Deranged Golriz Syndrome

Written By: - Date published: 10:36 am, December 3rd, 2017 - 102 comments
Categories: Abuse of power, blogs, David Farrar, Dirty Politics, dpf, greens, Media, national, Politics, same old national, spin, the praiseworthy and the pitiful, you couldn't make this shit up - Tags:

Her Royal majesty’s opposition’s pollster has shown a particularly obsessive streak this week.  He has posted no less than six posts in as many days about Golriz Ghahraman and has continued the theme that somehow she has been deceptive in not declaring that she defended as well as prosecuted war criminals even though she said it at various times to various reporters.

He recently claimed to have identified 15 different occasions where he says she has misled us.  There are a few problems with his analysis the biggest one being that most of the “occasions” were other people talking about Golriz.

One was in a Green Party newsletter, no doubt relying on the slightly inelegantly worded description of her on the Green’s website.

One was her wikipedia page.  But the original post appears to have been written by a user HenryCrun15 who is interested in politics in New Zealand.  Chances are he also used the Green’s website for the information.

Six are media references which make generalised references to her work.  No doubt they all accessed the original slightly inelegantly expressed CV on the Green Party website or maybe they were just referencing each other.  And there are a further five occasions including her own linked in page where reference to her defence work was made.

Three are statements by James Shaw in different speeches where Shaw says variations of “Golriz is now a human rights lawyer who worked as a prosecutor at the United Nations tribunals for Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia. She also worked on the Khmer Rouge tribunal in Cambodia” and claims the statement is totally wrong.  Um DPF the statements are pretty well completely correct except for a slight misdescription of her initial role which no doubt was seeded from the original slightly messy statement about her CV.

One article written by Golriz and published in Impolitikal magazine has her stating how she was “prosecuting heads of state for the United Nations”.  Farrar claims that she only prosecuted one head of state.  The problem with this claim is that she was involved in the prosecution of heads of state and it was more than one.  And strangely Farrar’s post went up with the incorrect information

Another source was the Green’s confidential newsletter to Green members during the list selection process where Golriz said that “my work as a lawyer for the UN and in NZ have focused on enforcing human rights and holding governments to account”.  Again this is the work she was doing so I fail to see the problem.

One is a Villianesse interview.  DPF says “[a]lso in an Orwellian move The Villainesse has edited the story to remove reference to prosecuting”.  After complaining that Golriz should have had the stories corrected he then complains when one is.

The problem however is that Farrar has not corrected his mistake.  It has been shown to him conclusively that one of his claimed instances of dishonesty is not correct.  Yet his post still claims there are 15 occasions when we have been deceived.

The last is Golriz’s maiden speech where she said “I saw that at the Rwanda Tribunal, at The Hague and when I prosecuted the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia. Holding politicians and armies to account for breaching their powers.”  The statement is again correct in fact clearly correct.  DPF needs to understand that holding people to account requires defence lawyers working to ensure that their rights are respected.

And he ought to appreciate how a slightly incorrect statement with enough retelling can suddenly become perceived truth.  National engages in this all the time.

I suspect the National Party research unit has been scouring the internet seeking traces of text referring to Golriz where the words can be spun to suggest that she has not been completely honest.  The funny thing about the English language is that it can be bent into all sorts of ways. If it was as precise as Farrar claims we would have no need of lawyers.

This is just a nasty gratuitous hounding of Golriz.

102 comments on “Deranged Golriz Syndrome ”

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  1. Carolyn_nth 1
    3 December 2017 at 10:56 am

    Good post. But why pick on this MP?

    And, the book tells it all (front page image).

    • weka 1.1
      3 December 2017 at 11:26 am

      Yes, and it’s only going to get worse I think. Golriz because she’s young, talented and has potential to be popular, so good strategy to undermine her early in her political career. Also, her Iranian background and that she was a refugee as a child make her an easy target. Lots of poking at NZ’s racist underbelly. I would say that Farrar should be ashamed of himself, but he’s well beyond that.

      • rhinocrates 1.1.2
        3 December 2017 at 12:36 pm

        Lots of poking at NZ’s racist underbelly.

        The recent nonsense from Brash and Wayne’s extremely disingenuous dogwhistling here recently, with a specific comparison with Meteria, another talented woman who’s willfully and persistently brown skinned and who’s seen as an interloper in his old boy’s club, shows that underbelly happens also to be the ‘aristocracy.’

        Wayne Blimp happens to be just a bit slicker than Brash while the Penguin is just a bit slicker than WO. We saw a classic two-stream dirty politics manoeuvre there with Wayne pretending to be reasonable and referring to the Penguin as ‘reasonable’, while winking at the mob and the Penguin is more overtly and systematically rabble-rousing.

        I would say that Farrar should be ashamed of himself, but he’s well beyond that.

        I think he takes a glee in repelling people. A nephew of mine, when about 5 was with my very prim and proper aunt and he soon cottoned on to the fact that he could offend her, so he just kept saying “Fart… fart… fart…” The Penguin is that 5 year-old.

