David Farrar…..Busted.

Written By: - Date published: 10:30 am, April 7th, 2014 - 134 comments
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David Farrar has let slip that he has been privy to information which is only intended for select committee members.

Tim Watkins covers this over on pundit:

The most interesting part is in relation to a letter that Countdown sent to the commerce select committee….

“Third, I’m curious how you know about the contents of the letter. No-one on the select committee would release it to us or even confirm its contents; doing so would have broken privilege. So I can only assume that either an MP has leaked it to you at risk of a privileges committee hearing or that you’ve been briefed by Countdown on this. Isn’t that something you should declare openly?”

Yes Tim, it definitely is something that David Farrar should declare openly.

And John Key needs to front up to the media about National’s relationship with David Farrar because this stinks.

134 comments on “David Farrar…..Busted. ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. captain hook 1
    7 April 2014 at 10:32 am

    I can smell the stench of days old sausage rolls on his breath.

    • srylands 1.1
      7 April 2014 at 11:37 am

      Really? I would wager he hasn’t been near a sausage roll for two years.

      • Tracey 1.1.1
        7 April 2014 at 11:47 am

        just cos he has lost weight e doesnt exclude him having the occassional sausage roll.

        he may have had a staple, afterall not everything that comes out of his mouth can be believed.

        • Disraeli Gladstone 1.1.1.1
          7 April 2014 at 12:02 pm

          Nah. He seems genuinely fitter with all those walks and hikes. If he had just had a staple, he wouldn’t magically ran a marathon. Credit where credit is due, he’s done a pretty great job getting fit.

          More importantly, whoever photoshopped that photo on the front page. Well done. It took till the third glance that I noticed John Key on the left-hand side. I probably snorted a little too loudly.

          • Tracey 1.1.1.1.1
            7 April 2014 at 12:25 pm

            doesnt mean he hasnt had a sausage roll.

            i give him no credit for his weight loss while he consciously manipulates and deceives the electorate.

            • srylands 1.1.1.1.1.1
              7 April 2014 at 12:31 pm

              “i give him no credit for his weight loss ”

              Seriously? That sounds like an obsession. Who stole his fat then? The guy runs marathons and climbs mountains.

              • Tracey …
                7 April 2014 at 12:40 pm

                i am sure he doesnt give a shit whether i give him credit for losing weight or not. why you care so much about whether i give him credit for it or not is fascinating.

                so now he is a slim manipulator and deceiver of the electorate.

  2. Tracey 2
    7 April 2014 at 10:57 am

    how will granny cover it?

  3. Bill 3
    7 April 2014 at 11:43 am

    Looking at the photo used for this post, I was led to wonder…is there a growing data base of John Key’s desperate attempts to execute 3 way handshakes anywhere?

  4. Tom Gould 4
    7 April 2014 at 11:59 am

    Independent commentator Farrar, who moonlights as the Tory pollster and all-round arch-Tory insider, not that this influences his apolitical commentary, is simply playing the old bait and switch, which Key himself is famous for. Is the issue the content of the letter, or is the issue who knew and when? Pretty sure the Tories and their cronies want it to be the latter. The National Herald, and other bought and paid for media, will dutifully oblige, I’m sure.

    • Claris Moses 4.1
      8 April 2014 at 10:49 am

      I wonder what electoral status David Farrar has. Shouldn’t he be declared as a third party or his time and expenses as an electoral donation? Surely there must be some way that his lies and bluster should be accounted for under the Natzys electoral expenses as he is blatantly politicking for them

  5. JonoN 5
    7 April 2014 at 12:07 pm

    As much as I agree with most of Mr Watkins’ post, it looks like he’s got it wrong on this point. David Farrar links to a TV3 story at http://www.3news.co.nz/MP-accuses-Countdown-of-legal-threats/tabid/1607/articleID/338890/Default.aspx which states:

    ‘Countdown says the company has been communicating with the select committee, but has not threatened it.
    “We have asked the select committee for a record of what was said at their recent meeting because it affects our business,” Countdown communications manager Kate Porter told NZ Newswire.
    “Anyone is able to do that.”‘

    It looks like Mr Farrar is simply accepting Countdown’s explanation regarding the contents of the letter.

    • wtl 5.1
      7 April 2014 at 1:15 pm

      1) The article refers says that Countdown has been “in communication” with the select committee about a record of what was said at the meeting.

      2) According to Shane Jones, there is “a letter threatening legal action” from Countdown (but both Countdown and the select committee deny that such a letter exists).

      3) Farrar specifically states that “the threatening letter merely asks for a transcript of the last hearing – which is a routine request”.

      In the article, there is no specific reference that the “communication” in (1) and the letter in (2) are the same. So Farrar is either making an assumption about this or has inside knowledge.

      • JonoN 5.1.1
        7 April 2014 at 2:20 pm

        That’s fair enough, wtl. There may very well be a difference between “a letter threatening legal action” and Countdown having been “in communication with the select committee re. seeking a transcript of a previous committee meeting.

        My point is merely that Farrar appears to have assumed that the letter and the “communication” are one and the same. It’s not a strange assumption to have made (well, it’s the assumption that I immediately made when I read the TV3 article, so I’m therefore hoping it’s not a strange assumption…)

        I simply think it’s a bit of a stretch to assume that Farrar didn’t make an assumption.

