Collins is out of control
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- Date published:
8:25 am, May 5th, 2014 - 232 comments
Categories: john key, Judith Collins, Kelvin Davis, national, same old national -
Tags: maurice williamson, Oravida
Let’s see if you hold your own people to account, shall we, after what you’ve done to Maurice.
I never thought that I would ever utter the phrase “go Judith go!” but after watching her on TVone and TV3 news last night that phrase left my lips.
Because, in my humble opinion, Collins is causing significant damage to National’s re-election chances.
She seems to think that the sacking/resignation of Maurice Williamson is unfair. This, in my opinion, shows that her judgment is clouded. Williamson’s approaching the police about the prosecution of someone who was not a constituent and who was a major donor to the National Party is wrong at so many levels. As I noted previously the Cabinet Manual is very explicit, Ministers should in no way involve themselves in decisions concerning Police Prosecutions. Williamson’s resignation/sacking was almost inevitable and completely justified.
Collins’ attacks on Labour’s Ross Robertson and then on Katie Bradford are frankly weird. A Member of Parliament talking to her about his daughter or a reporter expressing concern that her husband may have been overlooked because his mother in law is a political activist are not in breach of anything and in fact at a human level they are the sorts of things that the Minister for the Police could and should expect people to talk to her about.
But it appears that Collins cannot see this. Even if she thinks that it is all unfair her decision to attack a senior member of the media five months out from an election is bizarre. And her decision to attack publicly is breathtaking.
The treatment by the media in response shows this. These are some of the headlines that I have seen:
Key defends Govt’s relationship with media after Collins targets TVNZ reporter
Judith Collins takes swing at Press Gallery journalist
Judith Collins lashes out at political reporter
Collins apologises to TV journalist
And these are from the four largest media outlets in the country. Why you would without proper justification attack a respected political reporter and risk the ire of the Press Gallery is beyond me.
News from National’s Northern Conference has been completely obliterated. The only other headline I saw was one from Bill English’s speech suggesting that Labour can still win this year’s election. How true is that.
The Media’s response to Collins was immediate. TVOne followed the story about Collins with one on Kelvin Davis which was worthy but it was very unusual that it would be given such priority. Kelvin and Labour will love receiving the publicity.
And to top it all it was revealed by TV3 that Oravida Kauri Ltd, a subsidiary of Oravida is engaged in the extraction and export of swamp Kauri. When asked about what she thought of the environmental damage caused to wetlands Collins said that she was not the Minister responsible for wetlands and she did not care.
Collins has issued an apology of sorts via twitter. If she wants to make a proper one she should ask a Catholic because Twitter is hardly the way to make a fulsome apology.
So what does John Key do? If he fires her then there will be significant repercussions and I am sure that National’s factional fissures will become evident. If he does not fire her then the MSM will no doubt investigate the Oravida scandal probably with increased gusto. And Key will continue to worry every time Collins says something public. There are no upsides here.
As a minimum I would expect Collins to be put on stress leave. And she must be close to the stage where her continued membership of Cabinet will no longer be an option.
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- Labour's PHARMAC Policy A PlaceboLabour has just announced a policy to increase Pharmac funding by $1billion over four years to fund additional medicines. With the current Pharmac budget of $1.2billion per year and needing a further $213million, by Minister Verrall’s own admission, just to keep up with current costs - then this is nothing ...1 week ago
- Labour's PHARMAC Policy A PlaceboLabour has just announced a policy to increase Pharmac funding by $1billion over four years to fund additional medicines. With the current Pharmac budget of $1.2billion per year and needing a further $213million, by Minister Verrall’s own admission, just to keep up with current costs - then this is nothing ...1 week ago
- Re: The Call For Corporate Manslaughter LegislationThis matter begins with the Pike River investigation being inadequate, inexplicably lengthy, and after millions of dollars, the evidence that should have been placed before the public still has not been. We have always believed that Pike River is a crime scene, and that a proper investigation would have come to that conclusion. Blue ...1 week ago
- Re: The Call For Corporate Manslaughter LegislationThis matter begins with the Pike River investigation being inadequate, inexplicably lengthy, and after millions of dollars, the evidence that should have been placed before the public still has not been. We have always believed that Pike River is a crime scene, and that a proper investigation would have come to that conclusion. Blue ...1 week ago
- Release: Labour releases New Zealand’s first climate manifestoNew Zealand faces a stark choice this election – vote for Labour to continue to confront the climate emergency with eyes wide open or bury your head in the sand alongside Christopher Luxon. ...1 week ago
- Green voice crucial for climate actionThe Green Party is today welcoming Labour’s climate manifesto, but is clear that much more will need to be done to tackle the climate crisis. ...1 week ago
- Speech: Chris Hipkins – Wellington Rally, 24 September...1 week ago
- People need a government that will build many more homesLabour’s plan to build more homes is a welcome step forward, but it lacks ambition. ...1 week ago
- Release: Supercharging public housingLabour is supercharging its plan to solve the public housing shortfall created by National, promising another 6,000 homes on top of what has already been committed says Labour Housing spokesperson Dr Megan Woods. ...1 week ago
- Release: New Super Visa for migrants’ parents and rights for Dawn Raid victimsLabour will back migrant working families by introducing a 10-year multiple-entry parents’ and grandparents’ Super Visa, and make good on the Dawn Raids apology by providing a one-off visa for overstayers who have been in the country ten years or more, Labour’s Immigration Spokesperson Andrew Little says. ...1 week ago
- Only the Greens will deliver a fair amnesty for overstayersThe Green Party is today welcoming Labour coming to the table to ensure an amnesty for overstayers, but only the Greens will ensure immigration settings actually reflect the reality of people who have been failed by our immigration system. ...1 week ago
- Climate future of communities on the line this electionGreen Party co leader James Shaw attended a South Dunedin Future street meeting today to discuss local responses to climate change. ...1 week ago
- Green Party calls for stronger action by Auckland Council to protect urban trees and native forestThe Green Party is calling on Auckland Council to do more to protect urban trees and housing developer Aedifice Property Group to restore and replant the native forest it cleared, and protect all the remaining trees on Ngahere Road in Pukekohe after a significant number of native trees were cut ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Ram Raids drop to two-year lowLatest Police data shows monthly ram raids have hit a two-year low, laying waste to Christopher Luxon’s false claim that there are two ram raids a day says Labour’s Police Spokesperson Ginny Andersen. ...2 weeks ago
- Every party needs to step up on school lunchesLabour has finally said it would continue free school lunches - and the Green Party is calling on every party to step up. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: School lunches on the line this electionFree and healthy school lunches will be here to stay if Labour is re-elected, guaranteeing food for our kids who need it most and significant cost saving for parents. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Labour commits to a new hospital for the people of Hawke’s BayThe next Labour Government will build a new hospital in Hawke’s Bay, Labour leader Chris Hipkins and Labour health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall announced. ...2 weeks ago
- Govt changes fall short of what’s needed for migrant protectionThe Green Party will keep up the fight to support exploited migrant workers, including pushing to end single employer visas, after the government picked up Green recommendations to improve immigration settings. ...2 weeks ago
- Clean Power Payment the smartest way forward to reduce emissions and billsGreen Party co leader James Shaw visited a home in Auckland today that has been upgraded with a wide range of energy improvements, similar to those that would be supported through the Green Party’s Clean Power Payment. ...2 weeks ago
- Foreign Minister's Action – A Contempt For “Caretaker Government” ConventionThe Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta’s presence in New York today at the United Nations General Assembly is a contempt of New Zealand’s “caretaker government” convention. Despite the long-standing caretaker convention, Minister Mahuta is today at the UN to sign a highly contentious “Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement”, delivering a ...2 weeks ago
- Back To Black ResponsiblyThe Pre-Election Fiscal Update Changes Everything Within an hour of this speech there is going to be a debate between the political parties that the media, under MMP, still think are the only parties that matter in this campaign. Both of those parties are riddled with inexperience, as evidenced by ...2 weeks ago
- Stop the cuts before they start – Labour launches new TV adNational and ACT's tax plans don't add up, and that means deep cuts to the public services New Zealanders rely on, says Labour Campaign Chair Megan Woods. ...2 weeks ago
- Youth justice programme expands to break cycle of offending