        Combine that with the fact that it’s well known in Wellington that [Lets not get to that level – MS]

        • veutoviper 1.1.2.1
          3 December 2017 at 1:06 pm

          ” … it’s well known in Wellington that [Agreed should not be referred to – MS] …”

          I am definitely not someone who sticks up for Farrar, but as someone long connected to the Wellington beltway I found this statement not strictly correct – AND what does this say/give perceptions of in respect of Farrar’s one year old son born 14 Nov 2016 and his mother?

          Let’s not go down to the Kiwiblog/WO sewer levels of insinuation etc.

          • rhinocrates 1.1.2.1.1
            3 December 2017 at 1:11 pm

            Clearly I’m a couple of years out of date on that detail. Thanks.

            • veutoviper 1.1.2.1.1.1
              3 December 2017 at 1:30 pm

              Thanks for acknowledging that.

              Farrar is also much slimmer (about 35kg apparently) and very fit.

              I wish him all the best in terms of partner, baby etc but that does not change my views on his lack of ethics, integrity etc. – particularly in that he’has probably personally experienced discrimination etc in terms of his own ethnic background, his language/speech difficulties in his childhood, his overweight etc earlier in his adulthood.

              (Although he is a different generation to me, he did go to the same primary school and I know a lot of his contemporaries there and know he did not necessarily have an easy time. )

              • Tracey …
                3 December 2017 at 3:41 pm

                The bullied has become a bully. A well known cycle.

                • James …
                  3 December 2017 at 5:06 pm

                  How many times have people on here bullied him about his weight ?

                  It’s a bit much when people complain about bullies when they do the same.

                  • weka …
                    3 December 2017 at 5:21 pm

                    I don’t know James, who many times have people bullied him?

                    You have this habit of making out that the commentariat does these terrible things but then you generally can’t back them up. This community isn’t that great with fat phobia, but you need to present actual evidence if you don’t want to be seen as stirring. (I suggest you point it out when it happens, and instead of making out that there are ‘all these people’ doing it, be specific to the person/people who are making problem comments).

                    • One Anonymous Bloke …
                      3 December 2017 at 5:25 pm

                      I can recall quite a few times when fat phobic remarks have been made here about eg: Gerry Brownlee or Cameron Slater, so it would hardly be surprising to see they’d been levelled at David Farrar too.

                      Where James falls down is that he doesn’t acknowledge those commenters who jump on such instances.

                    • James []
                      3 December 2017 at 6:28 pm

                      The problem is that it’s not normally jumped on if it’s someone from the other side.

                      It’s so you recall many people taking offence to Slater being called blubberboy? It’s become almost accepted language on here. (As an example)

                    • James …
                      3 December 2017 at 6:20 pm

                      To be fair I point it out often as it happens.

                      Take a comment yesterday where a commenter here was (basically) saying it’s a pity brash isn’t dead (of and Mugabee). (Not a specific fat comment – but an example)

                      It’s tastless but it often does not get pulled up (by other commenters) because it’s against a “righty”.

                    • James []
                      3 December 2017 at 6:25 pm

                      Here is the comment from greyrawashack –

                      “OWG Why do we have extended lives these days? Too long of Don Brash – white – and Robert Mugabe – black.”

                      Bwaghorn replied they are too miserable to die.

                      Just as a recent example of pulling it up.

                    • tracey …
                      3 December 2017 at 6:46 pm

                      I know many here have called people out for calling Bennett or Collins fat etc. You must have missed those.

                    • weka …
                      3 December 2017 at 8:52 pm

                      “To be fair I point it out often as it happens.”

                      I don’t think so. I think you talk about and complain. This thread is a classic example. You take someone’s words out of context, you clearly are cut and pasting and yet you don’t bother to link so that everyone else can see your pointing in context. If you want to be taken seriously on this, you need to link, every time. Otherwise you’re just having a winge, and often you’re doing so in a way that smears the commentariat.

                    • James []
                      3 December 2017 at 9:09 pm

                      On my phone – so trouble linking.

                      But is there a context where it’s ok to make a comment like that?

                    • weka …
                      3 December 2017 at 8:57 pm

                      “The problem is that it’s not normally jumped on if it’s someone from the other side.”

                      One of the early moderations I did where I felt like I was pushing the cultural boundaries here was to go through a thread and remove a bunch of repeated fat phobic comments. I couldn’t tell you who they were made against because I basically don’t care. Fatphobia is unacceptable no matter who does it and who it’s against (although there’s often an additional issue if it’s targeting women).

                      The people here who are understand fat politics will push back irrespective of sides. The people who don’t won’t. That’s an issue of education and setting boundaries. You can take part in that. Instead of using examples of fat phobia (or whatever) to take potshots at the commentariat, do the mahi of actually addressing the issues directly irrespective of the partisan issues.

                    • weka …
                      3 December 2017 at 8:58 pm

                      @OAB, I agree on both counts. I also think that James is more interested in complaining about how RW people get treated than he is in addressing fat phobia etc.

                    • Muttonbird …
                      3 December 2017 at 9:18 pm

                      James! Don’t post from your phone if you can’t do it properly.

                      In fact, don’t post at all.

