you can get.

    • karol 23.1
      5 March 2014 at 2:54 pm

      Well, if you are not related to, or married to a Nat cabinet minister, your only option would be to try to move heaven and earth.

      • Tracey 23.1.1
        5 March 2014 at 2:59 pm

        Touche

        The tory handbook

        “if someone is trying to make money, it mus be ok.”

    • Tracey 23.2
      5 March 2014 at 2:58 pm

      Yea, fuck the perception of favoritism. You know we are governed by NZ mores and not Chinese, right? Wasn’t the Ambassador going sufficient for this?

      you mean like the painting is being auctioned for charity, so it was actually a great thing Clark did?

      • Rob 23.2.1
        5 March 2014 at 3:12 pm

        Obviously Tracey, your ability to engage in a rational manner has left you.

        Export is a pretty important facet of our economy and China is a large part of that. Many small NZ businesses are trying to break into China and supply the growing Chinese consumer base. I think NZ has developed some pretty good product and distribution solutions over the last few years and the agreement with them has obviuosly made a big difference.

        When we have invested in new kit and machinery, our local MP’s generally turn up and make a bit of a song and dance about it. If you give them enough warning they are generally pretty good at making themselves available for local enterprise and community activities.

        • Tracey 23.2.1.1
          5 March 2014 at 3:20 pm

          Is your MP, your wife?

          Obviously your complete lack of understanding of conflict of interest and being seen to act with propriety inhibits your ability to contribute to this discussion.

        • McFlock 23.2.1.2
          5 March 2014 at 3:22 pm

          Do your local mps have financial interests in your company? If so, do they declare them? Does their visit involve international travel on the taxpayer dime? Was the visit only taking place because of their partners’ interests in the company?

          Why is this basic concept of ethics so difficult for you to grasp?

          • Tracey 23.2.1.2.1
            5 March 2014 at 3:29 pm

            because rob is trying to justify something he knows he cannot, and would abhor if it had been during the labour government…

            now, had collins signed a picture for raising money for a charity…the wrath that would befall her

        • framu 23.2.1.3
          5 March 2014 at 4:41 pm

          “pretty good at making themselves available for local enterprise and community activities.”

          locally yes, but in china? at their husbands company? (directorship of course)

    • Skinny 23.3
      5 March 2014 at 3:28 pm

      Yes and a 50 K political donation paths the way to red carpet treatment when you dial the favour in. “who pays the piper calls the tune”

    • framu 23.4
      5 March 2014 at 4:39 pm

      you might well want that – and try to get it, and theres nothing wrong with that

      but thats a different matter to a govt minister (who definately knows its not allowed) using her position of power and influence to do it, while being related/married to one of the directors

      now rob – i like to be charitable – but just how willingly dense are you being here?

  24. Papa Tuanuku 24
    5 March 2014 at 3:54 pm

    Key just cleared her, so everything must be kosher.

    • karol 24.1
      5 March 2014 at 3:57 pm

      Grant Robertson disagrees. And now he’s linking Peter Goodfellow to Oravida.

      • Skinny 24.1.1
        5 March 2014 at 5:03 pm

        Their up to it in their neck and the Kiwi punters are less than impressed. Judy Doll you are very vulnerable to sharp objects like knives.

  25. North 25
    5 March 2014 at 4:43 pm

    “So What So What So What ?”

    The minister being transparent.

    And talking shit.

    Claims she drinks milk.

    Doesn’t……..she squirts it.

    Good to see her transparently rattled.

    Unattractive and viper-like when rattled.

    Not to say efforts at nice are pretty.

    Smug set to the mouth.

    Sly smile no wave.

    Endora off “Bewitched”.

    • Mark F 25.1
      5 March 2014 at 5:03 pm

      “Claims she drinks milk.

      Doesn’t……..she squirts it.”

      Isn’t it ironic that this that the comments here have come down to this disgusting level. Had this been somebody making similar comments about a female Labour MP they would have been had a lifetime ban imposed in microseconds. Yet again we can’t argue the topic we have to take it to this personal level.