        • felix 5.1.1.1
          7 April 2014 at 6:38 pm

          Really JonoL? So how come Farrar doesn’t say anything like that at all? If he made an assumption, why didn’t he write it as an assumption?

          What he says is “The so called threatening letter merely asks for a transcript…”

          There’s no assumption in there. It’s a plain statement of what is in the letter according to Farrar, not a guess or an assumption or a deduction, just a statement of fact.

          Now maybe I’m a bit slow, but why should I disregard what Farrar actually said and instead assume that your assumption is correct?

    • joe90 5.2
      7 April 2014 at 2:01 pm

      It looks like Mr Farrar is simply accepting Countdown’s explanation regarding the contents of the letter.

      If that’s true Jono why didn’t he declare his interest by saying that he’d been briefed by Countdown.

      • JonoN 5.2.1
        7 April 2014 at 2:26 pm

        But if he’d simply assumed from the TV3 story that the letter and TV3s “communication” with the select committee were one and the same, there’s no reason why he’d have been briefed by Countdown.

        I tend to favour cock up over conspiracy, and this story simply strikes me as being about Farrar interpreting the TV3 story in a way favourable to Countdown. Sure, there’s nothing to say that Farrar wasn’t briefed by Countdown (although quite how he’s managed to get himself briefed, given that he seems to be in Katmandu or some such at the moment), but equally there’s nothing to suggest that he was briefed either.

  6. JonL 6
    7 April 2014 at 12:23 pm

    The photo with that criminal Tony Blair tell’s is all we want to know about the creature….

    • srylands 6.1
      7 April 2014 at 12:29 pm

      He always strikes me as sensible, articulate, and pleasant. It is these attributes that make him widely read and successful. Intelligence and politeness go a long way.

      • Will@Welly 6.1.1
        7 April 2014 at 12:39 pm

        Life on Planet Key never ceases to amaze me. How you manage to continuously get you head up the same orifice on a daily basis is staggering. Still, where else you have to stick it, it must be a nice change, ah what!

      • Tracey 6.1.2
        7 April 2014 at 12:42 pm

        its interesting that you have commented on several things about farrar on this thread except the central issue of the opening post.

      • mickysavage 6.1.3
        7 April 2014 at 12:43 pm

        Srylands

        So getting back to the point of the post. Do you agree with Government MPs releasing to Farrar a letter that is confidential to a select committee?

        EDIT: What Tracey said.

        • srylands 6.1.3.1
          7 April 2014 at 12:55 pm

          There is no evidence that they did, or that David Farrar has the letter. He doesn’t quote from the letter. I think David Geurin has identified the likely scenario:

          “The TV3 story says: “We have asked the select committee for a record of what was said at their recent meeting because it affects our business,” Countdown communications manager Kate Porter told NZ Newswire.

          David Farrar said: The so called threatening letter merely asks for a transcript of the last hearing – which is a routine request.”

          i.e – he is simply paraphrasing the news story!

          http://pundit.co.nz/content/open-letter-to-david-farrar-on-his-erroneous-kiwiblog-post-re-countdown

          When he gets back from Nepal you can ask Farrar. He might tell you to sod off. Or he might just point out the obvious – that he has never quoted from any letter, but simply recouinted what Countdown has said publicly about the letter.

          Anyway, the substantial story here is Countdown. I agree with Farrar’s original theme – the thing with Countdown has become (mostly) hysterical nonsense.

          • felix 6.1.3.1.1
            7 April 2014 at 1:29 pm

            Nope. He doesn’t say “Countdown says the so-called threatening letter…”

            He just states what he says is in the letter, according to himself, written as himself.

            • srylands 6.1.3.1.1.1
              7 April 2014 at 1:47 pm

              OK well email Farrar and ask him what he meant and did he have the letter. You can speculate here all day and not get an answer. I have given you my reading. It is a non story. But maybe you are right and it is a vast right wing conspiracy.

              • felix …
                7 April 2014 at 1:56 pm

                Yeah, to suggest that David Farrar works with the National Party is just crazy talk.

                🙄

        • Tracey 6.1.3.2
          7 April 2014 at 1:49 pm

          he had to wait until a defence was posted at kiwiblog before he could come back here and give us “his” opinion.

          • srylands 6.1.3.2.1
            7 April 2014 at 1:54 pm

            There was no defence posted at Kiwiblog.

            When you sober up from your latest binge, email Farrar and ask him. I predict you will find it is a non issue.

            • Tracey 6.1.3.2.1.1
              7 April 2014 at 1:57 pm

              you posted it here first????????

            • Tracey 6.1.3.2.1.2
              7 April 2014 at 1:59 pm

              theres that politeness you have become known for.

              do you still stand by your assessment of farrar despite

              jokes at expense of greaving family (twice)
              dressing as a paedophile at a party?

              • srylands …
                7 April 2014 at 2:14 pm

                Yes I stand by my assessment of Farrar. Top bloke.

                • fender …
                  7 April 2014 at 2:48 pm

                  Fuckwit calls fellow fuckwit “top bloke”, TINA

                  • srylands …
                    7 April 2014 at 2:53 pm

                    Right, I’ll let him know you said that fender. Charming.

                    • fender …
                      7 April 2014 at 3:00 pm

                      Please do. I especially hope you tell him to knock on my door so I can discover whether or not there’s borer in the baseball bat.

