Daily review 16/07/2020

Written By: - Date published: 5:30 pm, July 16th, 2020 - 100 comments
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Daily review is also your post.

This provides Standardistas the opportunity to review events of the day.

The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy).

Don’t forget to be kind to each other …

100 comments on “Daily review 16/07/2020 ”

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  1. indiana 1
    16 July 2020 at 5:51 pm

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/local-government/122116574/auckland-council-budget-rates-up-35-per-cent-and-more-than-500-jobs-to-go

    If found it strange that if you were asked if you'd like a 3.5% increase or a 2.5% increase…where was the option for no increase?

    • weka 1.1
      16 July 2020 at 6:04 pm

      that was on Planet Key.

    • gsays 1.2
      16 July 2020 at 6:50 pm

      “…where was the option for no increase?”

      They may have had to cut executives salaries and bonuses for that to happen.

    • Draco T Bastard 1.3
      16 July 2020 at 9:20 pm

      Ah, yes, the delusional idea that governments can always do more with less.

      • Herodotus 1.3.1
        16 July 2020 at 9:37 pm

        Dams have not been above average storage since March 19, and when were restrictions put in place ? post lock down. After high water usage as every water blaster was utilised in the lock down period washing down paths etc. every car was washed and swimming pools were continually been topped up. Where was the leadership around Christmas/January when lower than average rainfall was being forecast ? But don't let facts get in the way ….🤬

        https://ourauckland.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/articles/news/2020/05/council-to-make-decision-on-water-restrictions/

        • Draco T Bastard 1.3.1.1
          16 July 2020 at 9:49 pm

          WTF has that got to do with what I said?

          • Herodotus 1.3.1.1.1
            16 July 2020 at 9:59 pm

            It was in response to Indiana and the Auckland councils $750m financial hole ($250m Watercare), and the apparent need for this rates increase. And how with any leadership, this financial crisis would have been reduced.

            • Draco T Bastard 1.3.1.1.1.1
              17 July 2020 at 1:41 pm

              It's difficult to get good financial leadership when all the politicians are following the same, failed, economic ideology.

  2. Drowsy M. Kram 2
    16 July 2020 at 5:56 pm

    The latest opposition National party ‘reshuffle‘:

    You've got to know when to hold 'em
    Know when to fold 'em
    Know when to walk away
    And know when to run…

    https://www.songfacts.com/lyrics/kenny-rogers/the-gambler

  3. Gabby 3
    16 July 2020 at 6:16 pm

    Jeery Browneye got quite cross when Lisa Owen repeatedly interrupted him while he was answering the question he wanted her to have asked.

    [You have used the same infantile name-calling of Brownlee 12 times on TS, not counting the one that I deleted yesterday, but you may have missed it. Here it is for your convenience: https://thestandard.org.nz/if-judith-and-gerry-are-the-answer-it-must-have-been-a-desperate-question/#comment-1730344. I think it’s time you grow up and call people by their proper names starting with Gerry Brownlee. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in advance – Incognito]

    • Incognito 3.1
      16 July 2020 at 6:42 pm

      See my Moderation note @ 6:16 PM.

    • Gabby 3.2
      16 July 2020 at 7:18 pm

      How did that other search go? Any luck?

      • Incognito 3.2.1
        16 July 2020 at 7:58 pm

        I have done a preliminary search and it doesn’t look so good for you. It seems to support my initial suspicion. I have been quite busy lately and have not had time to wrap it up. Do you still maintain your innocence or do you want to change your plea after I have presented the evidence to you? Good behaviour is taken into consideration when sentencing. I’m serious, BTW, as I intend to start a Pre-Election Clear-Out here.

        • Muttonbird 3.2.1.1
          16 July 2020 at 8:04 pm

          You're being too hard on Gabby. I had a similar battle with weka over trans rights and no evidence was found to ban me so I think you should just drop it if it's too complicated.

          Only difference is I didn’t keep prodding weka about it…Gabby.