                    • weka …
                      4 December 2017 at 12:06 am

                      @James, on my phone cut and pasting is the same from the address bar as from a webpage. Or I wait until I am back at my laptop. My points stand.

                  • One Anonymous Bloke …
                    3 December 2017 at 6:38 pm

                    you recall many people taking offence to Slater being called blubberboy?

                    I can recall being offended by it: there are so many more fitting and eloquent ways to describe his particular qualities.

                  • tracey …
                    3 December 2017 at 6:43 pm

                    Not me. I get sick of the “they do it too” puerility passing for comment here sometimes. Like the armies who called Helen Clark “Alan”.

                    Seeing as you have cognition problems, I was noting that many bullies were themselves bullied. IOW Farrar has been bullied and became a bulky.

                    Feel free to find where I mocked him for his weight and link it here

                    • Gareth …
                      4 December 2017 at 8:53 am

                      “IOW Farrar has been bullied and became a bulky.
                      Feel free to find where I mocked him for his weight and link it here”

                      I know it’s just a spelling mistake, but that’s some good irony.

                  • Tricledrown …
                    5 December 2017 at 3:15 pm

                    James lame construct evidence please.
                    Pathetic trolling.

        • stunned mullet 1.1.2.2
          3 December 2017 at 1:27 pm

          Good smear Rhino – let’s just ignore the fact that Farrar is a dad in a relationship.

        • rhinocrates 1.1.2.3
          3 December 2017 at 3:22 pm

          MS: agreed, that was too far. I apologise.

    • Anne 1.2
      3 December 2017 at 11:40 am

      …why pick on this MP?

      They perceive her as being vulnerable because of her female status, youth, ethnicity and the fact she is of “refugee” status. Add to that the bigotry and racism inherent among a lot of NZers, they know they are going to push a few well polished buttons by targeting her.

      • Tracey 1.2.1
        3 December 2017 at 3:42 pm

        And intelligent. Being intelligent and female is provocative enough but add in your descriptors…

    • fender 1.3
      3 December 2017 at 12:26 pm

      One only has to view her maiden speech to notice that this very talented beautiful woman has more intellectual and moral grunt than the entire history of the National Party. She also expressed a desire to see conduct in the house become more mature and respectful, something National are incapable of. They are very scared her approach and respect for human rights will gain traction as this will highlight the contrast with their nasty party ethos.

  2. David Mac 2
    3 December 2017 at 10:56 am

    The few terriers that won’t let this go are moving the focus onto themselves. After a quick flick through the Whale I wasn’t left thinking evil of Golriz I was left wondering ‘Why on earth is Slater so hellbent on this mega-slagging, who is pushing his buttons?’

    • BM 2.1
      3 December 2017 at 11:04 am

      Ghahraman wants NZ to take in middle eastern refugees, as you probably know Slater isn’t a great fan of Muslims especially those from the Middle East.

      • David Mac 2.1.2
        3 December 2017 at 11:21 am

        As a nation, I think most of us bear caveats on that prospect. Being of a left persuasion doesn’t mean being blind to bona fide footage from Berlin and Paris.

        I see your point but I also feel Golriz and the Greens are so far from the levers that would see planeloads of Syrians landing at Mangere that it’s not really a concern for Slater.

        Do you think that Slater is a Spin Dr for Hire?

      • Tracey 2.1.3
        3 December 2017 at 3:43 pm

        The more we have like her the better for all of us. We could engage in a swap. Will the Middle East take Slater?

        • lprent 2.1.3.1
          3 December 2017 at 5:41 pm

          I suspect that Israeli army could find a place for him

          That apartheid regime seem to use him for everything else if the persistent stories about the Israelis paying him directly or indirectly for propaganda are accurate.

          We could throw out in the Spanish bride for free.

      • RedLogix 2.1.4
        3 December 2017 at 6:12 pm

        I can’t be certain BM, but I suspect that the very reason why Ghahraman’s family fled Iran in 1990 may well have been precisely because they were NOT Muslim.

  3. dv 3
    3 December 2017 at 11:19 am

    Not too fond of slatters, especially those that inhabit rotten wood.

  4. weka 4
    3 December 2017 at 11:24 am

    “And strangely Farrar’s post went up with the incorrect information”

    Lol. The guy has zero credibility and should now be considered nothing but a Dirty Politics shill. This means that even when he makes good points he should be suspect and shunned, because nothing that comes from him can be trusted. He’s like Hooton in that regard. There are plenty of RW commentators who make good points despite their problematic politics and who have integrity, and they should be listened to, referenced, and debated with. DPF isn’t one of them.

  5. One Two 5
    3 December 2017 at 11:24 am

    GG past and history are only ‘known’, to her…

    And perhaps her handlers…

    It’s a nice story…

    • One Anonymous Bloke 5.1
      3 December 2017 at 12:48 pm

      That’s the way: make sure your vicious smears are vague and irrefutable. Stalin would be proud of you.

      • One Two 5.1.1
        3 December 2017 at 1:39 pm

        No one on this blog, including whoever you are, knows anything about GG, other than the story told to this point

        And it is just a story, which ticks so many boxes..