                    • McFlock …
                      7 April 2014 at 3:44 pm

                      I think Farrar already knows he’s a fuckwit.

                    • Tracey …
                      7 April 2014 at 4:29 pm

                      mcflock

                      do you get the sense this post bringing farrar into disrepute has struck quite the nerve with slylands… he seems very close to farrar. seems to be taking it almost perso9.

                    • McFlock …
                      7 April 2014 at 4:44 pm

                      auSSpylands probably believes the penguin is a celebrity (rather than just a paid shill), so has been sucking up to him. Bit of a toryboy crush, you might say.

                      Farrar would know what the NZ rate of GST is, and probably crowed about it extensively when his emplo- sorry when the Prime minister announced it.

                      In contrast, auSSpylands failed dismally at knowing such basics of the NZ economy. Although all that says is that he might be an australian resident (as he’s previously claimed) or just a treasury economist.

            • Tracey 6.1.3.2.1.3
              7 April 2014 at 2:03 pm

              you once said intelligence and politeness go a long way. i see you werent talking from personal experience

      • Tracey 6.1.4
        7 April 2014 at 12:48 pm

        caput tuum in anu est.

      • amirite 6.1.5
        7 April 2014 at 12:52 pm

        sorrylands – Especially when he made a joke about the two Dunedin children killed by their father. That was immensely charming.

        • srylands 6.1.5.1
          7 April 2014 at 12:56 pm

          It is “srylands”. Was that the Bain joke? OK maybe it was too soon. OK 99.99% of the time he is reasonable and intelligent. How is that?

          • Ross 6.1.5.1.1
            7 April 2014 at 1:02 pm

            No, it cannot be about Bain because the father was shot and killed, with evidence suggesting it was the sole survivor who committed the deed.

            • McFlock 6.1.5.1.1.1
              7 April 2014 at 1:10 pm

              SSpylands might not know about the two kids killed by their dad in Dunedin late last year.

              Probably didn’t make the news in Australia, where he lives.

              • srylands …
                7 April 2014 at 1:39 pm

                It is “srylands”

                • McFlock …
                  7 April 2014 at 2:03 pm

                  Limited denotation and connotation utility in that monicker. Subtle changes make it much more descriptive of the cultist in question.

              • srylands …
                7 April 2014 at 1:44 pm

                Are you trying to be a smartarse? We have been through the Australia NZ thing before. Yes I know about the 2 kids. The Farrar joke after the 2 kids were kileld was if I recall correctly.

                ““Just out of interest, does anyone know where the Bain honeymoon was?

                • Tracey …
                  7 April 2014 at 1:53 pm

                  but no comment about the quality of a chap who twice makes tasteless jokes at the expense of bereaved folks.

                  still slater thinks exposing a victim of sexual abuse is cool if hes doing it.

                  birds of a feather

                  • felix …
                    7 April 2014 at 7:06 pm

                    Slater is even worse.

                    Farrar may pretend to be a pedo for a laugh, but as far as I know he hasn’t made or published any child pornography.

                    • ShawnLH …
                      24 April 2014 at 1:46 pm

                      Why was this comment by felix allowed past moderation?

                      That is well and truly a sick accusation to make, and it should not have been allowed.

                      [lprent: They aren’t accusations, they are statements of known fact.

                      Back in 2008 Cameron Slater photoshopped (amongst others) a young teenage labour activist’s head on to a homosexual porn image.

                      More recently there was a actual photo of David Farrar at a fancy dress party dressed up in the signature clothes of a convicted UK TV pedophile. Haven’t seen that myself but it was widely discussed on the blogs at the time.

                      I could dig out both images, but I’m sure that given these hints that you can google them yourself. If not then ask and someone is sure to have them archived.

                      However the reason that the comment wasn’t moderated was because felix was stating facts rather than asserting something that wasn’t true. ]

                • McFlock …
                  7 April 2014 at 2:00 pm

                  translation: “now I’ve had time to google up the relevant events across the ditch in NZ, I will pretend that’s what I meant all along”.

                  Nice work, SSpylands.

                • Huginn …
                  7 April 2014 at 4:16 pm

                  srylands

                  You call that a joke? It’s a terrible thing to say – what was he thinking? and what are you thinking repeating it and describing someone who can say such a thing as ‘a top bloke’?

                  • srylands …
                    7 April 2014 at 6:52 pm

                    It may have been a poor taste joke. Get over it. The guy contributes significantly to public policy debate in New Zealand. His writing is lucid, logical, and he is widely read. He is a major employer and contributes millions in tax revenue. Just what New Zealand needs.

                    Why do you have a problem with him? I can get how WOBH gets up your nose. But why Kiwiblog for gods sake? Is it because he was a fatty? I can kind of understand that – but he is a changed man. Have you considered that? Have you read his travel blogs? Seriously – find a better target. You will get nowhere with Farrar and just wind yourself into twisted and bitter while Farrar climbs mountains and hangs in Nevada and runs the NYC marathon.

                    Time for you to move on.

                    • felix …
                      7 April 2014 at 6:57 pm

                      Lucid and logical?

                      You should talk to JonoL upthread. He reckons Farrar can’t tell the difference between writing “This is” and writing “This might be”.

                    • Tracey …
                      8 April 2014 at 6:50 am

                      he seems to have made some errors in his piece berating tv3…

            • felix 6.1.5.1.1.2
              7 April 2014 at 1:19 pm

              Yep you must forgive our friend srylands, he doesn’t know much about NZ stuff.