The successful ‘Circuit Breaker’ fast track programme designed to stop repeat youth offending was launched in two new locations today by Children’s Minister Kelvin Davis. The programme, first piloted in West and South Auckland in December last year, is aimed at children aged 10-13 who commit serious offending or continue ...10 hours ago - Major milestone with 20,000 employers using Apprenticeship BoostThe Government’s Apprenticeship Boost initiative has now supported 20,000 employers to help keep on and train up apprentices, Minister for Social Development and Employment Carmel Sepuloni announced in Christchurch today. Almost 62,000 apprentices have been supported to start and keep training for a trade since the initiative was introduced in ...12 hours ago
- Government supporting wood processing jobs and more diverse industryThe Government is supporting non-pine tree sawmilling and backing further job creation in sawmills in Rotorua and Whangarei, Forestry Minister Peeni Henare said. “The Forestry and Wood Processing Industry Transformation Plan identified the need to add more diversity to our productions forests, wood products and markets,” Peeni Henare said. ...13 hours ago
- Government backing Canterbury’s future in aerospace industryThe Government is helping Canterbury’s aerospace industry take off with further infrastructure support for the Tāwhaki Aerospace Centre at Kaitorete, Infrastructure Minister Dr Megan Woods has announced. “Today I can confirm we will provide a $5.4 million grant to the Tāwhaki Joint Venture to fund a sealed runway and hangar ...13 hours ago
- Updated forestry regulations increase council controls and require large slash removalLocal councils will have more power to decide where new commercial forests – including carbon forests – are located, to reduce impacts on communities and the environment, Environment Minister David Parker said today. “New national standards give councils greater control over commercial forestry, including clear rules on harvesting practices and ...14 hours ago
- New Zealand resumes peacekeeping force leadershipNew Zealand will again contribute to the leadership of the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) in the Sinai Peninsula, Egypt, with a senior New Zealand Defence Force officer returning as Interim Force Commander. Defence Minister Andrew Little and Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta have announced the deployment of New Zealand ...1 day ago
- New national direction provides clarity for development and the environmentThe Government has taken an important step in implementing the new resource management system, by issuing a draft National Planning Framework (NPF) document under the new legislation, Environment Minister David Parker said today. “The NPF consolidates existing national direction, bringing together around 20 existing instruments including policy statements, standards, and ...1 day ago
- Government shows further commitment to pay equity for healthcare workersThe Government welcomes the proposed pay equity settlement that will see significant pay increases for around 18,000 Te Whatu Ora Allied, Scientific, and Technical employees, if accepted said Health Minister Ayesha Verrall. The proposal reached between Te Whatu Ora, the New Zealand Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi ...1 day ago
- 100 new public EV chargers to be added to national networkThe public EV charging network has received a significant boost with government co-funding announced today for over 100 EV chargers – with over 200 charging ports altogether – across New Zealand, and many planned to be up and running on key holiday routes by Christmas this year. Minister of Energy ...2 days ago
- Safeguarding Tuvalu language and identityTuvalu is in the spotlight this week as communities across New Zealand celebrate Vaiaso o te Gagana Tuvalu – Tuvalu Language Week. “The Government has a proven record of supporting Pacific communities and ensuring more of our languages are spoken, heard and celebrated,” Pacific Peoples Minister Barbara Edmonds said. “Many ...3 days ago
- New community-level energy projects to support more than 800 Māori householdsSeven more innovative community-scale energy projects will receive government funding through the Māori and Public Housing Renewable Energy Fund to bring more affordable, locally generated clean energy to more than 800 Māori households, Energy and Resources Minister Dr Megan Woods says. “We’ve already funded 42 small-scale clean energy projects that ...6 days ago
- Huge boost to Te Tai Tokerau flood resilienceThe Government has approved new funding that will boost resilience and greatly reduce the risk of major flood damage across Te Tai Tokerau. Significant weather events this year caused severe flooding and damage across the region. The $8.9m will be used to provide some of the smaller communities and maraes ...6 days ago
- Napier’s largest public housing development comes with solarThe largest public housing development in Napier for many years has been recently completed and has the added benefit of innovative solar technology, thanks to Government programmes, says Housing Minister Dr Megan Woods. The 24 warm, dry homes are in Seddon Crescent, Marewa and Megan Woods says the whanau living ...7 days ago
- Te Whānau a Apanui and the Crown initial Deed of Settlement I Kua waitohua e Te Whānau a Apanui me...Māori: Kua waitohua e Te Whānau a Apanui me te Karauna te Whakaaetanga Whakataunga Kua waitohua e Te Whānau a Apanui me te Karauna i tētahi Whakaaetanga Whakataunga hei whakamihi i ō rātou tāhuhu kerēme Tiriti o Waitangi. E tekau mā rua ngā hapū o roto mai o Te Whānau ...1 week ago
- Plan for 3,000 more public homes by 2025 – regions set to benefitRegions around the country will get significant boosts of public housing in the next two years, as outlined in the latest public housing plan update, released by the Housing Minister, Dr Megan Woods. “We’re delivering the most public homes each year since the Nash government of the 1950s with one ...1 week ago
- Immigration settings updatesJudicial warrant process for out-of-hours compliance visits 2023/24 Recognised Seasonal Employer cap increased by 500 Additional roles for Construction and Infrastructure Sector Agreement More roles added to Green List Three-month extension for onshore Recovery Visa holders The Government has confirmed a number of updates to immigration settings as part of ...2 weeks ago
- Poroporoaki: Tā Patrick (Patu) Wahanga HohepaTangi ngunguru ana ngā tai ki te wahapū o Hokianga Whakapau Karakia. Tārehu ana ngā pae maunga ki Te Puna o te Ao Marama. Korihi tangi ana ngā manu, kua hinga he kauri nui ki te Wao Nui o Tāne. He Toa. He Pou. He Ahorangi. E papaki tū ana ...2 weeks ago
- Renewable energy fund to support community resilience40 solar energy systems on community buildings in regions affected by Cyclone Gabrielle and other severe weather events Virtual capability-building hub to support community organisations get projects off the ground Boost for community-level renewable energy projects across the country At least 40 community buildings used to support the emergency response ...2 weeks ago
- COVID-19 funding returned to GovernmentThe lifting of COVID-19 isolation and mask mandates in August has resulted in a return of almost $50m in savings and recovered contingencies, Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall announced today. Following the revocation of mandates and isolation, specialised COVID-19 telehealth and alternative isolation accommodation are among the operational elements ...2 weeks ago
- Appointment of District Court JudgeSusie Houghton of Auckland has been appointed as a new District Court Judge, to serve on the Family Court, Attorney-General David Parker said today. Judge Houghton has acted as a lawyer for child for more than 20 years. She has acted on matters relating to the Hague Convention, an international ...2 weeks ago
- Government invests further in Central Hawke’s Bay resilienceThe Government has today confirmed $2.5 million to fund a replace and upgrade a stopbank to protect the Waipawa Drinking Water Treatment Plant. “As a result of Cyclone Gabrielle, the original stopbank protecting the Waipawa Drinking Water Treatment Plant was destroyed. The plant was operational within 6 weeks of the ...2 weeks ago
- Govt boost for Hawke’s Bay cyclone waste clean-upAnother $2.1 million to boost capacity to deal with waste left in Cyclone Gabrielle’s wake. Funds for Hastings District Council, Phoenix Contracting and Hog Fuel NZ to increase local waste-processing infrastructure. The Government is beefing up Hawke’s Bay’s Cyclone Gabrielle clean-up capacity with more support dealing with the massive amount ...2 weeks ago
- Taupō Supercars revs up with Government supportThe future of Supercars events in New Zealand has been secured with new Government support. The Government is getting engines started through the Major Events Fund, a special fund to support high profile events in New Zealand that provide long-term economic, social and cultural benefits. “The Repco Supercars Championship is ...2 weeks ago
- There is no recession in NZ, economy grows nearly 1 percent in June quarterThe economy has turned a corner with confirmation today New Zealand never was in recession and stronger than expected growth in the June quarter, Finance Minister Grant Robertson said. “The New Zealand economy is doing better than expected,” Grant Robertson said. “It’s continuing to grow, with the latest figures showing ...2 weeks ago
- Highest legal protection for New Zealand’s largest freshwater springsThe Government has accepted the Environment Court’s recommendation to give special legal protection to New Zealand’s largest freshwater springs, Te Waikoropupū Springs (also known as Pupū Springs), Environment Minister David Parker announced today. “Te Waikoropupū Springs, near Takaka in Golden Bay, have the second clearest water in New Zealand after ...2 weeks ago
- More support for victims of migrant exploitationTemporary package of funding for accommodation and essential living support for victims of migrant exploitation Exploited migrant workers able to apply for a further Migrant Exploitation Protection Visa (MEPV), giving people more time to find a job Free job search assistance to get people back into work Use of 90-day ...2 weeks ago
- Strong export boost as NZ economy turns cornerAn export boost is supporting New Zealand’s economy to grow, adding to signs that the economy has turned a corner and is on a stronger footing as we rebuild from Cyclone Gabrielle and lock in the benefits of multiple new trade deals, Finance Minister Grant Robertson says. “The economy is ...2 weeks ago
- Funding approved for flood resilience work in Te KarakaThe Government has approved $15 million to raise about 200 homes at risk of future flooding. More than half of this is expected to be spent in the Tairāwhiti settlement of Te Karaka, lifting about 100 homes there. “Te Karaka was badly hit during Cyclone Gabrielle when the Waipāoa River ...2 weeks ago