        You can challenge that comment…if you can…

        But do try to stop the repeated projecting..

        Your protracted record of abuse is indefensible, and drips from each incoherent thought you fumble out via the keyboard!

        • One Anonymous Bloke 5.1.1.1
          3 December 2017 at 2:02 pm

          Butter wouldn’t melt in your mouth eh. Dogs have “handlers”, as do spies, but I’m sure you have some “innocent” excuse for implying that Golriz Ghahraman is someone’s tool.

          Other than misogyny and racism, that is.

          Your protracted record of Chopraesque drivel is tiresome and vacuous, empty and vain. That is a comment about your (broken) record, not about you, although I’m not sure you’re capable of separating the two.

          • One Two 5.1.1.1.1
            3 December 2017 at 2:37 pm

            Keep coming…

            Although the parroting and naked mirroring is providing more than you might realise..

            That’s even before you reached, yet again for the ‘righteousness’ of ‘those cards’…

            GG might well be a tool, that remains to be observed over time…

            You’ve been posting long enough, so no more time is necessary for evaluation of your status!

            • Psycho Milt 5.1.1.1.1.1
              3 December 2017 at 3:16 pm

              GG might well be a tool, that remains to be observed over time…

              She might well be an extraterrestrial or the second coming of Our Lord Jesus Christ…

              Who knows?

              That remains to be seen over time…

              Challenge this comment… if you can…

              • One Two …
                3 December 2017 at 3:31 pm

                Good grief, Milt..

                That really is, low grade

                David Shearer is a tool of the UN…So is Helen Clark

                Mike Moore a tool of the WTO

                RBNZ governer Wheeler a tool of The World Bank

                John Key a tool of the banking system

                And on and on it goes

                They’re all tools…

                • McFlock …
                  3 December 2017 at 3:47 pm

                  You’re a sledgehammer that thinks it’s a pair of tweezers, and wants to remove everyone’s splinters…

              • Frank Macskasy …
                3 December 2017 at 9:02 pm

                Milt, I applaud your attempt to speak reason to commentators on Farrar’s blogposts. Your reasoned comments were in stark contrast to the hysterical responses you were getting. All the while, I had this image of your head banging against a brick wall in frustration.

                You have more patience than I do.

            • One Anonymous Bloke 5.1.1.1.1.2
              3 December 2017 at 4:37 pm

              I note you’ve backed away from your smear. Pity you don’t have the guts to withdraw it entirely.

              • One Two …
                3 December 2017 at 4:56 pm

                I’ve backed away…

                No

                I’ve emphasised the original point I made…

                While you’re still trying to achieve a sense of satisfaction by chasing my comments around..

                I’ve either tied you in knots or rejected your abusive modus operandi

                Don’t like, then deal with it some other way

                You’re a naturally abusive commentator

                See if you can evolve from that place..

                • One Anonymous Bloke …
                  3 December 2017 at 5:03 pm

                  You didn’t make a point, you simply smeared Golriz Ghahraman. Now you’re saying your smear “might” be true: the weasel words of a coward, although still better than the irrefutable Stalinist accusation/assertion you made in the first place.

                  Veutoviper can have the last word:

                  I have to agree (reluctantly LOL) with this comment by OAB to One Two that “You bring precise;y (sic)* zero to this discussion.”

                  * Do’h!

                  • veutoviper …
                    3 December 2017 at 5:14 pm

                    Liked it at the time as it was so true in respect of that ‘conversation’ as well as this one. The semicolon helped me find it again!

                    https://thestandard.org.nz/daily-review-22-11-2017/#comment-1417815

                  • One Two …
                    3 December 2017 at 5:24 pm

                    Using a commentator, who disagrees with what you usually have to say here..

                    As a proxy and crutch to get the last word in for your own self..

                    Take some responsibility for yourself…in doing so it might just change the tone of the ‘hatred’ seeping through your comments..

                    I’ve allowed myself to be dragged in…that’s on me…

                    • One Anonymous Bloke …
                      3 December 2017 at 5:29 pm

                      …that’s on me…

                      So are your smears and weasel words against Golriz Ghahraman.

                      And sure, mea culpa, I judged you. My bad. Kindness just wasn’t getting through.

            • greywarshark 5.1.1.1.1.3
              3 December 2017 at 8:12 pm

              OOh One Two you really come alive when you are battling some imagined attack. Better than drugs. Pharmac can learn a lot from you.

    • veutoviper 5.2
      3 December 2017 at 2:08 pm

      GG past and history are only ‘known’, to her… And perhaps her handlers…
      It’s a nice story…

      Really, One Two?

      Golriz (and her parents and sister) have been NZ residents since about 1990 despite being Iranian born. It is claimed (on Wikipedia) that “When Golriz Ghahraman was nine years old, her family left Iran for Malaysia, ostensibly for a holiday. From Malaysia they booked flights to Fiji, with a stopover in Auckland, where they sought and were granted asylum as political refugees.”