              He thinks the GST rate here is 10%.

              He once said the mudflats of the Kaipara Harbour would be the perfect site for a nuclear reactor – silly fool had looked at googlemaps and taken a guess, and didn’t realise that the blue bit represented about 3 inches of water.

              In this instace he probably just googled “dunedin murder father children”.

              I don’t think he’s ever set foot in NZ.

          • felix 6.1.5.1.2
            7 April 2014 at 1:21 pm

            “OK 99.99% of the time he is reasonable and intelligent.”

            The time he dressed as a pedophile for a fancy dress party, was that part of the 99.99%?

            What is it about Farrar and children?

          • wtl 6.1.5.1.3
            7 April 2014 at 1:51 pm

            99.99% of the time he is reasonable and intelligent. How is that?

            I never understand all this love for Farrar. Sure, you might support his politics and points of view, but why bother defending the fella when he does stupid shit?

      • Murray Olsen 6.1.6
        7 April 2014 at 9:57 pm

        He always strikes me as creepy, mercenary, sleazy, cowardly, and perverted. It is these attributes that make him widely read by the right and successful at encouraging the most vile hatreds. Limited pseudo-intelligence, contacts, forelock tugging and a prehensile tongue go a long way in NAct circles.

        Fixed it for you, SSlands. And I call you SSlands because, with your blithering on about politeness, you remind me of a story I read years ago. An RAF pilot was shot down over France and captured by the Waffen SS. He was first interrogated by an aristocratic intelligence officer, von Sumzink und Utha, who displayed impeccable manners, but warned him that he would be turned over to the Luftwaffe, where he could not expect tea and crumpets, because they just didn’t come from the right stock. So fuck your smarmy fake politeness.

      • repateet 6.1.7
        8 April 2014 at 11:00 am

        People used to talk about the ‘wolf in sheep’s clothing.’

        Maybe a contest could be organised for a trendy, modern, new media friendly equivalent expression to encapsulate the special quality that people like David Farrar and John Key carry.

        ‘The suited mustelidae’ has a certain ring about it.

  7. felix 7
    7 April 2014 at 12:49 pm

    Reads like a Jason Ede post to me, innit.

  8. c Tracey 8
    7 April 2014 at 2:35 pm

    if you read watkins response to farrar and kiwoblog, farrar got more than a few things wrong in his post in defence of countdown.

    maybe while in nepal farrar will find his soul.

    [Hey Tracey your name needs amending – MS]

  9. captain hook 9
    7 April 2014 at 4:44 pm

    lets face it. fatboy is a f*cking moran who runs up and down mountains, stops speeding bullets with his teeth and is slimy piece of crud whose only reel frend in the wurld is whaleboil. waddaguy!

    • lurgee 9.1
      7 April 2014 at 6:09 pm

      lets face it. fatboy is a f*cking moran who runs up and down mountains, stops speeding bullets with his teeth and is slimy piece of crud whose only reel frend in the wurld is whaleboil. waddaguy!

      Weird how someone makes a comment about Paula Bennett’s appearance, and everyone comes over all chivilrous; but no-one on the left – apart from me – fins a comment like that puerile and disgusting.

      Can we please be consistently rude, or polite, regardless of gender?

      • srylands 9.1.1
        7 April 2014 at 6:22 pm

        I’m all for making fun of fat people. Especially fat people with huge carbon footprints. But in this case it is inaccurate. He aint fat. Far from it.

        • lurgee 9.1.1.1
          7 April 2014 at 9:25 pm

          I find it a bit strange that The Heroic Forces of the Left rounded on someone – one of their (alleged) own – the other day, in defence of Paula Bennett’s appearance. Yet when it doesn’t involve some bird getting fun poked at her over her appearance, they don’t seem to care. Bit of a weird double standard.

          Fat woman, fat bloke, don’t see the difference. Its abhorrent in either case, or it doesn’t matter in either case, but people need to decide and be consistent.

          Sometimes, I despise my fellow travellers, a bit. They come across as a nasty bunch of yahoos – like the Whaleoil vermin, only not as forthright and bold in their foulness.

          • Tracey 9.1.1.1.1
            8 April 2014 at 6:56 am

            my focus on this thread was Farrar’s comments, watkins reply and slylands appalling defence of some indefensible things. Along the way Slylands “stop being so riude” reverts to his name calling and suggesting I am drunk.

            I’m aware Farrar lost weight, I said that in my first response, so to me calling him a “fatboy” is so erroneous it doesn’t require comment.

            I have also scolded people for referring to Brownlee’s weight on here.

  10. srylands 10
    7 April 2014 at 4:54 pm

    I think you mean moron. I understand he has many friends and he isnt fat.

    Putting aside the communist vitriol this is a non issue . If the author thinks it is a real issue he should put it to David and ask for a response. He might get further if he skips the usual rudeness and bile.

    • Tracey 10.1
      7 April 2014 at 4:59 pm

      have you read what watkins wrote? its to farrar and kiwiblog readers.

      do you realise how stupid you look lecturing people about politeness while callng people names

      • srylands 10.1.1
        7 April 2014 at 5:40 pm

        Yes I have read it. It is poorly written.

        You won’t get anything out of Farrar for 3 weeks. When he comes off the mountain, Watkins can ask him to respond. In the interim, it is all speculation.