- Further business support for cyclone-affected regionsThe Government is helping businesses recover from Cyclone Gabrielle and attract more people back into their regions. “Cyclone Gabrielle has caused considerable damage across North Island regions with impacts continuing to be felt by businesses and communities,” Economic Development Minister Barbara Edmonds said. “Building on our earlier business support, this ...2 weeks ago
- New maintenance facility at Burnham Military Camp underwayDefence Minister Andrew Little has turned the first sod to start construction of a new Maintenance Support Facility (MSF) at Burnham Military Camp today. “This new state-of-art facility replaces Second World War-era buildings and will enable our Defence Force to better maintain and repair equipment,” Andrew Little said. “This Government ...2 weeks ago
- Foreign Minister to attend United Nations General AssemblyForeign Minister Nanaia Mahuta will represent New Zealand at the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York this week, before visiting Washington DC for further Pacific focussed meetings. Nanaia Mahuta will be in New York from Wednesday 20 September, and will participate in UNGA leaders ...2 weeks ago
- Midwives’ pay equity offer reachedAround 1,700 Te Whatu Ora employed midwives and maternity care assistants will soon vote on a proposed pay equity settlement agreed by Te Whatu Ora, the Midwifery Employee Representation and Advisory Service (MERAS) and New Zealand Nurses Association (NZNO), Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall announced today. “Addressing historical pay ...3 weeks ago
- New Zealand provides support to MoroccoAotearoa New Zealand will provide humanitarian support to those affected by last week’s earthquake in Morocco, Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta announced today. “We are making a contribution of $1 million to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to help meet humanitarian needs,” Nanaia Mahuta said. ...3 weeks ago
- Government invests in West Coast’s roading resilienceThe Government is investing over $22 million across 18 projects to improve the resilience of roads in the West Coast that have been affected by recent extreme weather, Prime Minister Chris Hipkins confirmed today. A dedicated Transport Resilience Fund has been established for early preventative works to protect the state ...3 weeks ago
- France to host Pacific defence ministers in New Caledonia ‘hub’ meeting
By Patrick Decloitre, RNZ French Pacific correspondent Defence ministers from several Asian and Pacific states are scheduled to meet in New Caledonia for two days during the first week of December, French Armed Forces in New Caledonia (FANC) commander General Yann Latil announced at the weekend. He added that French ...2 hours ago - NEW POLL: Statistical Tie Between National And ACT In Race For Tāmaki
A new Taxpayers Union – Curia poll in the Tāmaki electorate shows ACT’s Brooke van Velden mounting a strong challenge to incumbent National MP, Simon O’Connor. The two major candidates for the seat are locked in a statistical tie with 35% of ...2 hours ago - Labour-friendly turf Christchurch throws up some testy exchanges for Carmel Sepuloni
The Cabinet Minister was challenged on her party's record on crime, the cost of living, veterans and beneficiaries during a visit to territory normally considered a Labour heartland. ...2 hours ago - Australia’s emissions must decline more steeply to reach climate commitment: OECDSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Australia’s emissions need to decline “on a much steeper trajectory” if it is to meet its declared commitment of a 43% reduction by 2030 and net zero by 2050, the Organisation of Economic Co-operation and ...3 hours ago
- Tāmaki Is Ready For A Fresh New Voice“Tonight at the Taxpayer’s Union Tāmaki debate I put forward to voters why I should be the next advocate for their community in Parliament,” says ACT Deputy Leader and Tāmaki candidate Brooke van Velden. “After 63 years being represented ...3 hours ago
- Against All Odds In Hauraki-WaikatoThe youngest candidate in this year’s election is closing in on the Labour stronghold of Hauraki-Waikato. A Whakaata Māori exclusive poll has revealed that Te Pāti Māori newcomer, Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke, is just four percentage points behind Labour’s ...3 hours ago
- General election 2023: Nanaia Mahuta facing serious challenge in Hauraki-Waikato, poll showsThe incumbent MP is just four points ahead of one of the youngest candidates in this year's general election, a poll conducted for Whakaata Māori is revealing. ...4 hours ago
- ACT's Brooke van Velden turns up heat on Simon O'Connor in new pollThe ACT party candidate is locked in a statistical tie with the incumbent in the previously safe National seat of Tāmaki, a new Taxpayers' Union-Curia poll reveals. ...5 hours ago
- Simon O’Connor vs Brooke van Velden will go to wire in Tāmaki – new poll
Following a poll last week which depicted Chlöe Swarbrick in a battle to hold on to Auckland Central, another seat in the city has been confirmed as balanced on a knife edge. In a battle among the parties of the right in Tāmaki, sitting MP Simon O’Connor leads Brooke van ...5 hours ago - No rate hike yet, but will it rise on Melbourne Cup Day? It all depends on petrol pricesSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Martin, Visiting Fellow, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University If the Reserve Bank does push up interest rates again, the most likely next date is its next board meeting, on Melbourne Cup Tuesday. The November 7 meeting is especially ...5 hours ago
- The disability royal commission heard horrific stories of harm – now we must move towards repairSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jack Francis Kelly, Honorary Research Fellow, School of the Built Environment, University of Technology Sydney The Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability has shared its final report. In this series, we unpack what the commission’s 222 ...6 hours ago
- My Sister Jill: Patricia Cornelius’ new play is a blistering post-war social and cultural commenta...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sarah Austin, Lecturer in Theatre, The University of Melbourne Sarah Walker/MTC Emerging from one of Australia’s most enduring and significant theatrical partnerships between director Susie Dee and playwright Patricia Cornelius, My Sister Jill is a contemporary homage to George Johnston’s ...6 hours ago
- ‘I voted’ stickers not offered this election due to lack of demand – ECThere’s been a strong outpouring on social media after it emerged that polling booths wouldn’t be handing out the orange man “I voted” stickers during this year’s election. And while many have claimed this to be a new decision, the Electoral Commission told The Spinoff the stickers weren’t actually given ...7 hours ago
- Politicians Need To Break R&D Funding Election Cycle For Science To ThriveBioTechNZ has called on the next Government to leverage the use of biotechnology to transform the economy, lift the performance of New Zealand industries, and create high-value jobs. The organisation, whose members all share a desire to maximise the ...7 hours ago
- National Party Statement On Prostate Cancer WelcomedMore than 4000 men are diagnosed and over 700 die from prostate cancer every year. That’s more than twice the road toll. Men’s lives matter too. The Prostate Cancer Foundation today welcomed statements by the National Party relating to prostate cancer ...7 hours ago
- We started a service for people worried about their sexual thoughts about children. Here’s what we...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gemma McKibbin, Senior Research Fellow, The University of Melbourne Shutterstock In its 2017 final report, the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse identified that there was no large-scale national early intervention service in Australia for people worried ...7 hours ago
- Large slash must now be removed after harvesting, new forestry regulations sayCyclone Gabrielle highlighted the need for better regulations on forestry, after woody debris was washed into waterways and caused widespread damage and flooding. ...7 hours ago
- Voice support up in Essential poll, but it is still behindSource: 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 referendum on the Indigenous Voice to parliament will be held on October 14. A national Essential poll, conducted September 27 to ...8 hours ago
- Election 2023: National 'mischief making' over claims Ingrid Leary backs wealth tax –...The Labour leader is downplaying comments by his MP, Ingrid Leary, who has spoken in favour of a wealth tax. ...8 hours ago
- Time For Aotearoa NZ To Stop Investing In Infrastructure For YesterdayTime to invest in infrastructure for a modern, flourishing, resilient tomorrow. The New Zealand Federation of Multicultural Councils hosted its 34th AGM and Community Awards Dinner on the weekend of the 16th – 17th September 2023 in Wellington. Twenty-four ...8 hours ago
- More than 50,000 people cast ballot on first day of advance votingThe first day of advance voting yesterday saw 56,557 people cast their ballots, according to the Electoral Commission. That’s a big drop on day one of advance voting in 2020, when 92,434 people took part. Given the exceptional, Covid-impacted circumstances of the last election, however, a more instructive comparison may ...9 hours ago
- Climate debate puts parties' emissions policies under scrutinyWith New Zealand on track to fall 114 million tonnes short of the 2030 emissions reduction target, and billions of dollars likely needed to pay for it, political parties have debated their climate policies. ...9 hours ago
- Climate debate puts parties' emissions policies under scrutinyWith New Zealand on track to fall 114 million tonnes short of the 2030 emissions reduction target, and billions of dollars likely needed to pay for it, political parties have debated their climate policies. ...9 hours ago
- ACT unveils medicines policy including one-week approvalsACT is promising to require one-week Medsafe approvals for drugs and medical devices approved by at least two similar countries. ...9 hours ago
- Gambling with Covid: Repeat infections are damaging usThe science is clear, the effects are profound and the toll of Long Covid and reinfections can’t be ignored, writes Freya Sawbridge. On August 15, mandates ceased for masks in healthcare settings along with isolation for positive cases. That marked the end of the final two pandemic restrictions. Anyone wanting to ...9 hours ago