          • Incognito 3.2.1.1.1
            16 July 2020 at 8:53 pm

            I appreciate you putting in a good word for Gabby but there is evidence, as I said, I just haven’t found the right time to collate it. I’ve also mentioned previously to Gabby that I cannot stand dishonesty and that’s the real ‘crime’ as far as I’m concerned, the TERF issue is secondary. I don’t mind being reminded but please don’t start crying then when it comes to crunch time. Best not to get in the way when it comes to that 🙂

            • Muttonbird 3.2.1.1.1.1
              16 July 2020 at 8:54 pm

              I get that you are unpaid. We all are.

              But you searching for evidence of Gabby’s alleged indiscretions doesn’t seem to be a great use of your time.

              • Incognito …
                16 July 2020 at 9:12 pm

                No, you’re right, it isn’t, but it is a matter of principle that commenters don’t lie here. Almost nobody will come clean, confess, and apologise when caught out and many a ban is because of a lie of some kind AKA making up shit and/or not providing supporting info to show that their ‘fact’ or assertion is nothing more than their opinion, for example. If one word captures or describes behaviour that is associated with bans here, it is dishonesty.

                PS I cannot be 100% certain that none of the commenters here is paid.

              • greywarshark …
                17 July 2020 at 1:34 pm

                Muttonbird your comment that Incognito keeping matters on an even keel and reasonably sane as we discuss this most important and contentious of topics, politics, "doesn’t seem to be a great use of your time" shows what seems youthful carelessness about the quality of our lives. He/she is doing a difficult job out of principle, as you say unpaid, and we who think and yearn for better-thinking, discussing and debating and civilised society and conditions thank this person for it. (Even when it annoys us personally by calling taihoa on a tirade. By the way sorry if this is tl:dr Gabby.)

        • Robert Guyton 3.2.1.2
          16 July 2020 at 8:26 pm

          I always enjoy Gabby's irreverent comments and the titles she bestows. She's/he's cheeky, not snide, imo, but I do recognise that tone is hard to gauge and once you feel someone's unkind, it's hard to un-feel that. I don't think Gabby's unkind at all (but wouldn't like to be the target of her attentions smiley

          • Incognito 3.2.1.2.1
            16 July 2020 at 8:59 pm

            Thanks Robert. I find that Gabby’s comment range from infantile crude shit (AKA poppycock) to hilarious and some are even a contribution to ‘normal’ conversation. I didn’t dig the hole and I didn’t remind that the hole needed to be filled and covered. I will close this chapter soon and then we can move on to the Election, one way or another.

            • Robert Guyton 3.2.1.2.1.1
              16 July 2020 at 9:17 pm

              It's your call (you wield the Sword of Righteousness – perhaps your de-scabarding will be enough to rein in Gabby's gabiosity without having to lop off her head). She will be sorely tempted though, by the characters in the latest Punch'n'Judy Show; Gerry's a big target and lampooning the Creature from the Kauri Swamp seems irresistible.

              • Incognito …
                16 July 2020 at 9:45 pm

                I know it can be a fine line between witty and crude. I’ve asked nicely to stop the crudeness; I don’t find “Browneye” funny, personally. When the same word(s) becomes over-used (e.g. “neocon Den” six times), it becomes tedious even if it was funny the first time. Other blog sites are much worse than TS when it comes to bad name-calling, infantile labelling/mocking, and bullying & intimidating of targets (victims). Social media are full of it too. If people feel the need to express themselves in these kinds of manners and use language from and fit for the gutter then they know where to go. If people come here to be entertained by third grade crass comedy then they have come to the wrong place too. There’s a place & audience for all occasions but TS is not that. IMHO.

                BTW That was a funny comment 🙂

              • anker …
                16 July 2020 at 9:47 pm

                I really enjoy Gabby's comment, but respect moderators decision. Would miss Gabby very much

                • Incognito …
                  16 July 2020 at 10:03 pm

                  Gabby is not going anywhere. Gabby is just going to do a bit of growing up and become even wittier and sharper as a result.