        OK, point taken. I am polite to 99% of people I deal with because most of them are rational.

        • Tracey 10.1.1.1
          8 April 2014 at 6:57 am

          so when you agree with someone they are intelligent and polite, articulate and just darn loveable. When you disagree they write poorly.

          I hope you are not in the audit game, in any form, with such established prejudices based on your political ideology (or self interest)

    • amirite 10.2
      7 April 2014 at 5:15 pm

      lol @ communist vitriol. So what should we call you guys then? Bloody Nazis, I guess.

    • Te Reo Putake 10.3
      7 April 2014 at 5:40 pm

      “I think you mean moron.”

      Nice acceptance of the epiphet, moran.

  11. Ecosse_Maidy 11
    7 April 2014 at 5:38 pm

    I can’t help but wonder what Blair was thinking in that photograph ……..”I don’t care if this a New Zealand welcome…Get your Hands off my cock!”

    • Tracey 11.1
      8 April 2014 at 6:59 am

      I thought that photo said way more about Blair than Key or Farrar.

      We already know key will shake the hand of anyone he thinks is a celebrity… while laughing at the funeral of the greatest leader/man of the 20th century

  12. srylands 12
    7 April 2014 at 6:34 pm

    David Farrar can respond to the open letter if he wishes, but here is my 2 cents on the key parts:

    But viewers were left in no doubt about the ASA complaints and their outcomes. There was no “key fact missing” from The Nation or the video at the top of the story you link to. Did you bother to watch that?

    I didn’t see the programme – at face value this is fair enough criticism if correct.

    Second, you seem to miss the crucial point of the Lotto allegations made by Labour MP Shane Jones. You wrote:

    “Then the next bash was shock horror they sell Lotto tickets: … That’s just pathetic. I’ve been buying lotto tickets at New World for over a decade. Why is it fine at one group of supermarkets, but not another? This is just smearing Countdown.”

    Countdown sells Lotto tickets at the tills.

    This is smearing countdown. How hard is it to buy lotto tickets? You can buy them online for gods sake.

    Jones is right when he makes the distinction between what Countdown does compared to other supermarkets;

    No he is wrong.

    You may say large Jackpots are fine and fun, as is selling Lotto at the till. But the Mad Butcher said sales of food – food – at his stores falls by 8-9 percent on Jackpot weeks and by up to 15 percent on Jackpot days.

    So? Some folk are just dumb.

    Other retailers tell of similar trends and budgeting agencies tell of an increased demand for foodbank parcles in the days after a Jackpot weekend.

    See above about stupid people.

    Desperate people make bad choices, it seems. Is that purely their responsibility or are Lotto and Countdown also culpable.

    It is purely their responsibility.

    Third, I’m curious how you know about the contents of the letter.

    Did he have the letter? Or is he simply reciting what Countdown said publicly. I suspect it is the latter. Only Farrar knows. So wast of time speculating. But no evidence is provided here for anything improper.

    Fourth, you have every right to support Countdown in the hours it wants to sell alcohol. But that’s not the point of Yule’s criticism – or that of two others mayors The Nation spoke to. The purpose of the bill National passed last year was that local communities should have the final word on what hours alcohol can be sold in their community. Judith Collin could explain that to you. Countdown, as is their legal right, is challenging that. Fair enough. But the mayors’ complaint is that Progressive has been particularly aggressive in its approach – more so than any other appellant.

    I would like them to be highly aggressive. Stopping supermarkets selling wine after 9PM is nuts. (I have no interest in this as I don’t drink alcohol, but it is still nuts.)

    Finally, you “acknowledge that Countdown’s alleged behaviour towards suppliers appears to have been bad”, but you don’t mention that the most significant part of Morton’s claims were over treatment of suppliers and the fact he has become the first person to confirm he has taken part in a complaint to the Commerce Commission on just that issue.

    No view – hopefully the CC will shed some light.

    So in summary, a long winded whine about nothing much at all.
    1. Countdown is being smeared irrationally
    2. The lotto thing is bloody nuts.
    3. The alcohol sales hours thing is bloody nuts.
    4. The Farrar thing is probably bloody nuts, but he can answer that if he wants.

    Regards,

    Tim Watkin

    • felix 12.1
      7 April 2014 at 6:45 pm

      Can someone please delete that garbled mangled pile of shit so srylands can try again?

      • srylands 12.1.1
        7 April 2014 at 6:54 pm

        I suggest you quit with the rudeness and read it.

        • felix 12.1.1.1
          7 April 2014 at 7:01 pm

          How the fuck is anyone supposed to read that? There’s no way of knowing which parts are yours, which parts are Farrar’s and which parts are Watkins’.

          Write it again and do it properly this time. It’s not difficult.

    • lurgee 12.2
      7 April 2014 at 9:28 pm

      Ah, the much feared Dadaist-surrealist-Escher style of posting. Look at it one way, and it is gobbledigook. Look at it another, and is gookdigobble! Either way, unanswerable, because incomprehensible.

      Still, a masterpiece of something or other.

  13. captain hook 13
    7 April 2014 at 7:54 pm

    to quote his bobness, sorrylands is tangled up in poo.

  14. Clemgeopin 14
    7 April 2014 at 9:39 pm

    That handshake in the picture is not too clear. I won’t be surprised if it is another Key’s signature three-way-handshake. But where is the troty?