- West Papua’s human rights issues under spotlight for Jubi film launchJubi News in Jayapura Director Latifah Anum Siregar of the Democracy Alliance for Papua (ALDP) has emphasised the importance of raising awareness about human rights violations in Papua during a discussion at the launch of five Jubi Documentary films. The event took place at the St. Nicholaus Ambassador of Peace ...10 hours ago
- New Zealand First Policy Announcement: Parliamentary Conscience Votes· New Zealand First will put an end to the use of conscience votes in parliament and return democracy to the people. · New Zealand First has always believed that important decisions that change the social fabric of our country forever should not ...10 hours ago
- Holes in baby dinosaur bones show how football-sized hatchlings grew to 3-tonne teensSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Roger S. Seymour, Professor Emeritus of Physiology, University of Adelaide Shutterstock Despite their public image as torpid, lumbering creatures, many dinosaurs were evidently warm-blooded, highly active animals, capable of prolonged and strenuous aerobic exercise. In new research, my colleagues ...11 hours ago
- Israel Adesanya is still fighting past demonsMike Minogue watched the new documentary on Israel Adesanya and recognised how hard it is to leave bullies behind. It would have been an entirely satisfactory piece of work. Imagine a documentary that unfolds with behind the scenes footage of the once unknown subject’s journey from utter obscurity, all the ...11 hours ago
- Corporate Welfare For Wood Processing Leaves Taxpayers’ Union StumpedThe Taxpayers’ Union is questioning the Government’s decision to provide corporate welfare to the wood processing sector, both in the form of direct hand-outs and the Government playing bank manager by providing loans when this could easily be left ...11 hours ago
- Humpback whales hold lore for Traditional Custodians. But laws don’t protect species for their cul...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jack Pascoe, Research fellow, The University of Melbourne Back to Country, CC BY-NC-ND For saltwater people of Australia’s east and west coasts, humpback whales hold important lore in the form of stories. For the Yuin people of the east ...11 hours ago
- Wellington Town Hall repairs could cost as much as $330mThe cost of repairing Wellington’s Town Hall has blown out again, with projections now forecast at $250-$330 million, up from a previous estimated completion cost of $182m. The Town Hall has been closed since it was damaged in the 2013 Seddon earthquake. The first cost estimates for repairs were $43 ...11 hours ago
- Lowlights from a media debate where half the parties didn’t even show upIn 2020 the pandemic briefly made the media central to our politics. A debate three years on shows how much that has changed. If you want to know just how far media has fallen as an area of interest for our political class, here are some realities to consider. Act’s ...12 hours ago
- Bryce Edwards’ Political Roundup: Ten reasons Labour’s support has halved12 hours ago
- Luxon maintains he can’t reschedule debate, offers alternatives for HipkinsNational’s Christopher Luxon has defended his decision not to move his schedule around in order to attend a leaders’ debate in Christchurch. With Chris Hipkins testing positive for Covid-19, tonight’s Press debate can’t go ahead. Hipkins had made himself available after he leaves isolation, but Luxon said his schedule was ...12 hours ago
- The debate over the debateIt’s Tuesday, October 3 and welcome along to The Spinoff’s election live updates. We’re now just 11 days out from polling day. I’m Stewart Sowman-Lund. Get in touch with me on [email protected] Learn more about the political parties and what they stand for at Policy.nz The agenda The ...13 hours ago
- National promises post-natal hospital stays, diabetes monitors, mental health training boostNational is promising longer after-birth hospital stays for mothers, free glucose monitors for children with type-1 diabetes and more psychiatrist and psychologist training places. ...13 hours ago
- Government pledges $5.4m to build runway and hangar facilities at KaitoreteThe government is pledging $5.4m to help build runway and hangar facilities at Kaitorete on Banks Peninsula to support the aerospace industry. ...13 hours ago
- How to accept loss (political edition)Sure, it’s not over yet, but it’s time for Labour supporters to face facts: October 14 is not looking promising. Haimona Gray has some tips for how to prepare for the very real possibility of a big gut-punch loss at the polls. The year was 1999. The place was, technically, ...13 hours ago
- Election 2023: Some young Asian voters want to see more engagement from political partiesAsians are the fastest-growing ethnic group in Aotearoa, but some young Asian voters say their voices are not being heard in this election. ...13 hours ago
- Weet-Bix will be back at The Warehouse, confirms SanitariumThe stand-off between Weet-Bix manufacturers Sanitarium and The Warehouse has ended, with confirmation today the breakfast cereal will be back in store. Last week, The Warehouse went to the Commerce Commission after being told Weet-Bix would be pulled from its stores nationwide over the weekend. The retailer claimed it was ...14 hours ago
- Election 2023: Experts call out Winston Peters over climate change claimsNew Zealand First leader Winston Peters has been spreading misleading climate information at public meetings. ...14 hours ago
- Taxpayers’ Union Responds To Te Pūkenga's Unsuccessful Ad CampaignDespite facing consistent financial challenges and relying on taxpayer bailouts - most recently to the tune of $220 million in May's budget - The Waikato Times has revealed a staggering $15.6 million spent on ads, PR, and publications, which includes ...14 hours ago
- Morning Report hosts climate debate with Labour, National, and GreensLabour's Megan Woods, National's Simon Watts and the Greens' James Shaw took part in a live climate debate on Morning Report. ...15 hours ago
- Bottom Trawling Ban Can’t Avoid Fishing Areas, Says GreenpeaceGreenpeace has welcomed Labour’s support for banning bottom trawling on seamounts but warns the ‘devil is in the detail’, reminding political leaders that meaningful ocean protection means urgently banning the method from where it does the most harm. ...15 hours ago
- Costco Living Wage Settlement Sets New Standard For Grocery PayNearly 200 FIRST Union members who work at Costco in Auckland are "setting a new standard" for the supermarket and grocery industry after ratifying the store’s first Collective Agreement, which includes starting rates above the living ...15 hours ago
- The cost of being: A junior consultant in WellingtonAs part of our series exploring how New Zealanders live and our relationship with money, a 22-year-old consultant with a $30,000 student loan shares where his money goes. Gender: Male Age: 22 Ethnicity: Pākehā Work situation: Junior analyst for a multinational consulting firm. I get a yearly salary of $65,000. This is my first ...15 hours ago
- How AI Is Changing Democracy: Nudging, Microtargeting, And Epistemic BubblesToday, Maxim Institute releases our latest discussion paper, “ How AI is changing democracy: nudging, microtargeting, and epistemic bubbles. ” According to the authors, “AI brings many benefits to society that may come to affect nearly every area of ...15 hours ago
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Judyth For PM – at least with her we all know she is a dodgy liar – what you see is what you get – unlike the current one
Surly wee sausage.
Even Fairfax are putting the boot in:
“Key said it was acceptable for a member of the public to raise matters with ministers about policing matters, something which was totally different to Williamson phoning a senior police officer on behalf of a Chinese businessman who had made a large donation to the National Party.”
Slippery’s too close to this issue, what with his face all over the advertising.
National needs a new leader. A strong leader. A leader who isn’t tainted by all the petty incompetences and brain fades, the forgetfullness, the slurring and the ridiculous clowning around on catwalks and chat shows.
That winning smile says it all. All the way with JC in 2014!
You mean Paula Bennett? God help us all!
Judith must prevail. Slippery’s sloppy management caused this whole problem. He didn’t back her from the start, fell back on the weak “Cabinet” “Manual” excuse while those hateful newshounds and that awful Cunliffe went about their business.
Leaders have to be strong. Judith is strong.
Bring back gilmore!
I don’t know who that is…
the fish rots from the head first.
wait for key to be painted as some kind of victim of recalcitrant ministers rather than
monkey see monkey do
wow. just wow@ collins last night on the news. was she suppressing a smile/laugh.
that unstable smile seemed more like a bully’s smarm,
painted on with vitriol and bound by innate belief in her own righteousness
[Re:National needs a new leader. A strong leader. A leader who isn’t tainted by all the petty incompetences and brain fades, the forgetfullness, the slurring and the ridiculous clowning around on catwalks and chat shows]
Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi.
Bakshi is as dodgy as they come, he is a crook just like the rest of the nats under john key.
Granny poll has 53% Crusher should step down. This from Herald readers! She’s a goner.
We must defend Judith 😀
Yes, she must stay for the sake of a better New Zealand. Even Key thinks so. Good on you Jude. You go girl!
Especially with her literally saying she don’t care if Oravida Kauri LTD rip up the wetlands to get at the Kauri logs and ship them to China. This also has to be a biggie with the Greens and conservationists. Just to add another straw to the camels back.
“And then we moved onto revelations from 3rd Degree that another company her husband is a director of, Oravida Kauri, has been digging up swamp Kauri to eventually send offshore. She told us to “mind your own business”.
“Has that got anything to do with me? Am I the minister of wetlands? So go and find someone who cares about this, because I don’t.”
http://www.3news.co.nz/Judith-Collins-takes-swing-at-Press-Gallery-journalist/tabid/1607/articleID/342712/Default.aspx
You see? Judith is strong. Watch what happens to “environmentalists” when she’s in charge.