            • Gabby 3.2.1.2.1.2
              16 July 2020 at 10:00 pm

              I'm starting to think you may have 'erected' this hole in your mind. You'd like this terf thing to be recurring so you've decided it is. I look forward to seeing the results of your quest.

              • Incognito …
                16 July 2020 at 10:04 pm

                You’re stiff competition but I’m up for it.

              • Incognito …
                19 July 2020 at 12:41 pm

                Dear Gabby,

                My apologies for the delay but you did remind me and asked for an update and I felt I had to keep my promise and oblige.

                Here are the results of my search as to whether you, in all probability, knew the meaning of TERF, which you denied. https://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-06-07-2020/#comment-1726241

                You commented under this post, less than two years ago – the title alone is telling enough: https://thestandard.org.nz/terfed-out/

                https://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-28-11-2018/#comment-1555214

                You commented under this post: https://thestandard.org.nz/the-spotys-2018/

                The above are the ones in which you’re directly linked to the acronym. In addition, many other commentaries use, explain, or discuss the acronym that you would have seen although you didn’t contribute directly to those specific discussion threads.

                You like word-plays and joking around and you seem to be generally very well informed.

                Overall, I think it is beyond reasonable doubt that you knew the meaning of the acronym on 6 July and, therefore, that you repeatedly lied about it.

                I look forward to your response. It better be good.

                • Gabby …
                  19 July 2020 at 5:16 pm

                  One thread on terfs with a definition given by Matthew Whitehead in a loong jargon ridden post I doubt I made it to the end of, a couple of Open Mike comments on a day when some people were commenting upthread, and a SPOTY post that mentions 'terf' and I comment on Bridges' croaking? And this is all from 2018. About a fairly niche issue of little interest to people not directly involved. You are drawing a very long bow. I guess your persistence is admirable but it's slim, slim pickings. And what's this 'repeatedly lied' nonsense?
                  You’re on a bit of a crusade, aren’t you.

                  • Incognito …
                    19 July 2020 at 5:39 pm

                    Ok, let me get this straight: you still deny that you did not know the meaning on 6 July when you had your contemptuous outburst? That’s “the lie”. It was less than 20 months ago and it has appeared many times since here on TS but never triggered an irreverent comment from you. Why might that be? I don’t believe you and I’ve already stated that I cannot stand dishonesty. Are you deliberately acting thick again or do you hold me for an old senile fool? Do you want me to drop this now?

                    • Gabby …
                      19 July 2020 at 5:57 pm

                      What are you talking about? Deny that I did NOT know?? It's patently obvious that I did NOT know. Evidently it was an insult, but I did NOT know what terf stood for. It was well over 19 months ago, which is a very long time. As for it never triggering an irreverent comment in the interim, why, it might be that I didn't notice, or didn't care, or didn't read that thread or any number of things. I'm sure you're not senile.

                    • Incognito []
                      19 July 2020 at 6:13 pm

                      I guess I will have to take your word for it then, won’t I? Such a shame of all the effort I put it into it. Never mind, it wasn’t all wasted. You never answered my question at the end though; maybe you don’t trust me 😉

                      BTW, “well over 19 months ago” is almost as good as “less than 20 months ago”. Well done!

                    • Gabby …
                      19 July 2020 at 6:25 pm

                      What question? I'm sure you're not senile. It might be because I didn't notice etc etc. Denying I did not know something? I'd have to know what you meant by that, ie that you intended the double negative, before an answer would mean the same thing to both of us. I can certainly say that when I asked wtf terf was, I was unaware of what words the letters stood for though obviously it was an insult. Matthew Whitehead spelling it out at great length many moons ago doesn't equal me retaining the info.

                    • Incognito []
                      19 July 2020 at 8:08 pm

                      What question? This question:

                      Do you want me to drop this now?

                      Never mind, I dropped it anyway for your and my sake, but you seem very keen to waste more time on this!?

                      The double negative was my bad, sorry; this “not” should not have been there. It was many moons ago, more than 20 months, when I was taught English at school and I must have forgotten to retain the info. Shit happens.

                      .

    • Sacha 3.3
      16 July 2020 at 10:40 pm

      when Lisa Owen repeatedly interrupted him while he was answering the question he wanted her to have asked.