  15. Rob 15
    7 April 2014 at 9:43 pm

    It’s a bit sad that an Aussie troll feels the need to chuck in his two cents to political debate in little old Aotearoa… and even pretend he’s one of us.

    Spraylands, do yourself a favour and increase the IQs of both our fair countries by finding some Aussie political news to comment on.

    I understand you have a massive boner for the penguin and, yes he does come across as rational most of the time, but I’m sure you have your fair share of hard core Tories dressed as moderate Tories to satisfy your need to spray mindless bullshit to anyone who will listen.

    • Tracey 15.1
      8 April 2014 at 7:06 am

      There’s an old strategy in policy and lobbying. You have someone quite extreme, damnding the world and chaining themselves tot he boardroom table (or in Slater’s case exposing identities of sexual assault victims for his own end ) and then you have someone from the middle, seeking change but not seeming as radical.

      Farrar and Slater play this role. Farrar seems sane and compassionate and reasoned because of who he is being compared with…

  16. Tracey 16
    8 April 2014 at 7:03 am

    Slylands spent the day defending Farrar. Curious and curiouser, given he doesn’t care enough about politics to get emotional about it.

  17. MaxFletcher 17
    8 April 2014 at 9:59 am

    Out of curiousity, there is lot of talk about Farrar dressing as a pedophile for a fancy dress party. When was this? I was aware he dressed as David Bain once but that is all. Anyone got a link?

    • Murray Olsen 17.1
      8 April 2014 at 10:10 pm

      Here’s one reference to it:
      //twitter.com/CrAaronHawkins/status/345107451881848834

  18. srylands 18
    8 April 2014 at 12:26 pm

    Farrar denies being briefed by Countdown. Problem solved.

    http://tinyurl.com/mkbje7v

    • felix 18.1
      8 April 2014 at 12:36 pm

      Yep, he got his info directly from National.

    • freedom 18.2
      8 April 2014 at 12:37 pm

      this bit?
      “@mdnharris @Tim_Watkin No I wasn’t. Just a smear attack by Tim on me. Had zero dealings with them.”

      If it wasn’t Countdown, then where did he get his intimate knowledge of the letter?

      “David Farrar said : The so called threatening letter merely asks for a transcript of the last hearing – which is a routine request.”

      • Tracey 18.2.1
        8 April 2014 at 12:42 pm

        I suspect farrar wrote it that way to appear he had more knowledge than anyone else… deliberately misleading.

        the alternative is he is a poor writer. slylands ought to vehemently oppose the later explanation.

    • Tracey 18.3
      8 April 2014 at 12:39 pm

      gosh you thought it would take 3 weeks to get an answer. I guess this was more important than you suggested. how many emails texts and tweets did you send him yesterday.

  19. srylands 19
    24 April 2014 at 1:13 pm

    As I thought. Farrar’s detailed rebuttal shows this original post was a load of bollocks.

    http://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2014/04/responding_to_tim_watkin.html

    • bad12 19.1
      24 April 2014 at 1:23 pm

      The only load of shit round here SSLands is you, now piss off back to the sewer where you belong…

    • McFlock 19.2
      24 April 2014 at 1:26 pm

      linkwhoring for him now? there’s a surprise…

      Not even a summary of the main points to actually show that the post is “bollocks”. 🙄

      • srylands 19.2.1
        24 April 2014 at 1:42 pm

        No. You can presumably read his brief and cogent post as quickly as me. Why do you want a summary?

        • McFlock 19.2.1.1
          24 April 2014 at 2:50 pm

          Because I don’t want to give him clickstats.
          Because every time I do check a link from a tory or nutbar, it’s invariably been a waste of my time and almost never lived up to the hype of the linkwhore.
          Because I wouldn’t put it past him to graze as much data as possible from anyone who visits his site, including the use of flash cookies.

          Because you initially described it as a detailed rebuttal, but now you’re calling it brief and cogent. While it’s theoretically possible that both descriptions are true, the fact that you’re spinning like crazy to boost farrar’s site visits disinclines me further to bother with your bullshit. You stupid cow.

    • Puckish Rogue 19.3
      24 April 2014 at 1:58 pm

      You think the posters on here care about things like this, they only care about smears and half-truths

  20. RRM 20
    24 April 2014 at 1:43 pm

    Farrar says he got his information directly from the story that is on the TV3 website…?

    I guess telling lies, and smearing people you disagree with (saying they are in the pay of your enemies) is easier and more fun than running with facts though.

    The trouble with Labour people is their utter tribal loyalty makes them incapable of reading the facts of any even remotely complex issue and independently forming a conclusion. Oh no. If you’re not for us, then you’re for THEM and you’re THE ENEMY. And the enemy is INFINITELY malign and cunning.

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  • Weekly Roundup 19-July-2024

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  • Tobacco First

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  • Trump’s Adopted Son.