      Count me out!

  26. Penny Bright 26
    5 March 2014 at 6:23 pm

    Has this got the Pansy Wong ‘pong’?

    FYI ….

    19 February 2011

    Press Release: Penny Bright Independent candidate Botany by-election:

    Latest developments in the Pansy Wong scandal.

    “The Communications Advisor for the Office of the Auditor-General confirmed yesterday that it had not yet decided whether or not to investigate the use of Pansy Wong’s electorate office address as the business address of Shipley & Wong Ltd,” says ‘Anti-Corruption campaigner’, Penny Bright, Independent candidate in the Botany by-election.

    “Has the current National Government Prime Minister John Key, been responsible for helping to cover-up arguably corrupt conduct which involves former National Party Prime Minister Jenny Shipley, who is a 50% shareholder in Shipley and Wong Ltd?”

    (SHIPLEY & WONG – Companies Office Number: 1245430)

    “Does Prime Minister John Key know of and approve of the registered company address of SHIPLEY & WONG LTD, changing to 735 Chapel Rd, Botany, on 11 June 2010, at a time that former National Party Prime Minister Jenny Shipley was a 50% shareholder, and her husband Burton Ross Shipley was a Director – along with Sammy Wong, Pansy Wong’s husband?

    735 Chapel Rd Botany, being the address, at that time, of Pansy Wong’s electorate office?”

    “How is it that neither then current National Party MP (Pansy Wong) , or her husband; or a former National Party Prime Minister (Jenny Shipley) , or her husband, knew that this was wrong, and effectively constituted ‘misuse of public office for private gain’?

    How ‘dodgy’ is that?”

    “Why don’t New Zealand MPs have a ‘Code of Conduct’ with sanctions for breaches thereof?”

    “Why isn’t the Office of the Auditor-General investigating? What’s the hold-up?”

    “Why isn’t the Office of the Auditor-General proposing a ‘Code of Conduct for MPs as part of the ‘systems solution’ for this problem?”

    “Isn’t it time NZ had an ‘Independent Commission Against Corruption’ to help set up systems to enable genuine transparency and prevent corruption?”

    Penny Bright

  27. greywarbler 27
    5 March 2014 at 6:24 pm

    Mark F
    This is an equal opportunity blog. It seems to me that anyone who is regarded with enough fear and loathing will receive equivalent negative comments. Feel welcome to stay out of it – there are enough RW already here which need hoovering up, the bag is full already.

  28. Paul 28
    5 March 2014 at 7:31 pm

    The media bias continues.
    Cunliffe still 3rd story on NZ Heral online.
    No sign of Collins story in top 8 news stories.
    Corrupt media.

    • Naki Man 28.1
      5 March 2014 at 9:46 pm

      That’s because there is no Collins story, just a pathetic attempt to take the heat off Captain Cock Up
      and his funnelling money through secret trust accounts, possibly from the fat German fraudster.

      • Paul 28.1.1
        5 March 2014 at 9:55 pm

        Of course

      • Skinny 28.1.2
        5 March 2014 at 10:10 pm

        One maybe Bob Jones and the other the Mad Butcher. It’s all loose change in the pocket compared to the well heeled rich mates of Goodfellow, Key and the old boys network. I’ve given over the threshold ‘separated’ to a bit player political party and buggered if I wanted my name publicised, and I’m a mere legend in my own mind.

  29. Stuart Munro 29
    6 March 2014 at 1:53 am

    Mark my words, one of these days some of the oppressed citizenry is going to take violent exception to all this corruption. And when they do, that genie won’t be easily put back in the bottle.

    The hardest thing to believe however, is Oravida’s paying large sums of money to National for her services. It’s the husband I pity – I’d pay quite a lot not to have anything to do with her.

    The leadership question is no doubt interesting to the participants – but seriously, neither Joyce nor Collins have the charisma for it. So another three terms in the wilderness for the Gnats – couldn’t happen to a nicer bunch of people.

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