      The steps to claiming asylum as political refugees are very complicated and thorough, with many checks through international sources undertaken.

      https://www.immigration.govt.nz/audiences/supporting-refugees-and-asylum-seekers/asylum-seekers

      So, in addition to Golriz (and her family), the NZ government, eg Immigration and other govt depts, probably the UNHCR, and probably the SIS and/or the GCSB also know a lot about their past and history – otherwise they would not still be in NZ some 27 years after their arrival in c 1990.

      • One Two 5.2.1
        3 December 2017 at 2:21 pm

        Yes, really!

        • Macro 5.2.1.1
          3 December 2017 at 2:54 pm

          What a fool you are.
          My daughter worked both at the NZ Refugee Centre and in the Immigration vetting of Asylum Seekers such as the Ghahraman family. I can assure you and everyone here that the vetting of Asylum Seekers is not taken lightly. Every story is double checked and verification sought from UN, country of Origin, and other sources where ever possible. If ultimately (because they have recourse to review of decisions and appeal to the Minister) the story they tell does not check out they are denied entry, and sent back from whence they came on the next flight out.

          • veutoviper 5.2.1.1.1
            3 December 2017 at 3:05 pm

            Exactly, Macro.
            Look at what Ahmed Zaoui went through.

            But, having had a quick flick through One Two’s contributions on TS over the last month or so, I have to agree (reluctantly LOL) with this comment by OAB to One Two that “You bring precise;y (sic) zero to this discussion.”

            Now assigned to my ‘Don’t respond’ box.

          • Tracey 5.2.1.1.2
            3 December 2017 at 3:45 pm

            Seemingly better than the vetting of future Nat MPs…

          • One Two 5.2.1.1.3
            3 December 2017 at 5:01 pm

            That’s a good story too, Macro

            As I’ve said previously..

            Let time show the level of contribution the opportunity as a member of parliament offers.

            So many desperate commentators riding the wave of what…an unproven MP..

            Fools jump in!

            @vv, 5.2.1.1.1

            AZ is a poor comparison to use

            • One Anonymous Bloke 5.2.1.1.3.1
              3 December 2017 at 5:12 pm

              riding the wave

              Projecting your own feeble cynicism again. Sticking up for people who’ve been smeared and falsely accused – or in any way victimised – is a core Left-wing value.

              I note that precisely no-one is defending Golriz Ghahraman’s future. Her level of contribution is already substantive and well documented.

              Your new name is Sledgetweezer.

              • One Two …
                3 December 2017 at 5:34 pm

                Still with the insults and name calling..

                That response was to Macro..

                Yet there you are, again following around my comments..

                Stalker tendencies and abusive..

                Core ‘left wing’ values

                • One Anonymous Bloke …
                  3 December 2017 at 5:44 pm

                  😆

                  insulting

                  Once again, the butter doesn’t melt, as though the use of the word “story” in your comment is intended as anything other than a put-down.

                  And yeah, I find myself drawn to various people’s comments. Yours, because they consist of little but patronising attempts at superiority with a massive side-order of fail.

                  I agree with your remark that Golriz Ghahraman be allowed to stamp her own mark on Parliament. Such a pity you’d already undermined it with cynical weasel smears, and then used it to take a stab at The Standard community.

                  Edit: yes, core left-wing values, which I am neither responsible for nor beholden to. Still picking through that particular smorgasbord.

        • North 5.2.1.2
          3 December 2017 at 7:54 pm

          The first volley in this exchange was a smear repeated/levelled by One Two. Advisedly, repugnantly, odiously.

  6. Psycho Milt 6
    3 December 2017 at 11:31 am

    The whole hit (and half of that list) is based on the false premise that not specifically mentioning you were on the defence implies you were prosecuting. False premises are the propagandists’ best friend.

  7. Bill 7
    3 December 2017 at 11:57 am

    I can’t escape the feeling that much of this revolves around the notion that one ought not to defend anyone against charges brought by the UN because it casts doubt on the assumption that the UN represents all that is great and good – ie, it goes to the heart of western liberal mythology.

    The other person of late who disturbed the placid waters lying at the heart of liberal mythology was Metiria Turei when she highlighted the despicable cultural and institutional environment that’s set against poor people.

    In both cases then, we have (and I don’t think it’s incidental) women with brown skin upsetting comfortable illusions that ought never be subjected to scrutiny.

    Imagine if western liberalism came to be viewed, less as an expression of intrinsic benevolence, but more with meting out punishments and extending raw power? There’s implications to that.

    And some might rather the mere possibility of such views gaining traction was “headed off at the pass” – by marginalising and silencing any and all who might point (however innocently or accidentally) to that as a feasible take on western liberalism.

  8. Bob 8
    3 December 2017 at 12:05 pm

    Let’s hope the Labour Party digs deep into the deception of Jian Yang, the Communist spy that I saw firmly entrenched in the Gnat party.
    David Farrier is a muppet!

  9. mauī 9
    3 December 2017 at 1:14 pm

    Yet again one of the good peeps has to jump through hoops to get credibility from the attack dogs like Garner and Soper. The positive is that these false claims are slowly eroding the media’s power. Awesome to see good winning through in the end and even Newstalk radio was defending Golriz this morning which was refreshing! We need to keep the good poli’s in Parliament such as her.