      Post a link as well please.

  4. observer 4
    16 July 2020 at 6:52 pm

    I'll bring this up now, but it should get much more attention as we get closer to the election. Two things will be consistently, annoyingly misleading in coverage of the campaign: the words "Election day" and "Election night".

    Advance voting begins on Sept 5, two weeks before "Election day". This year there will probably be more advance voting than ever before. Polls will be published after many people have already voted.

    After "Election night", we wait for the special votes. In 2017 they totalled 446,287 or 17% of total votes cast. That includes 61,524 overseas votes. (source: official site).

    Given the nature of special voters (late enrolments, especially students, and Kiwis overseas) I would not be at all surprised if they swing heavily Ardern's way, and seats change hands.

    • Anne 4.1
      16 July 2020 at 6:55 pm

      The no. of overseas votes may not be as high as we've seen in the past because many of those voters have returned to NZ or are preparing to return to NZ soon due to C19.

      • observer 4.1.1
        16 July 2020 at 7:40 pm

        Good point. I wonder if they will have ballot boxes in all the isolation hotels …

        • Anne 4.1.1.1
          16 July 2020 at 7:50 pm

          I imagine they would be duty bound to, because every NZer regardless of circumstances has a right to vote.

          And yes, imo, that includes those in prison. The right to vote should be above the laws of the land.

        • anker 4.1.1.2
          16 July 2020 at 9:48 pm

          I think people overseas will vote Ardern for all the obvious reasons. Time to email friends and loved ones!

  5. Muttonbird 5
    16 July 2020 at 7:14 pm

    Labour is vulnerable in two areas, Kiwibuild and Auckland light rail.

    Labour is going to have to present policy on these two areas and it had better be good.

    I'd like to see compulsory acquisition of large tracts of land north and south of Drury close to rail. Take land speculators out of it because they are the very definition of inefficient. Finish the electrification gap. Use this newly redundant workforce we have to build, build, build without the obsession with profit. Clearly the private sector is both unwilling and unable to do this.

    Drop light rail for the moment and just do the Puhinui spur. That is what is needed for people movement to and from Auckland International Airport. Future tourists actually pay for this so it's a no-brainer! The light rail concept was trying to do too many things at once and became confused. It’s quite a long way from the bottom of Dominion Road to the airport, not so far from the airport to the main trunk line.

    Along with Law & Order the Nats under Collins will be targeting Labour on Kiwibuild and light rail and Labour had better be ready for it.

    • James 5.1
      16 July 2020 at 7:40 pm

      Labour is vulnerable in two areas, Kiwibuild and Auckland light rail.

      those two areas being over promising and failing to deliver.

      I think you can be confident that’s where National will attack – and for good reason.

      • observer 5.1.1
        16 July 2020 at 7:44 pm

        National have been attacking on many fronts, putting out press releases, making speeches, announcing roads.

        For some reason these don't seem to be the stories making the news headlines. Wonder why?

      • ScottGN 5.1.2
        16 July 2020 at 7:46 pm

        Given the importance of health at the moment a couple of attack ads highlighting National’s legacy of shit dripping out of the walls at Middlemore Hospital might go some way to squaring up balance don’t you think?

        • In Vino 5.1.2.1
          17 July 2020 at 11:05 am

          ScottGN – It came through the ceiling, not the walls. Get it right, or you will be accused of lying, just as Jacinda Ardern was earlier on, when she made the same minor error…

      • Muttonbird 5.1.3
        16 July 2020 at 7:47 pm

        Judith will attack these areas because that's been her job on TV over the last three years and because Twyford has not been good at all*. Those spots on the AM show have literally paved the way for her resurrection. Without them she would be a distant memory right now.

        She will also attack on Law & Order – she was in the thick of that policy area when she forced the Police to under report crime when the Nats were last in government so she knows all the tricks. Also National Party pollster and blogger, David Farrar, has built his blog on Maori bashing as it relates to Law & Order.