Judith Collins is an idiot and an egomaniac. Its election year, and she has just hammered some more nails into her political coffin.
And on the STUFF poll,
Q: Can Judith Collins stay on as a minister?
Yes, the controversy doesn’t affect how she works
121 votes, 19.9%
Yes, but only just
58 votes, 9.5%
No, it’s the last straw and she should resign
429 votes, 70.6%
Total 608 votes
See here:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/10007952/Pressure-on-Collins-following-outburst
The Upside for National is that Labour will waste another weeks worth of questions without making any progress at all.
Is that it? Is this the extent of the RWNJ response to what has been the most sustained attack on a senior National Party figure in years?
they are all so relieved it isnt key!
Current ‘blind’ holdings would sure be an interesting read.
Brilliant strategy Fis. Is that something Joyce came up with do you think?
ms collins was a tax lawyer. her job was to lobby for, and exploit, loopholes.
Surely the caption to the photo should have said :
Zip it Sweetie
+1
Paula the Charming One was so proud of her “Zip it Sweetie” that she had/sold tshirts with it on and they sold well amongst Nats. She could give one to her mate Judy.
actually the other side of the house should all wear
zip it sweetie
and
sensitive wee sausage
under blazers at question time.
Too right Tracey! Yes. What goes around….
they should also unfurl a banner across the front benches, where-on is printed Cabinet Rule 2.62
then at least the Speaker would get to see it, which might be handy considering the range of questions now open to the opposition
Veutoviper predicted yesterday that she would go on leave.
Any other takers?
Any other proposals?
My prediction is Key will just move her away from the media untiol after budget, and continue to front media himself – he needs her too much in caucus to sin-bin her.
There’s a sporting chance one of Key’s GCSB henchbrutes will tranq her.
But only in a nice way and for her own good and in the interest of New Zealand’s security.
chuckle
Not long to go now.
“Word has it that” … some phone calls are being made about a possible announcement this afternoon or before midday tomorrow.
yup. it’s done. she has been put to bed.
btw, the responsibilities of governing do not go on sick leave
the portfolio work and duties of the State must be passed on to other cabinet colleagues … Justice, ACC, Ethnic Affairs
I am still standing by my predictions on OM last night that we will hear that she is going on leave either today or tomorrow morning.
http://thestandard.org.nz/spin-slater-spin/#comment-808899
http://thestandard.org.nz/spin-slater-spin/#comment-808907
http://thestandard.org.nz/spin-slater-spin/#comment-808930
IMO Key cannot stand her down as a Minister – she knows too much; she will spill the beans if he does. Espiner on Morning Report pressed Key on the possibility of Collins standing down as a Minister and/or her going on leave this morning and Key would not commit to a yes or no to any of his questions.
BUT they will not want her in the House for Question Time tomorrow or the near future with the further revelations that are coming out of the release of the MFAT emails about the planning for her trip and the infamous ‘private dinner’.
I should acknowledge that Veutoviper’s comments made me think about Collins going on stress leave.
No need to, MS. Yesterday’s events just brought to mind the Nick Smith situation some years ago when he lost the plot. Couldn’t remember the exact details or date, but I see that Toad @7.2 has now provided a link.
Not turning up in the house to answer oral questions doesnt require leave. Key does this all the time. They just stay in their office and another Minister is allocated the question.
Agreed, but Collins remaining in the Parliamentary precinct but not attending the House would lead to even more publicity etc than if she was offsite on leave. She was already using the back stairs etc before the current recess to avoid the press, but couldn’t avoid them.
And A question for TricKey in the House tomorrow. Did you send Collins on Leave ? and why ?
and… ding, ding, ding! veuto was spot on: Collins to take a few days off. – though she will front up to Question Time tomorrow – I guess that would have been too damning to dodge that.
Funny that her Caucus colleagues are not clapping every time she gives non-answer to questions at Question Time.This clapping is a usual way of Nats showing support but are strangely silent these days. Tomorrow?
Nat Caucus usually clap an answer after a Minister has been under pressure in Question Time but Judy is not getting the clap. Caucus strangely quiet. Distancing themselves perhaps?
(My previous comment here disappeared.)
Any other options? MEDICATION.
Judith Collins, the gift that keeps on giving. Long may she remain a Minister (only up to the election, of course).
Interesting to see Cameron Slater defending Collins & Williamson and attacking Key and Katie Bradford over at that site I can’t bring myself to link to.
Of course he is defending them , he is a mouthpiece for them and long time personal friend. Williamson, he has known for his whole life.
For the good of the party I think it’s important that Judith prevails.
Which party?
National. Key is weak, compromised by his Oravida modelling commitments, and he doesn’t back his ministers when they help constituents.
I also like how they fail to realise the difference between an ordinary citizen having a moan and a minister of the crown abusing his position of power.
Ok Judith, we’ll stop talking about Maurice and get back to looking into Oravida.
😆
Looks like this outburst may have had the desired effect of removing prying eyes from her personal (sarc) meeting and Orivida, but she gaffed by making a mortal enemy of the press, and opened the door for other issues.
Her outburst over Williamson indicates she may have lost one of her Judith For PM stablemates.
Weighing up everything in the past couple of months, this episode may just be “the straw that broke the camels back” She’s lost to much face and credibility to be a PM.
Not exactly. Morning report was all over the new Oravida emails, Grant Robertson did a great job, and Judith can survive this, in fact this is her opportunity to show Key what a strong leader can do.
He sealed his own fate when he used the Cabinet Manual as an excuse to humiliate her. He didn’t back her, he just threw her to the dogs.
Go Judith.
I expect there is a certain amount of embarrassment in the investor community over all this. Having Slippery’s brand on your scampi might not turn out that well after all.
Oravida doesnt make sense, there is no marketing genius in their promotional material. The products they choose are marginal ( fresh milk??)iIt defies sense to ship it halfway across the world- thats what milk powder is for- and it adds no value to what comes out of the cow.
The owner of Oravida seems to spend all his time on the golf course, its laughable compared to other tycoons.
Fresh milk? They charge the Chinese $20 per bottle (per litre?) for airfreighted fresh NZ milk. Great profit while it lasts.
Imagine if there was a hold up at the entry port. Disastrous! Why then they would have to get a NZ Minister to intervene with the border control to get their milk through as a special favour. Perhaps but that would never happen. Nah. Ridiculous!
Never underestimate rich idiots.
In primary industries, the best marketing strategy is “fresh is best” – almost always the most valuable product (think apples v apple juice, kiwifruit v kiwifruit wine, fresh milk v milk powder, chilled v frozen meat). “Value added” usually involves destroying value and then trying to get that value back. So I think trying to sell fresh milk to China is a great (albeit very niche) idea. Better still would be NZ dairy companies setting up farms in China, close to the market – much cheaper transportation costs and also environmentally better.
Reputation management business is looking up.
Reputation recovery must be a harder task though..
…especially when it’s flat-lining..
still, pilots do most of their work when the plane’s either going up or coming down…
Might as well milk this plane while it crashes (to mix metaphors)
So what is your pick on Collins’s future Matthew?
Matt’s pick should be informed by Judith’s kind of advice that was twittered in response to a question by Danyl sometime ago – paraphrased here with editorial discretion:
“You’re walking through the desolation of John Key’s caucus and you see a twit lying on its back, struggling and absolutely losing the plot. You don’t help it. Why is that?”
Answer:
https://twitter.com/JudithCollinsMP/status/334845576711634944#
we would have to lease land though matthew, they wont sell to us?
Actually, we’d just be investors that could be kicked out later. All the Chinese really need is the importation of some of our dairy stock and then they no longer need anything from us.
I’m all for this as it would help destroy the rather stupid export industry we have here.
Yes Matthew. If the buyers are willing to pay top dollars then so be it. Mind you I have seen no real evidence that organic food is any better for you than non-organic. But if willing and able to pay more why not.
China is amoung the largest milk producers without our help.
The order is India, USA, China , Pakistan, Brazil.
We are of course the largest ‘exporter’ but I dont think China is interested in exporting milk products.
And NZ cows are not especially high producers per cow by other western countries standards
Mutton flaps are more important for the average Chinese as it used , thinly sliced, in hotpot dishes.
Fresh is best ? Tell that to macdonalds. Seems like another fast food chain opens up every 5 years or so. Must be not listening to the media chefs and the upper middle classes
Boom in live cattle exports to China
/shrug
Either a marketing exercise or Chinese cows aren’t as good as ours. Or both.
Mr Hooton, as it is your article, can you clear this confusion up for us please?
http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-05052014/#comment-809146
Having Keys face plastered on a slimy deep sea cockroach is pure marketing genius.
It is not often we agree oab, but this will be exactly the case.