  10. Ffloyd 10
    3 December 2017 at 1:34 pm

    I watched Sue Moroney on Q@A this morning and just want to say that it is a great shame she is no longer in Parliament. Having always admired her dedication and tenacity as well as being a fearless speaker in the House I will miss her in Question time but I bet the nats won’t.Great to see her in good form this morning.

  11. mary_a 11
    3 December 2017 at 1:41 pm

    Apart from being a young intelligent Kiwi, Golriz is also an extremely talented, strong woman, with a bright future ahead of her. An asset to NZ. We should be proud to have such a gifted caring MP in our Parliament.

    Pity middle aged/old white men such as Farrar et al can’t see those positive facts. Instead they find woman such as Golriz a threat, which only highlights their own bigoted, flawed weakness. Indication of an inadequacy there somewhere perhaps, to make them feel so intimidated they feel compelled to spit the venom! Sad creatures.

  12. Wensleydale 12
    3 December 2017 at 2:06 pm

    Once I know the source of a particular comment or article is David ‘Evil Friar Tuck’ Farrar, I disregard it out of hand. He’s an odious individual who seems to take a singular glee in twisting words and playing puerile semantic games in a sad attempt to maim anyone from the Left. I mean, if you have a legitimate concern or grievance, then fine, state your case and have at it. But playing stupid word games and being deliberately obtuse is just obnoxious and makes you look like a muppet.

    • McFlock 12.1
      3 December 2017 at 2:43 pm

      yup. Life is too short to consider bullshit on the off-chance that this time it has a shred of truth.

      And this post is a good reminder as to why the hypocritical penguin is nothing more than a used-car dealer without the integrity.

  13. Tracey 13
    3 December 2017 at 3:39 pm

    Who is this David Farrar? How many articles has he written about Keys lie, starting with the one revealled this week? The prior David Farrar didnt give a shit about lies but this one does?

    I am just wondering what she has really done wrong? Being appoibted to defend someone in a sanctioned crimknal process is not a fault, a crime or anything else.

    Compare it with, say, telling a lie, then giving the lie credence by promising to resign if your lie is caught, getting elected on your lie, getting knighted and staying silent and hidden when lie revealed.

    Or compare it to omitting you trained spies for a communist nation so you could become a resident in NZ

    Leave. Her. Alone. Even if she didnt say she worked as a defence lawyer it makes no difference. I dont tell everyone everything in my CV eitger

  14. savenz 14
    3 December 2017 at 3:50 pm

    Other things to have media attention about rather than Golriz.

    Todd Barclay enjoys paid summer holiday through Europe

    John Key lying about mass surveillance

    $11.7billion dollar hole Joyce lied about during election is actually a $20b defence Force upgrade

    world’s biggest seismic blasting ship coming to NZ to search for oil and gas

    Solar panel taxes

    Air pollution, ocean pollution, water pollution, climate change all getting worse and it’s expected impacts

    The ‘cameras’ that now don’t seem to be going ahead to try to stem overfishing.

    Rising cost of fresh food we produce in this country that people increasingly can’t afford to eat and the quality of imported food and biosecurity concerns. (Pork for example).

    TPPA

    etc etc

    • savenz 14.1
      3 December 2017 at 3:57 pm

      They also wheel out Brash to distract. It’s been going on for over a decade now, but still works a treat.

  15. savenz 15
    3 December 2017 at 4:20 pm

    At the very least the first 3

    Todd Barclay enjoys paid summer holiday through Europe

    John Key lying about mass surveillance

    $11.7billion dollar hole Joyce lied about during election is actually a $20b defence Force upgrade

    should be shouted from the roof tops by the left and Labour/Greens at every opportunity – stop repeating trivia (Golriz) and start throwing some real news out there and keep it in the news instead of being distracted every 2 seconds by some 70+ year old with zero political power and few supporters (Brash) so that real news gets buried.

  16. Thatcher 16
    3 December 2017 at 4:31 pm

    ‘slightly inelegantly worded description’, I prefer bullshit as a better interpretation

  17. Muttonbird 17
    3 December 2017 at 7:08 pm

    Those exhibiting this fevered hatred of Ghahraman are white, conservative, and hate socially conscious women with power, especially brown ones.

    They’ll say in unguarded moments that they don’t like being ‘talked down to’, as if what Ghahraman stands for is a direct attack on them personally. This betrays guilt for what they themselves stand for.

    In more guarded moments they’ll say she’s a hypocrite for ‘taking the moral high ground’ having acting in the defence of those involved in genocide.

    They are the same thing though – a hatred that a high profile brown woman in a position of power is able to speak against the traditions conservative white men have held so dear for so long.

    It’s certainly got bugger all to do with the Tutsis.

  18. Incognito 18
    3 December 2017 at 8:20 pm

    The aim of the game is to manipulate public opinion and manufacture outrage if possible. The tools are planting seeds of doubt & distrust that can remain ‘preserved’ and re-activated at later time when needed.

    It doesn’t matter that DPF made a few mistakes – and even quasi-corrected a few; how grand of him – in his claimed 15 occasions of misleading ‘us’. What matters is that he somehow (…) came up with so many, that he appeared to be spoilt for choice. That will stick with the public more than anything.