        *Hard to blame Twyford too much on light rail because that concept was not at all thought though when it was floated. It’s simply not what we need right now. In 10 or 20 years, maybe.

        • Draco T Bastard 5.1.3.1
          16 July 2020 at 9:38 pm

          *Hard to blame Twyford too much on light rail because that concept was not at all thought though when it was floated. It’s simply not what we need right now. In 10 or 20 years, maybe.

          We needed it a hundred years ago when it was first proposed as a subway.

          • Muttonbird 5.1.3.1.1
            16 July 2020 at 10:00 pm

            That horse has bolted. Nothing to be done about it now.

            What is required is clear thinking about what Auckland will look like in 20 years. The essential bones of it must be built first, the rest of it can wait.

            Did you know you have to walk between Auckland International and Domestic? Put a rail line in, ffs.

            • Stunned Mullet 5.1.3.1.1.1
              17 July 2020 at 11:23 am

              Put a rail line in for a 5 minute walk ?

            • Draco T Bastard 5.1.3.1.1.2
              17 July 2020 at 1:39 pm

              That horse has bolted.

              Not really as we still need it. Cities really don't do well with personal cars as the main transport system.

              Of course, with the better technology available to day and better planning techniques we'd probably end up with a better system.

      • aom 5.1.4
        16 July 2020 at 10:32 pm

        Not so sure National would be stupid enough to launch an attack re KiwiBuild. To do so would mean they would have to have a better proposition for achieving the same goals. That would imply there was an affordable housing problem that they denied when last in Government. As for Auckland Light Rail, discretion would be needed there too. They know damned well that NZ First stuffed that. To attack would imply they would be able to succeed in getting Auckland moving if in Government – possibly with having to have Winston in tow. How would they do that? Cover the city in tarseal?

    • ScottGN 5.2
      16 July 2020 at 7:42 pm

      I’m not sure Law & Order is going to be particularly fertile for National this election cycle.

      • Muttonbird 5.2.1
        16 July 2020 at 7:52 pm

        Violent gang crime is up in people's minds if not actually in statistics. We know why this is – 501s – but the general voting public might not understand as much, so Farrar and Collins will push gang and Maori related crime stories in front of the media for full effect.

    • anker 5.3
      16 July 2020 at 9:52 pm

      Don't agree about Kiwibuild. As I have been saying Kiwibuild is last years story. People don't give a f..k about it. They care of course about housing and Labour has made good progress, particularly on social housing. National made none. Everybody knows it………

      Its Covid and the economy. That's all that is in peoples minds now. The question is do people want a competent well tested decisive leader that has saved us all from the ravaged of Covid. Or do the want a Donald Trump version of a leader. I actually trust NZders on this.

      We've got this

      • Muttonbird 5.3.1
        16 July 2020 at 10:06 pm

        There's all that but Kiwibuild remains something which Labour can be attacked on. And rightly so, it was and is a complete failure because they bottled the balance between government and private sector. The government should have taken a much, much bigger role.

  6. Halfcrown 6
    16 July 2020 at 7:35 pm

    According to that pathetic excuse for shithouse paper called the Herald. Another up and coming bit of odious bit of shit that has risen to the surface in the National sewer called Goldsmith has wonderous solutions to the economical recovery of this country, like freezing contributions to the Cullen fund what he calls the Supernation Fund, plus a freeze on the April planned minimum wages increase. In other words same old failed Tory fuck you Jack policies that have almost destroyed this country,

    Who the fuck would want to vote for this pack of crap. Yesterdays failed policies in today's "completely" different world I just don't believe that these fuckwits are so fucking brain dead to suggest policies like that.

    • James 6.1
      16 July 2020 at 7:42 pm

      I get the feeling you missed the be kind memo.

      and I think they are good suggestions.

      Raising the minimum wage was a mistake when last done and it’s a mistake to do it again in the current economic situation.

      • Bearded Git 6.1.1
        16 July 2020 at 7:50 pm

        It's still not a LIVING wage yet, James.