Investors / business people, despite being relative risk-takers, veer heavily away at speed in circumstances like these. There will be many unhappy people.
agree.
although entrepreneurs are usually the risk takers. after tge initial risk they hire bcoms and mbas to come and run things. those folks are very conservative and very bottom line driven.
they will veer toward absolute self interest which is exactly what collins and williamsons colleagues are also doing now.
孔子reckons “Key’s promises are like dead fish – cannot stand the test of time.”
Exactly. Judith is made of sterner stuff. If you’re going to ask her questions and you’re on solid ground, make sure you aren’t standing on a plastic sheet.
All hail Judith.
ShonKey has got himself snookered here. Who will end up being crushed though at election time?
Micky’s suggestion of “stress leave” is most thoughtful. If that reaches Judith via one of her minions it should really incite her to another Warthog style rampage.
The pressure is on, Key is running out of options: Start to look powerless and accept the hits or stand down Collins and watch her go loco.
Yeah, having Collins, Williamson & Slater go renegade on the Nats’ right flank would be fun to watch. Key would be up against a pretty formidable team there.
Well it looks like Slater is now going for Hooton’s throat, great to see them all turn in on each other. It really shows how brittle the National party is once they get exposed to a bit of daylight.
Collins, Williamson and Slater might be formidable in their ability to inflict damage, but I doubt it would be very well targeted. They’d damage the whole National Party. The sooner they start, the better.
Yeah, there’s precedent. Nick Smith was put on stress leave shortly before his forced resignation as National Deputy Leader in 2003 following some similarly bizarre behaviour.
But I’s hate to see that happen to Collins as she is doing as much to ensure a Labour-Green Government as anyone in Labour or the Greens at the moment.
In that situation, the leader didnt want him ( Don Brash) and Smith had a big row with the party whip.
Collins is not having her arguments within the party
Yeah watch out micky, You’re about to be twittered? Enjoy it. 🙂
Bill English got one thing wrong – “It’ll be close” he said. Corruption doesn’t go down well with the voters: it’s going to be a landslide.
That’s what I’m thinking. The stink of corruption always emanates from National but it’s getting significantly worse as their time in government rolls on.
“News from National’s Northern Conference has been completely obliterated.”
I did hear on RNZ the PM say:
“The Greens are against jobs, growth, etc, etc,…..and if you don’t believe me just ask…..
Shane Jones”
This could have been another one of Keys lame jokes, the delivery suggested it was an attempt to garner some laughs, but it fell flat possibly because the real joke is that Key now sees Jones as his trusted advisor.
I’ve never thought much of Collins or her mean and nasty technique, but it’s been enlightening to see just how similar to Slater she is, it explains why they have such a close relationship.
What I am really interested in is the response
toby the RWNJ’s. I thought my post from yesterday and this one would goad the usual suspects into responding. It is not as if they are ignoring either post. Both posts have had a large number of views.Bomber has suggested (http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2014/05/05/why-key-cant-punish-judith-collins-till-after-the-election-and-the-new-factional-war-inside-national/) that Collins targeting Katie Bradford was deliberate and a dog whistle to her supporters. He also notes that Hooton and Jordan Williams have had a major spat on twitter. He notes Slater complaining about MP selections that did not go Collins way.
The premise is that we are seeing civil war break out in National’s ranks. Can’t say I disagree.
I made same point as Bomber last week.
The three Billy Goats Gruff are getting bored and threatening to trash the green green grass unless they get some action soon.
If so I wonder if it will result in the final breakup of National that’s been on the cards for decades.
No, probably not. National are better collectivists than the left and want the power that comes from being a single party in government.
It has a lot of similarities to the Tea party: infiltration from within, media blowhards on blogs and talkback repeating your lines.
The one name that I havent heard pop up, but who must be involved somewhere is Ruth Richardson
and don’t forget Shipley, the most unseen of all shadows in NZ-China relations
national has long, imo, been made up of uf or act leaning people. perhaps this is the ideological split
OR
its just the natural result of the pursuit of self interest, and two have been caught out.
but why now?
usually the self interest of keeping their power keeps their mouths shut.
or have the just become so cocksure they assumed everything would stay under wraps or capable of going away with another lie?
Maybe because the nats know that Key is leaving soonish. Whoever becomes leader may become the next PM. This is a fight for the future of the National Party and Collins does not intend to lose …
i wondered that, and then he gave that interview at his “bach” about being around for a fourth term. i know he lies, and maybe this was one of them.
National needs a strong leader. Judith is strong, and she takes care of her friends.
^^^^ THIS.
Its apparent that so far as John Key is concerned its pretty much game over. He’s had enough. I noticed this a couple of months ago when he made repeated references to his “legacy”. He stopped that pretty quick but, have you noticed his latest thought-stopping technique in media comments:
” . . . in the end . . .”
He must have said this about 100 times in the last week. The use of the phrase carries within it the tacit notion that what ever current National Ltd™ crisis is being discussed is over, move along, nothing to see here. The thought-stopper is a little more sophisticated than his permanent state of “being relaxed” but, while it may be accidental, I think its also indicative of John Key’s internal state of mind in that he knows this is the end. My bet: this time next year he will be miles away twittering on in his usual blithe state as he lines up a shot on the vast greens of Planet Key.
(Speaking of perception management techniques, and considering the wider goings-on within the National Ltd™ PR spin machine, I note that of the 25 Rules of Disinformation, National Ltd™ is applying just about all of them right across its entire engagement with the public, the media, and even with its own people. One of Crosby/Textor’s favourite techniques is to accuse your opposition of what it is that you are weak on. The narrative that Labour, and the left generally, are a disorganised rabble riddled with rifts actually, when you look at the facts, applies far more to National Ltd™ and is becoming more obvious by the day. )
QFT
Yes where is our friend srylands? Etc?
Maybe they’re all the same person…
slylands starts work at ten, so hes still reading the posts here.
Plus there’s the time zone difference with Australia to consider..
No, he’s just walking from his employer-provided car-park halfway up the Terrace to his office on Pipitea St.
Particularly given that the address provided (125 The Terrace) isn’t actually a car parking building… Yes, it contains car parks but I gather they are utilised by building tenants rather than the public..
No I assure you that the Carpark at 125 The Terrace is run by Wilson Parking. Anyone can get a park there, but there is a wait. I pay for the carpark myself. But I do then walk to the office in Pipitea Street.
I have no idea what the Australia crack is.
“Yes where is our friend srylands? Etc?
Maybe they’re all the same person…”
Dunno how many are the same person, but it’s a pretty neat trick to have them all appear and disappear together, isn’t it?
no
national tearing about at the seams
national in chaos
headlines tho.
And its spilling out into the streets. I’d say there’s a lot of pent-up frustration in the Nat. Caucus – and even among activist members – because they’ve been under strict totalitarian rule since 2008. Even their local reports to constituents are written for them – remember the [insert name/electorate here] revelation? They have been told what to think… what to say… what to do… and woe betide anyone who steps out of line. Its coming back to bite them?
goldsmith has billboards with his and nick smiths face announcing a public meeting in epsom. i didnt know whether to laugh or cry.
I think the RWNJs tactic is to go silent on bad news for them. It’s like there is a policy to not give negative stories any oxygen.
“Why are you afraid of commenting”
“Staying silent makes it look like you have something to hide”
“Have you no defence against the allegations”
Suddenly they are staunch advocates for the right to silence…?
Rob Salmond is predicting/promising more revelations re Oravida later today:
😈 😆
http://polity.co.nz/blog-front
Lays it out beautifully.
The country knows from past incidents that John Key has problems making himself read documents and also major difficulties trying to remember.
So can someone bring him the OIA-dumped papers that reveal Judith breached Cabinet Manual rules, lock the office door and watch over him to ensure he reads them, and then accompany him to a pre-scheduled press conference, as well as hang around to remind him the announcement that he needs to make.
So a daft bint with an enormous sense of entitlement has discovered fresh air and a long drop beneath her feet.
But, she’s entitled! And so it’s all just a wee bit hard for her to grasp.
She was entitled to do whatever she did with regards Orivida. No question. Did she feel entitled to take a tilt for the leadership of the National Party? If she did, she probably still does. And as said, I’d punt she can’t comprehend the unraveling that’s under way. So she lashes out at any and all ingrates who put any kind of focus on what she feels entitled to do.
There’s no plan, no strategy or sense of timing. It’s just the desperate and blind flailing that comes from doomed, and not altogether bright bastards before the inevitable drop.
Interesting comments and analysis from Bomber Bradbury on this issue…”Why Key can’t punish Judith Collins till after the election and the new factional war inside National” –
http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2014/05/05/why-key-cant-punish-judith-collins-till-after-the-election-and-the-new-factional-war-inside-national/
if she is being denied her mp selections how can she also be well positioned post election? on the face of it those statements are contradictory.
Yes, Machiavellian
The observation that none of her nominations were accepted makes me wonder whether we should be taking a closer look at what’s been going on in the National Party.
The Right have been obsessing about what’s wrong with the Labour Party, and what David Cunliffe should do to sort it out, and what a massive blow Shane Jones’ resignation was. . . blah-de-blah-de-blah. . .