    In essence DPF and all the other ‘critics’ of Ms Ghahraman and also of Metiria Turei – unsurprisingly, the same critical voices – are trying to drag them down to the same level, if not lower, as other politicians whom already enjoy a low level of public trust. Unfortunately, I have to say that they seem to be partially successful at this; it dashes any fragile hope we might treasure that there are at least a few people in Parliament that we can trust more than others. Damage done and mission accomplished; DP in action again or should I say still …

  19. Frank Macskasy 19
    3 December 2017 at 8:38 pm

    I’ve been reading the comments on just a few of Farrar’s blogposts., To put it mildly, they seem to be the vitriol from a few dozen deranged right-wingers.

    I recall a couple who attempted some reasoned comment on Golriz Ghahraman – but the majority seemed to be lunatic in the extreme.

    A good hot shower with plenty of disinfectant followed.

    • weka 19.1
      3 December 2017 at 9:01 pm

      I’m grateful for the people that keep an eye on the place and report back. I can’t bring myself to go there.

      • Macro 19.1.1
        3 December 2017 at 9:41 pm

        Nor can I – I think it must be about 8 years ago since I last clicked on any of those sites in error – someone had put a link in, and stupidly I clicked on it.
        I don’t have to visit a sewer to know that it stinks.
        I’ll bet Frank plans not to return for a long time as well. 🙂

        • Frank Macskasy 19.1.1.1
          4 December 2017 at 8:26 pm

          Macro…

          I’ll bet Frank plans not to return for a long time as well. 🙂

          Not unless I have…

          … more penance to do,

          … developed a strong S & M fetish,

          … lost a bet.

          On the other hand, logging on and up-ticking Psycho Milt’s postings is the least we can do…

          • Macro 19.1.1.1.1
            4 December 2017 at 10:07 pm

            Nope! Never to return. I take my guidance from Matt 7:6

            6 Do not give what is holy to dogs or throw your pearls before pigs; otherwise they will trample them under their feet and turn around and tear you to pieces.

            🙂
            I must say I’m in two minds at the reference to dogs – some dogs like the one next door I can control. But the pig reference is highly appropriate. I’ve been thinking about pigs recently wrt this topic and the squealing of pigs when they are afraid has to be heard to be appreciated – and the noise that the rwnj are making over nothing, brings that very much to mind.

    • mary_a 19.2
      4 December 2017 at 1:47 pm

      Keep up the regular cleansing there Frank (19). The contamination should clear in about a week or two!

      • Frank Macskasy 19.2.1
        4 December 2017 at 8:28 pm

        Just got through my first 44 gallon drum of pine-disinfectant, Mary A. I may require gamma irradiation if that doesn’t work. (Though that left Bruce Banner with a few “after effects”, unfortunately…)

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  • The End Of The World.
    Have you been looking out of your window for signs of the apocalypse? Don’t worry, you haven’t been door knocked by a representative of the Brian Tamaki party. They’re probably a bit busy this morning spruiking salvation, or getting ready to march on our parliament, which is closed. No, I’ve ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    7 days ago

  • Climate Town: The Brainwashing Of America's Children
    Climate Town is the YouTube channel of Rollie Williams and a ragtag team of climate communicators, creatives and comedians. They examine climate change in a way that doesn’t make you want to eat a cyanide pill. Get informed about the climate crisis before the weather does it for you. The latest ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 week ago

  • Has There Been External Structural Change?
    A close analysis of the Treasury assessment of the Medium Term in its PREFU 2023 suggests the economy may be entering a new phase. Last week I explained that the forecasts in the just published Treasury Pre-election Economic and Fiscal Update (PREFU 2023) was similar to the May Budget BEFU, ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    1 week ago

  • Another Labour bully
    Back in June, we learned that Kiri Allan was a Parliamentary bully. And now there's another one: Labour MP Shanan Halbert: The Labour Party was alerted to concerns about [Halbert's] alleged behaviour a year ago but because staffers wanted to remain anonymous, no formal process was undertaken [...] The ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 week ago

  • Climate Change: Ignoring our biggest problem
    Its that time in the election season where the status quo parties are busy accusing each other of having fiscal holes in a desperate effort to appear more "responsible" (but not, you understand, by promising to tax wealth or land to give the government the revenue it needs to do ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 week ago

  • JERRY COYNE: A good summary of the mess that is science education in New Zealand
    JERRY COYNE writes –  If you want to see what the government of New Zealand is up to with respect to science education, you can’t do better than listening to this video/slideshow by two exponents of the “we-need-two-knowledge-systems” view. I’ve gotten a lot of scary stuff from Kiwi ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 week ago

  • Good news on the GDP front is accompanied by news of a $5m govt boost for Supercars (but what about ...
    Buzz from the Beehive First, we were treated to the news (from Finance Minister Grant Robertson) that the economy has turned a corner and New Zealand never was in recession.  This was triggered by statistics which showed the economy expanded 0.9 per cent in the June quarter, twice as much as ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 week ago