      • Drowsy M. Kram 6.1.2
        16 July 2020 at 7:50 pm

        Doubt those earning the minimum wage would regard the raise as a mistake "in the current economic situation." Can only conclude that you're not on the minimum wage.

        • gsays 6.1.2.1
          17 July 2020 at 7:18 am

          This is entirely the right time to increase the minimum wage towards the living wage. The fiction called the economy needs simulating. Putting money into hands of those with less is the best way to do this.

      • Peter 6.1.3
        16 July 2020 at 7:55 pm

        It really is so terrible that some seem to have missed the 'be kind' memo.

        I like it though when nasties remind victims that they're meant to play nice when the supposed-to-be-nice-ones who missed the memo reciprocate as they've been treated. The umbrage taken at not acting on the memo is quite lovely.

      • Draco T Bastard 6.1.4
        16 July 2020 at 9:43 pm

        and I think they are good suggestions.

        Of course you do, you're part of the subset that thinks screwing over the majority of people and destroying the economy to make a few rich people richer is great.

  7. Pat 7
    16 July 2020 at 7:56 pm

    Knew our Gov were long on rhetoric and extremely short on action but didnt realise quitr how missing in action we have been…

    "That means over the next decade we need to find 93.9 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent to cut out to meet our targets – more than the entire country's gross annual emissions. Even if we took every car in Auckland off the road for the entirety of the next decade, that would only close the gap by 35 Mt CO2e."

    and our infrastructure spend is on……roads!

    https://www.newsroom.co.nz/boris-johnson-has-done-more-for-the-climate-than-jacinda-ardern

    "So how has a supposedly transformational Government led by a Prime Minister who has pledged to treat climate change as her prime focus failed to meaningfully implement emissions-reducing policies? How can Jacinda Ardern promise to treat emissions as her generation's nuclear-free moment without consequence?

    Simple: New Zealand is letting her get away with it."

    And with National self destructing the political motivation to move has disappeared….perhaps the self destruction serves a purpose after all.

    • aom 7.1
      16 July 2020 at 10:44 pm

      What crazy effing logic – how do you expect the PM to cut the emissions? To help achieve the goal, join the others who are getting off their backsides and walk, bike or use public transport. It's time for the team of 5 million to carry the load again!

    • Sacha 7.2
      16 July 2020 at 10:48 pm

      How has it happened?

      Uh, the Winston veto..

  8. Halfcrown 8
    16 July 2020 at 8:01 pm

    answer to James @6.1

    Hi James How are you doing? I hope life is treating you well better than some of the unfortunates that are struggling on low wages having to pay for things like Cheese that has risen by nearly 30 % in price. in the last few weeks, That is if they have any money after paying rent to some parasitical property owner

    It is a different world now pal they are failed yesterdays policies and unless the right realises that there is going to be one hell of an "adjustment" something I would hate to see.

    • Muttonbird 8.1
      16 July 2020 at 8:23 pm

      Went to the supermarket today and saw the glistening green courgettes sitting lonely and untouched at $28/kg. They’ll have to be thrown out.

      Broken neoliberalism.

      • Halfcrown 8.1.1
        16 July 2020 at 8:39 pm

        Hi Mutton Nice to see that, We told the local veggie shop to shove them. But they do have an excuse I understand that they are imported from Queensland and because of the virus etc etc etc we have to expect those prices.

        But what I cannot accept is the winging farmers who are always bleating how hard done they are expecting us(New Zealanders), to pay through the nose for their product because

        A. Prices have fallen overseas or

        B Prices are so buoyant overseas.

        • Muttonbird 8.1.1.1
          16 July 2020 at 8:52 pm

          Yep, there's always something involved in keeping vegetable prices at stratospheric heights. Yet it's all out of their control according to the power players.

          I'd rather see no fucking courgettes at all in the supermarket than seeing them for an obscene $28/kg…

          • Halfcrown 8.1.1.1.1
            16 July 2020 at 9:09 pm

            Agree Mutton 200%

          • I Feel Love 8.1.1.1.2
            16 July 2020 at 9:10 pm

            My understanding is it's not the farmers & growers setting the prices, but the supermarkets (I guess they would argue they ship and package etc). If something is too expensive, I just don't buy it, as protest & necessity.