All the time its been a huge distraction to keep them from looking too closely at the stealthy coup that’s been going on in their own party.
Family psychologists have probably got a name for that
Today’s Dominion Post 5-minute quiz, Question 1 (vaguely, from memory):
Subtle?
Answer: Judy’s
Judith Collins is a bully plain and simple. she has become so used to getting her own way and riding roughshod over all and sundry that she has come to believe that she is the only one with any rights whatsoever. Time for this haridan to get her pink slip.
Collins has become a parody of a Thatcher wannabe.
skim read that as ‘a parody of a Thatcher womble”
🙂 Mondays eh!
My thoughts too. She’s modeling herself of Thatcher even down to her appearance and the way she walks. She sees herself as NZ’s Maggie Thatcher – strong, belligerent, clever and brooks no dissent.
At least Thatcher did have a bit of class about her – Collins has none.
She actually reminds me of Idi Amin in her approach to accountability, responsibility, and democracy. Just as well she can’t send the Whalespew Army out to attack people in their homes.
“National needs a strong leader. Judith is strong, and she takes care of her friends.”
I must say OAB it’s a delight seeing such a dedicated leftie consistently giving the right such useful and supportive political advice 😀
We’ll see who’s laughing when Judith has control of the GCSB. All the way with JC in 2014!
Collins/Oravida have been busy buying up more than Kauri Logs
Wonder when the proverbial SHIT really will hit the fan over THIS GEM
http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/auckland/news/nbbus/266137544-oravida-expanding-into-gold-mining-
FULL UNCUT TV3 INTERVIEW – SABIN WITH COLLINS
http://t.co/KcDTLUdZge
TV3 have put up the full 10 minute uncut interview with Collins – as opposed to the 4 minute news item one that MS’ TV3 link in the post leads to.
Well worth watching as it has a lot more bizarre comments (including about her trip to China, the dinner, her staff, kauri, the press etc) than in the cut version.
Collins’ eye movements are revealing – constant movement, blinking, half lids etc. Could not stop focussing on them.
It’s the mixture of eye and mouth movements that’s intriguing – defensive, contained aggression, which explodes into an attack at various points.
grab the whole clip before/if it disappears please!
this is The Interview that never stops giving
and some treasured gems in there to be held up on wider public display as well as to be repeated back to john key and his ministers!
If I knew how to “grab the whole clip”, I would but that is way beyond my abilities!
Perhaps one of the many experts here could do so.
Collins looks like something out of a 1930s gangster movie!
The narrowed eyes, the veiled threats, then finally the punch line.
Sort of like a bent DA in Raymond Chandler’s Los Angeles…maybe not so far off? ‘We own this town, buddy. Better get used to it.’
She has to have something big on Key. You’d never pin him down, but somewhere lurking in the background must be another explanation for his continued Collins support today. After all, she appears to have misled him as much as the NZ public on the Oravida scandal.
Maybe time will tell, or maybe tomorrow’s QT in Parliament. Interesting times.
Full uncut interview. Crikey veuto. Weird. I reckon a carelessly struck match would spark a massive meltdown. Judith does not like being questioned does she.
“You worm! How dare you ask me such questions! Don’t you know who I am?!!!”
I did not say it in my comment at 18 – but I got the link to that video from Paddy Gower’s Twitter feed!
https://twitter.com/patrickgowernz
Gower has also now done a blog post on it at TV3’s website – http://t.co/Y7cWItsLEL
The link to the video was being cycled through Twitter this morning. Came into my twitter feed several hours – originally from Firstline, I think?
Probably, Karol, but I don’t watch TV. I am also not on Twitter per se so don’t get the feeds – just read various people’s Twitter feeds from time to time but not a follower of anyone. I did a quick check here as to whether anyone had posted the full video, and then posted it as I thought it was worth while seeing the whole interview.
Yes, that video is well worth a watch. Predictably, her attack on the media has hit a nerve with many journalists. Duncan Garner hs also been highly critical of her today.
Garner was if anything even more scathing on the radio this afternoon.
That’s awesome – see how strong she is! Not like that weak lickspittle Key, bowing and scraping on Letterman. Judith would have Letterman boiled alive.
She promises there’s more to come! Pledge allegiance if you know what’s good for you is my advice.
Rob Salmond on what Friday’s OIA shows:
Surely she cannot survive that.
I suspect that National’s advisors are working on it now but it may be that she can’t.
Someone won’t survive it, that’s for sure.
if substantiated, surely its not just about resigning as a minister, she needs to be gone. she will go as minister cos she lied to key, but she needs to leave parliament cos she lied to the people of nz. its not just ministers who have to tell the truth and behave well, surely?
She’s gone.
Key can’t not have her go.
He’ll be wanting to get his timing right. Close enough to the budget that the budget will drown out news on her, not too close that she’ll drown out the budget.
So One minister makes three mistakes, not distancing themselves from a party donor, not checking their decision with others, and thus making a huge mistake of ‘as a minister’ telling police they were not on solid ground surrounding a ongoing investigation. Nuff said, he’s gone.
Another minister, makes countless mistakes, a party donor, who is also her husbands company, has a sit down meeting with a border official during the time when her husband company is having border problems. Now she didnt distance herself, she didn’t check her decision with anyone, and now the clear perception of favoring her Husband business is all too real. Instead of going, she spits out odium on the messagers, she misleads parliament, and she doesn’t show one iota of political savvy. Astonishing.
It says something about how much more political leverage and support Collins has at her disposal compared to Williamson.
No. I think it says how utterly corrupt she is, too think she is so high and almighty.
Its because politicians are burnt a bit that we grow to trust them, we see how they operate.
Collins has lost any chance of being PM, voters just do not like power crazed.
Sit it out Collins, stand aside, and watch Key’s government crash, and be available for the leadership. But no, shes too pig stupid to see anything but her own sanctimonious never
do nothing wrong.
Thinking of Maurice Williamson and Judith Collins, the National MP that now I feel very sorry about is…….
Mr Aaron Gilmore.
i dont. we need to cut this entitlement shit off at the early stages. he is young, he can rebuild.
I am not sorry he resigned for his arrogant attitude, drunk or not.
What I was referring to was the fact that Aaron Gilmore resigned/made to resign for a comparatively lesser offense than the hugely wrong/dodgy/corrupt behaviour of Williamson and Collins.
This issue alone will hurt National at the next election.
Russell Brown has an interesting take on “Spheres of Influence.”
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11249704
the link is to armstrongs article about collins
Sorry Tracey.
Here is the link to Russell Brown’s post.
http://publicaddress.net/hardnews/the-sphere-of-influence/
I am in link overdrive – or is it overload – today.
She’s got to go. The only option.
I wonder what the retired Canadian judge who reviewed Bains right to compensation thinks of Collins?
Bain has stated that he survived a decade in jail by doing the sentence 5 minutes at a time. Good advice for Collins during question time tomorrow.
What goes around comes around.
Yippee! When is the next poll?
One issue not raised that I have is her attacking her Parliamentry staffers. Whatever their political persuasion (and I know that you do not have to associate with a Party to be a Parliamentary staffer), an attack from the Minister trying to blame her staff is cowardly, dirty and unethical.
National try to pretend to hold the moral high ground. Sounding like a Tui ad yet?
“Judith Collins is very sorry – Yeah! Right!”
Incredible wasn’t it. Calling them “control freaks” not once but several times. Always with a smile on her face and vindictiveness in her eyes. Wow!!! How to go about ensuring loyal staff. What’s the bet they’re squealing as we speak.
I could not believe that Collins did that – but then again, I can. I know a number of people who have worked for her, and not a good experience. A control freak calling others that.
I don’t know if you are referring to the original news item last night, but if you haven’t watched the full uncut 10 minute interview Sabin/Collins, she says a lot more in the full interview. link at 18 above.
And tonight on TVNZ news she said she didn’t lie about what she said about Katie Bradford, but she said that Katie Bradford asked her to intervene. It’s accepted that’s not the case but Collins is still saying that what she said was the truth. More lies. She’s out of control, all right. Great stuff. Keep it coming, Judith.
“How to go about ensuring loyal staff. What’s the bet they’re squealing as we speak.”
Haha not much time left for loyalty. May as well leak like a sieve.
When Collins goes, I guess it will have to be Finlayson to replace her. But somebody else will have to be A-G. The Attorney General sometimes has a role in making decisions about when to prosecute, so it would be a clear conflict if he kept both roles. I wonder who would be his replacement.
simon bridges of course
So we have two unrelated controversies in the last 7 days.
Williamson resigning from Cabinet and Collins and her links with Oravida.
They arent related on the surface of it.
But why did Collins lash out at a journalist over ‘what you have done to Maurice’
Shes been a practicing lawyer and an MP for a while plus in Cabinet. Surely she would have kept her head down on the Williamson affair ( as she has her own troubles)
Shes a friend of Williamson, and close colleague but it doesnt make sense why she should kicking heads in this making more controversy.