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  • Joint statement from the Prime Ministers of Canada, Australia and New Zealand

    Australia, Canada and New Zealand today issued the following statement on the need for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza and the risk of expanded conflict between Hizballah and Israel. The situation in Gaza is catastrophic. The human suffering is unacceptable. It cannot continue.  We remain unequivocal in our condemnation of ...
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  • AG reminds institutions of legal obligations

    Attorney-General Judith Collins today reminded all State and faith-based institutions of their legal obligation to preserve records relevant to the safety and wellbeing of those in its care. “The Abuse in Care Inquiry’s report has found cases where records of the most vulnerable people in State and faith‑based institutions were ...
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  • More young people learning about digital safety

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  • Speech to the Conference for General Practice 2024

    Tēnā tātou katoa,  Ngā mihi te rangi, ngā mihi te whenua, ngā mihi ki a koutou, kia ora mai koutou. Thank you for the opportunity to be here and the invitation to speak at this 50th anniversary conference. I acknowledge all those who have gone before us and paved the ...
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  • Employers and payroll providers ready for tax changes

    New Zealand’s payroll providers have successfully prepared to ensure 3.5 million individuals will, from Wednesday next week, be able to keep more of what they earn each pay, says Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Revenue Minister Simon Watts.  “The Government's tax policy changes are legally effective from Wednesday. Delivering this tax ...
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  • Experimental vineyard futureproofs wine industry

    An experimental vineyard which will help futureproof the wine sector has been opened in Blenheim by Associate Regional Development Minister Mark Patterson. The covered vineyard, based at the New Zealand Wine Centre – Te Pokapū Wāina o Aotearoa, enables controlled environmental conditions. “The research that will be produced at the Experimental ...
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  • Funding confirmed for regions affected by North Island Weather Events

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  • Indonesian Foreign Minister to visit

    Indonesia’s Foreign Minister, Retno Marsudi, will visit New Zealand next week, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.   “Indonesia is important to New Zealand’s security and economic interests and is our closest South East Asian neighbour,” says Mr Peters, who is currently in Laos to engage with South East Asian partners. ...
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  • Strengthening partnership with Ngāti Maniapoto

    He aha te kai a te rangatira? He kōrero, he kōrero, he kōrero. The government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the aspirations of Ngāti Maniapoto, Minister for Māori Development Tama Potaka says. “My thanks to Te Nehenehenui Trust – Ngāti Maniapoto for bringing their important kōrero to a ministerial ...
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  • Transport Minister thanks outgoing CAA Chair

    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has thanked outgoing Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority, Janice Fredric, for her service to the board.“I have received Ms Fredric’s resignation from the role of Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority,” Mr Brown says.“On behalf of the Government, I want to thank Ms Fredric for ...
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  • Test for Customary Marine Title being restored

    The Government is proposing legislation to overturn a Court of Appeal decision and amend the Marine and Coastal Area Act in order to restore Parliament’s test for Customary Marine Title, Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith says.  “Section 58 required an applicant group to prove they have exclusively used and occupied ...
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  • Opposition united in bad faith over ECE sector review

    Regulation Minister David Seymour says that opposition parties have united in bad faith, opposing what they claim are ‘dangerous changes’ to the Early Childhood Education sector, despite no changes even being proposed yet.  “Issues with affordability and availability of early childhood education, and the complexity of its regulation, has led ...
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  • Kiwis having their say on first regulatory review

    After receiving more than 740 submissions in the first 20 days, Regulation Minister David Seymour is asking the Ministry for Regulation to extend engagement on the early childhood education regulation review by an extra two weeks.  “The level of interest has been very high, and from the conversations I’ve been ...
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  • Government upgrading Lower North Island commuter rail

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  • Government moves to ensure flood protection for Wairoa

    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced his intention to appoint a Crown Manager to both Hawke’s Bay Regional and Wairoa District Councils to speed up the delivery of flood protection work in Wairoa."Recent severe weather events in Wairoa this year, combined with damage from Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023 have ...
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  • PM speech to Parliament – Royal Commission of Inquiry’s Report into Abuse in Care

    Mr Speaker, this is a day that many New Zealanders who were abused in State care never thought would come. It’s the day that this Parliament accepts, with deep sorrow and regret, the Report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care.  At the heart of this report are the ...
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  • Government acknowledges torture at Lake Alice

    For the first time, the Government is formally acknowledging some children and young people at Lake Alice Psychiatric Hospital experienced torture. The final report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith-based Care “Whanaketia – through pain and trauma, from darkness to light,” was tabled in Parliament ...
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  • Government acknowledges courageous abuse survivors

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  • Half a million people use tax calculator

    With a week to go before hard-working New Zealanders see personal income tax relief for the first time in fourteen years, 513,000 people have used the Budget tax calculator to see how much they will benefit, says Finance Minister Nicola Willis.  “Tax relief is long overdue. From next Wednesday, personal income ...
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  • Paid Parental Leave improvements pass first reading

    Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden says a bill that has passed its first reading will improve parental leave settings and give non-biological parents more flexibility as primary carer for their child. The Regulatory Systems Amendment Bill (No3), passed its first reading this morning. “It includes a change ...
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  • Rebuilding the economy through better regulation

    Two Bills designed to improve regulation and make it easier to do business have passed their first reading in Parliament, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. The Regulatory Systems (Economic Development) Amendment Bill and Regulatory Systems (Immigration and Workforce) Amendment Bill make key changes to legislation administered by the Ministry ...
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  • ‘Open banking’ and ‘open electricity’ on the way

    New legislation paves the way for greater competition in sectors such as banking and electricity, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says. “Competitive markets boost productivity, create employment opportunities and lift living standards. To support competition, we need good quality regulation but, unfortunately, a recent OECD report ranked New ...
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  • Charity lotteries to be permitted to operate online