            • In Vino 8.1.1.1.2.1
              16 July 2020 at 11:21 pm

              Obviously the things will sit and start to rot, then be fed to the pigs.

              Who will buy them at that price? (Although they are not heavy, and how many of them make a kilogram? But why buy them? They desperately need added flavours.)

  9. Muttonbird 9
    16 July 2020 at 8:20 pm

    Am looking at way to promote New Zealand's Covid response and Covid-free status. Sanzaar hopes to hold the entire Rugby Championship in Covid free New Zealand.

    Unlike most other countries we have free association and the ability to pack Eden Park with 50,000 people for the very first, and probably only, international rugby matches in 2020, full stop.

    Imagine the scenes on TV for those less fortunate, watching the only international test matches in front of a full stadium when they are struggling to even open pubs let alone gather in crowds.

    Grant Roberston should make this a priority as it builds on New Zealand's international reputation in pandemic management.

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=12348506

    • Andre 9.1
      16 July 2020 at 8:29 pm

      If the flood of returning Kiwis has slowed enough that there's room in isolation and quarantine facilities for the players, and the players are OK with spending two weeks in managed isolation (while NZ players get to train as much as they want), and they pay for the managed isolation, and they're OK with the idea that very few if any of their supporters will be able to come and the crowds will be entirely kiwi, plus a bunch of other restrictions that are likely needed for safety that I haven't thought of, then sure, go nuts.

      • mpledger 9.1.1
        16 July 2020 at 8:38 pm

        People used to go to the commonwealth/olympic games/rugby/cricket tours by boat. That was a 6 week trip. Two weeks in isolation is not that much.

        • aom 9.1.1.1
          16 July 2020 at 10:51 pm

          Great idea! Come to NZ on a Covid-19 floating incubation chamber to watch a rugby game or two and expect to not be quarantined?

      • Muttonbird 9.1.2
        16 July 2020 at 8:44 pm

        Yes, there's a few things to be addressed, chiefly how SA, AUS and Argentina will train. Athletes at the highest level are on a program and two weeks watching Netflix in your room is not part of that program.

        If it's deemed important enough the other considerations can be overcome. A full Rugby Championship has got to be worth quite a bit locally and globally in the absence of any other rugby altogether. I'm sure quarantine costs can be dealt with in this context.

        The players, the fans, the Unions, and Sanzaar will not be too worried about offshore fans not being able to attend.

        • observer 9.1.2.1
          16 July 2020 at 10:10 pm

          I'm not that bothered about the rugby itself, but proposing it is brilliant politics.

          What are National going to do, oppose the All Blacks playing? The timetable works very well – get it in the headlines between now and the election, and have the games (and any stuff-ups) after the election.

          It was the lead story on TV3 news tonight. Score one for the comms team.

          • Muttonbird 9.1.2.1.1
            16 July 2020 at 10:13 pm

            I'm thinking about the wider benefits of having this comp up and running. We look like a country which gets things done in a Covid world. Our Sanzaar partners and their players will be gagging to come here for two months to showcase the game to the rest of the world. We as a country would gain huge benefits from that exposure.

            • observer 9.1.2.1.1.1
              16 July 2020 at 10:24 pm

              Oh, I agree. Brand NZ is strong internationally, and this is one more possible plus.

        • Gabby 9.1.2.2
          17 July 2020 at 6:14 pm

          Or, just ask a bit more for the tv rights, and nobody has to travel.

  10. aj 10
    16 July 2020 at 8:47 pm

    The Alex Salmond Show interviews top public health academic, Professor Michael Baker of Otago University, who details the reasons for New Zealand’s success in eliminating Covid-19 and warns of the worldwide dangers yet to come. Meanwhile the author of ‘Pandemic Century’, Dr Mark Honigsbaum, explains why some countries have succeeded in taming the coronavirus when so many others have struggled.

    https://www.rt.com/shows/alex-salmond-show/494810-new-zealand-coronavirus-measures/

  11. Muttonbird 11
    16 July 2020 at 9:57 pm

    Let me get this straight. Simon Bridges has used an interview to take a swipe at his own front bench colleague Todd Muller who is no doubt still on health leave.