Then there is this in Williamsons comments which adds an unknown person in the mix.
He said he was told of the December incidentby a friend of Liu and was “shocked” due to Liu’s clean record required for citizenship here
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11247661
Who could this friend be that galvanised Williamson into action.
My belief is the “friend of Liu” was Collins herself
Collins knew she couldnt call the Police herself as she was Minister of Justice.
And once it all blew up and Williamson was forced out, Collins realized he took a bullet for her and this would explain her actions in going around kicking heads for him, thereby increasing the media storm.
I wonder if Labour will explore this’ unknown friend’ once Parliament resumes.
I repeat, I think Collins is the friend who alerted Williamson to Liu’s arrest
Yep gwwnz.
My immediate thought over Collins’ comment (mentioned on TS a day or two ago) was:
Williamson is a scapegoat for the Collins affair.
I didn’t know in what way, but your submission is a perfect fit!
I am pretty sure that Williamson has said on several occasions over the last few days that the friend of Liu’s who he spoke to back in December (long before the Collins’ Oravida tour to China was an issue)was Liu’s translater.
I don’t have time now to look for a link – menagerie feeding time before human tea is prepared.
Sorry, I just don’t think it was Collins..
I’m inclined to agree. In gwwnz’s link above, he mentions the interpreter.
Take a bow. Your prediction was correct.
Well, Liu couldn’t have told Williamson himself because they speak different languages and cannot communicate with each other directly. They communicate through an interpreter.
The interpreter would have provided details to Williamson when he contacted Liu after Collins first told him about it.
Id previously met Liu some years back relating to the Boulevard Motel. He has an entourage and a number of fixers with him most of the time.
It’s possible. But it could have been anyone linked with Liu who told Williamson.
Exactly. Williamson was being just a wee bit misleading? He wouldn’t have had much choice. If it is shown to be correct then I have to say I feel sorry for him. Setting aside his libertarian views, he’s not a bad person – likeable at times.
That’s bugged me from day one. Liu is reportedly managing the investment of 70 million dollars in a complex construction project in our largest city.
Why did Maurice Williamson think Liu needed the help of a Government Minister to communicate with the local Police on a domestic violence investigation?
I read somewhere today that Williamson represented the Right in National. But so does Collins so that would be a reason that Key cannot afford to drop two right-wingers and both from Auckland. (Maybe heard that on 9 to Noon?) If so no wonder Key is boxed in.
Ideologically speaking they both mirror the hard right libertarian wing of the National Party.
There was an attempt back in the late 1990s/early 2000 to lure Willaimson away from National and into ACT.
Maurice represents the hard right libertarian wing.
Collins is hard right, but she’s no libertarian.
“Collins presented it totally differently and she’s been found out, case closed. She didn’t tell the truth to the PM – she misled him, she misled Parliament and she misled you, the voter.”
Is there a reason to not use the word ‘lie’?
Andrea Vance just tweeted: I understand email went out to Ministers SPS’ in the last 90 mins asking for cover for Collins House duty for next two weeks #ttrtpt
and she continues to draw upon her ministerial salary, with her perks intact, thanks to the generosity of taxpayers
The article about it on Stuff (as linked above) says she will front to Question Time tomorrow then go on leave.
key playing with words and says “refresher”
LOL!!!
hi karol .. hope you’re right .. but the link said only ‘this week’ for Collins to front up, did not say ‘tomorrow’, though it would make sense as you suggest.
One News tonight said Collins will be at Question Time tomorrow and Wednesday. This is interesting because those are the days Key is usually there.
And also Key indicated that it was Collins idea to take a break. If Collins isn’t there the heat would turn on Key re-Oravida.
And so Vance got her info via someone who was in the ministerial loop? Nats are very leaky these days?!
Sinking ships tend to be.
The PM said at his press meeting that she would take 4 or 5 days off after Tuesday and Wednesday Q Time is over. Maybe back next Tuesday?
Close enough in scenario to call VeutoViper’s prediction from yesterday correct.
[Re: Andrea Vance just tweeted: I understand email went out to Ministers SPS’ in the last 90 mins asking for cover for Collins House duty for next two weeks #ttrtpt]
And the little boy cried aloud, “Ha, ha! The empress has no clothes! She needs a cover!”
Listen and enjoy the story.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNTowQyHz2U
Judith Collins to take a few days off
“Key said Collins would front questions about Oravida in parliament this week and it was important she did so because neither she or the government had anything to hide over the affair.
But after that she would take some time off.”
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/10010739/Judith-Collins-to-take-a-few-days-off
After Rob Salmond’s revelations will she be back?
That’s dynamite.
When did he post this today?
I read that post by Rob this morning.
The short one by No Right Turn today is pretty explicit http://norightturn.blogspot.co.nz/ and the way that Brent Edwards tied the emails together just after 5pm tonight was interesting. He did say that the PM reads the emails in a different way to anyone else. Mmmm?
“Mr Key has admitted he knows the name and occupation of the Chinese border control official that was also present at the controversial dinner that Ms Collins attended but won’t reveal the information.”
Is Key himself compromised by the Oravida story?
http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/judith-collins-take-time-off-amid-oravida-storm-5949107
When Key is lying, his inability to pronounce words correctly becomes more noticeable.
In Paul’s link he talks about “parisha”. It took me a few seconds to comprehend he meant “pressure”.
Course he is. That’s why he can’t sack Collins and is having to stick by her through thick and thin. That’s my conclusion anyway.
On Campbell Live just now there’s been a re-run of part of the Paddy Gower video at Oravida’s headquarters in China. Not only was Judith Collins’ face prominent in the various photos on the walls and elsewhere, but so was John Key’s…
Its getting more and more like our own Watergate every day and we know how the original ended.
And as Nixon may or may not have said, “It’s the lie that gets you.”
Let’s remember, from the time the cops picked up the ‘burglars’ to the fall of Nixon, took the best part of two years. I think NZ can do better than that 🙂
“Everybody needs a little time away,” I heard her say, “from each other.”
“Even lover’s need a holiday far away from each other.”
An even longer stress leave, er, break would be in order, but we may have to wait until September.
does she have to provide a medical certificate?
😆
Key has got to sack her, or at least take her off ministerial duty for the time being. If this was a Left bloc MP National would be screaming fucking murder about it.
He’s hoping the break will ease the pressure.
cf. own glen, w peters and h clark.
Does Stephen Joyce have anything to do with this
I’m sure it would be VERY convenient for him if Judith’s career went bust….
keys up to his neck in this. this is not over by any means once Collins is disposed of key is next the opposition has found the smell where it goes is like following a rat up a drain pipe where it ends nobody knows. the beginning of the end of the donkey Govt.
I can only laugh at National’s spin, manipulation and BS about her going on stress leave. This whole scandal is created by Collins herself through her dodgy actions and dodgy statements. Her own behaviour and Key’s defense are entirely responsible for this despicable episode. If she has been truthful and has nothing to hide, then there is no reason for her to be stressed or to be running away! She and Key may want to hide from the media for a few days to hoodwink the people, but they can’t run for too long because the voters will stop them in Sept. Only the truth will set them free.
When all this is over and we look back on Collins’ career, I think it will be best summed up in her own words:
“Always kind 2 turtles.”
But now she’s admitted she doesn’t care about wetlands. Can’t both be true.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLINF4d3GCU&list=RDCLINF4d3GCU
oh, she is a fine pollie, and will be a great leader. give her a break..
Yes, she is a very honest pollie, and will be the best leader ever, give her a break….permanently.
The pic is priceless. It’s the look of entitlement denied.
Her brain is screaming WHY WONT THESE PEASANTS LET ME RULE THEM?!!???
In your rush to gloat, you may at least like to pause and consider that Collins also put the ground work in place for therapeutic justice in our legal system.
Citation please. The two projects that I can think of were started
by Judges who had to cobble resources together and it was only when they could show that the Courts were economic as well as worthy that there was official support.
http://metromag.co.nz/editors-blog/the-liberal-iron-lady/
http://www.judithcollins.co.nz/index.php?/archives/540-Family-justice-reforms-spark-huge-interest.html
http://www.justice.govt.nz/family-justice
Like I said the Drug Court and the New Beginnings Court are because two compassionate Judges were able to get the Courts running. Collins should not get the credit for them. The Family Court reforms are a disaster and will increase damage caused by domestic violence and mean that kids are even more traumatised by messy separations.
She’s Minister of Justice and not blocking it – ok, “groundwork” is not the right word, but she does appear to be actively supporting it. It’s wouldn’t be happening without ministry approval.
“ok, “groundwork” is not the right word”
Neither is “supporting”. You were on the money with “not actively blocking”.
She also made jokes about double bunking so there you go.
Not what I was talking about and she’s still a nasty bag, however neither is she entirely unprogressive.
She has continued the “theme” of this govt in her family court reforms, and legal aid. It’s about the bottom line first.