  • The Scafetta Saga
    It has taken 17 months to get a comment published pointing out the obvious errors in the Scafetta (2022) paper in GRL. Back in March 2022, Nicola Scafetta published a short paper in Geophysical Research Letters (GRL) purporting to show through ‘advanced’ means that ‘all models with ECS > ...
    Real ClimateBy Gavin
    1 week ago

  • Friday's Chorus: Penny wise and pound foolish
    TL;DR: In the middle of a climate emergency and in a city prone to earthquakes, Victoria University of Wellington announced yesterday it would stop teaching geophysics, geographic information science and physical geography to save $22 million a year and repay debt. Climate change damage in Aotearoa this year is already ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago

  • CHRIS TROTTER: Calling the big dog’s bluff
      For nearly thirty years the pundits have been telling the minor parties that they must be good little puppies and let the big dogs decide. The parties with a plurality of the votes cast must be allowed to govern – even if that means ignoring the ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 week ago

  • The electorate swing, Labour limbo and Luxon-Hipkins two-step
     Another poll, another 27 for Labour. It was July the last time one of the reputable TV company polls had Labour's poll percentage starting with a three, so the limbo question is now being asked: how low can you go?It seems such an unlikely question because this doesn't feel like the kind ...
    PunditBy Tim Watkin
    1 week ago

  • A Womance, and a Nomance.
    After the trench warfare of Tuesday night, when the two major parties went head to head, last night was the turn of the minor parties. Hosts Newshub termed it “the Powerbrokers' Debate”.Based on the latest polls the four parties taking part - ACT, the Greens, New Zealand First, and Te ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago

  • New community-level energy projects to support more than 800 Māori households
    Seven 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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Huge boost to Te Tai Tokerau flood resilience
    The 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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Napier’s largest public housing development comes with solar
    The 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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Plan for 3,000 more public homes by 2025 – regions set to benefit
    Regions 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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Immigration settings updates
    Judicial 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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Poroporoaki: Tā Patrick (Patu) Wahanga Hohepa
    Tangi 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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Renewable energy fund to support community resilience
    40 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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • COVID-19 funding returned to Government
    The 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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Appointment of District Court Judge
    Susie 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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Government invests further in Central Hawke’s Bay resilience
    The 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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Govt boost for Hawke’s Bay cyclone waste clean-up
    Another $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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Taupō Supercars revs up with Government support
    The 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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • There is no recession in NZ, economy grows nearly 1 percent in June quarter
    The 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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Highest legal protection for New Zealand’s largest freshwater springs
    The 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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • More support for victims of migrant exploitation
    Temporary 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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Strong export boost as NZ economy turns corner
    An 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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Funding approved for flood resilience work in Te Karaka
    The 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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Further business support for cyclone-affected regions
    The 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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • New maintenance facility at Burnham Military Camp underway
    Defence 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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Foreign Minister to attend United Nations General Assembly
    Foreign 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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Midwives’ pay equity offer reached
    Around 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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • New Zealand provides support to Morocco
    Aotearoa 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. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Government invests in West Coast’s roading resilience
    The 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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Government invests in Greymouth’s future
    The Government has today confirmed a $2 million grant towards the regeneration of Greymouth’s CBD with construction of a new two-level commercial and public facility. “It will include a visitor facility centred around a new library. Additionally, it will include retail outlets on the ground floor, and both outdoor and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Nanaia Mahuta to attend PIF Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
    Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta will attend the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, in Suva, Fiji alongside New Zealand’s regional counterparts. “Aotearoa New Zealand is deeply committed to working with our pacific whanau to strengthen our cooperation, and share ways to combat the challenges facing the Blue Pacific Continent,” ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • PREFU shows no recession, growing economy, more jobs and wages ahead of inflation
    Economy to grow 2.6 percent on average over forecast period Treasury not forecasting a recession Inflation to return to the 1-3 percent target band next year Wages set to grow 4.8 percent a year over forecast period Unemployment to peak below the long-term average Fiscal Rules met - Net debt ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 weeks ago

  • New cancer centre opens in Christchurch
    Prime Minister Chris Hipkins and Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall proudly opened the Canterbury Cancer Centre in Christchurch today. The new facility is the first of its kind and was built with $6.5 million of funding from the Government’s Infrastructure Reference Group scheme for shovel-ready projects allocated in 2020. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 weeks ago

  • Government invests in top of the south’s roading resilience
    $12 million to improve the resilience of roads in the Nelson, Marlborough and Tasman regions Hope Bypass earmarked in draft Government Policy Statement on land transport $127 million invested in the top of the south’s roads since flooding in 2021 and 2022 The Government is investing over $12 million to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 weeks ago

  • New Zealanders continue to support the revitalisation of te reo as we celebrate Te Wiki o te Reo Mā...
    Ko tēnei te wiki e whakanui ana i tō tātou reo rangatira. Ko te wā tuku reo Māori, e whakanuia tahitia ai te reo ahakoa kei hea ake tēnā me tēnā o tātou, ka tū ā te Rātū te 14 o Mahuru, ā te 12 o ngā hāora i te ahiahi. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 weeks ago

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