    United caucus? Nope. Considerate of mental health? Nope. Same old National Party brutality.

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12348674

    • I Feel Love 11.1
      16 July 2020 at 10:16 pm

      After the Brownlee interviews (Garner & Owen) they really will say some barmy stuff, their confidence is so exuberant!

    • Patricia 2 11.2
      16 July 2020 at 10:19 pm

      I was not impressed with the statement by Winston Peters about Todd Muller's health issue. Especially as Winston demands privacy and keeps very tight lipped about his own medical issues.

      Loyalty is sadly missing in the National caucus ; leaks to Tova just after Judith Collins won the leadership and now Simon Bridge's little dig at Todd Muller. Not looking good for the party if this is how they plan to build up to the election.

      • Muttonbird 11.2.1
        16 July 2020 at 10:25 pm

        We might as well add Winston Peters to the National Party now because there's no way NZF will be in a Labour led government.

        He only went with Labour for personal reasons – that much is widely suspected.

        I thought his comment on Muller was a serious breach of good conduct which he himself pretends to subscribe to.

        I do hope NZF is finished on September 19, I really do. They are such a pathetic waste of space.

      • Peter 11.2.2
        16 July 2020 at 10:54 pm

        I get it about Peters and Muller.

        Peters might demand privacy and to be treated with respect. That didn't happen before the last election when some minion decided that his personal information held by a Ministry should be handed to politicians with no reasonable justification.

    • Sacha 11.3
      16 July 2020 at 10:25 pm

      "I was really disappointed [in how the leadership coup played out]. It would have been a privilege to lead National into this election.

      "We wasted a bit of time. There's a bunch of complex reasons for that.

      "We're making back that time. We're going to finish this election much more strongly than the position we were in two or three weeks ago."

      Oh that's so savage. I'm off to clutch my pearls and sniff my salts. Call me when civility reached acceptable levels again.

      • Muttonbird 11.3.1
        16 July 2020 at 10:29 pm

        You can trivialise it if you want but the point is that the National Party is not even remotely united as they now profess to be.

        • Sacha 11.3.1.1
          16 July 2020 at 10:34 pm

          You do not need to wildly over-egg comments here to make that point. They are enough of a trainwreck without our help.

          • I Feel Love 11.3.1.1.1
            16 July 2020 at 11:07 pm

            Sacha, it was the headline, I too thought the comments fairly tame, it is curious that the Newshub/ Herald (?) guys spun it as such, coz it prob would have passed unnoticed really. I missed the Peters bit.

            • Sacha 11.3.1.1.1.1
              16 July 2020 at 11:11 pm

              A desperate journo trying to spin a story out of nothing is sadly to be expected; and by now we ought to be able to distinguish that from the underlying facts – hence me quoting what Bridges said, not what the writer said he did.

              • I Feel Love …
                16 July 2020 at 11:16 pm

                Absolutely, I've said here many times, Collins, Brownlee etc will say some barmy things, will do dirty politics, they can't help themselves. I was just surprised to see the headline.

  12. Muttonbird 12
    16 July 2020 at 10:20 pm

    Australia is now clocking up Covid deaths. They'd stopped at about 102 when we also eradicated. Now they are up to 113 which when they passed 110 is officially more than NZ in deaths/capita.

    Australia's covid response once vaunted by Mike Hosking and his followers Simon Bridges and and the rest of NZ's rump-right seems to be unravelling.

  13. Peter 13
    16 July 2020 at 11:02 pm

    It's sort of like Christmas when you were a kid. You go to bed on Christmas Eve expectant and excitef about what the next day will bring.

    Who will be National's big player of the day when you wake up the next morning!

  14. I Feel Love 14
    16 July 2020 at 11:17 pm

    Some wit on Twitter, "more people have escaped the National Party in the last month than have escaped quarantine".

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