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says lotteries for charitable purposes, such as those run by the Heart Foundation, Coastguard NZ, and local hospices, will soon be allowed to operate online permanently. “Under current laws, these fundraising lotteries are only allowed to operate online until October 2024, after which ...
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  • Accelerating Northland Expressway

    The Coalition Government is accelerating work on the new four-lane expressway between Auckland and Whangārei as part of its Roads of National Significance programme, with an accelerated delivery model to deliver this project faster and more efficiently, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “For too long, the lack of resilient transport connections ...
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    4 days ago
  • Sir Don to travel to Viet Nam as special envoy

    Sir Don McKinnon will travel to Viet Nam this week as a Special Envoy of the Government, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.    “It is important that the Government give due recognition to the significant contributions that General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong made to New Zealand-Viet Nam relations,” Mr ...
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    4 days ago
  • Grant Illingworth KC appointed as transitional Commissioner to Royal Commission

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says newly appointed Commissioner, Grant Illingworth KC, will help deliver the report for the first phase of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into COVID-19 Lessons, due on 28 November 2024.  “I am pleased to announce that Mr Illingworth will commence his appointment as ...
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  • NZ to advance relationships with ASEAN partners

    Foreign Minister Winston Peters travels to Laos this week to participate in a series of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-led Ministerial meetings in Vientiane.    “ASEAN plays an important role in supporting a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific,” Mr Peters says.   “This will be our third visit to ...
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    4 days ago
  • Backing mental health services on the West Coast

    Construction of a new mental health facility at Te Nikau Grey Hospital in Greymouth is today one step closer, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says. “This $27 million facility shows this Government is delivering on its promise to boost mental health care and improve front line services,” Mr Doocey says. ...
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    4 days ago
  • NZ support for sustainable Pacific fisheries

    New Zealand is committing nearly $50 million to a package supporting sustainable Pacific fisheries development over the next four years, Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones announced today. “This support consisting of a range of initiatives demonstrates New Zealand’s commitment to assisting our Pacific partners ...
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  • Students’ needs at centre of new charter school adjustments

    Associate Education Minister David Seymour says proposed changes to the Education and Training Amendment Bill will ensure charter schools have more flexibility to negotiate employment agreements and are equipped with the right teaching resources. “Cabinet has agreed to progress an amendment which means unions will not be able to initiate ...
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    4 days ago
  • Commissioner replaces Health NZ Board

    In response to serious concerns around oversight, overspend and a significant deterioration in financial outlook, the Board of Health New Zealand will be replaced with a Commissioner, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti announced today.  “The previous government’s botched health reforms have created significant financial challenges at Health NZ that, without ...
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    5 days ago
  • Minister to speak at Australian Space Forum

    Minister for Space and Science, Innovation and Technology Judith Collins will travel to Adelaide tomorrow for space and science engagements, including speaking at the Australian Space Forum.  While there she will also have meetings and visits with a focus on space, biotechnology and innovation.  “New Zealand has a thriving space ...
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    5 days ago
  • Climate Change Minister to attend climate action meeting in China

    Climate Change Minister Simon Watts will travel to China on Saturday to attend the Ministerial on Climate Action meeting held in Wuhan.  “Attending the Ministerial on Climate Action is an opportunity to advocate for New Zealand climate priorities and engage with our key partners on climate action,” Mr Watts says. ...
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    5 days ago
  • Oceans and Fisheries Minister to Solomons

    Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is travelling to the Solomon Islands tomorrow for meetings with his counterparts from around the Pacific supporting collective management of the region’s fisheries. The 23rd Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Committee and the 5th Regional Fisheries Ministers’ Meeting in Honiara from 23 to 26 July ...
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    7 days ago
  • Government launches Military Style Academy Pilot

    The Government today launched the Military Style Academy Pilot at Te Au rere a te Tonga Youth Justice residence in Palmerston North, an important part of the Government’s plan to crackdown on youth crime and getting youth offenders back on track, Minister for Children, Karen Chhour said today. “On the ...
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    7 days ago
  • Nine priority bridge replacements to get underway

    The Government has welcomed news the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has begun work to replace nine priority bridges across the country to ensure our state highway network remains resilient, reliable, and efficient for road users, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“Increasing productivity and economic growth is a key priority for the ...
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    1 week ago
  • Update on global IT outage

    Acting Prime Minister David Seymour has been in contact throughout the evening with senior officials who have coordinated a whole of government response to the global IT outage and can provide an update. The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet has designated the National Emergency Management Agency as the ...
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  • New Zealand, Japan renew Pacific partnership

    New Zealand and Japan will continue to step up their shared engagement with the Pacific, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “New Zealand and Japan have a strong, shared interest in a free, open and stable Pacific Islands region,” Mr Peters says.    “We are pleased to be finding more ways ...
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    1 week ago
  • New infrastructure energises BOP forestry towns

    New developments in the heart of North Island forestry country will reinvigorate their communities and boost economic development, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones visited Kaingaroa and Kawerau in Bay of Plenty today to open a landmark community centre in the former and a new connecting road in ...
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  • 'Pacific Futures'

    President Adeang, fellow Ministers, honourable Diet Member Horii, Ambassadors, distinguished guests.    Minasama, konnichiwa, and good afternoon, everyone.    Distinguished guests, it’s a pleasure to be here with you today to talk about New Zealand’s foreign policy reset, the reasons for it, the values that underpin it, and how it ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

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