Dirty Filthy Red Herring

Written By: - Date published: 10:54 am, September 1st, 2014 - 105 comments
Categories: john key, Judith Collins, Media - Tags: , ,

So Judith Collins is gone. But she’s gone on the flimsy basis that Cameron Slater mentioned her in an email. She isn’t gone because of any revelations contained in Nicky Hagers’ book. I’m picking that Cameron Slater was indeed just ‘talking up a big game’ and leveraging off her name in that email. In other words, I’m picking that Collins had bugger all to do with any campaign against Adam Feeley, and that and all the Hotchin stuff was ‘Whale’ and ‘Cactus’ essentially ‘freelancing’. And I’m picking that Key knows that.

So now Key runs some inquiry. Collins is vindicated. Key gets to suggest that as Collins didn’t do ‘a’ as claimed in an email by Cameron Slater, then it follows that Collins also did not do ‘b’, ‘c’ or ‘d’ as claimed on the basis of other emails from the same Cameron Slater. In other words, he gets a shot at reinforcing any doubt he has already cast with regards the substance of the allegations in ‘Dirty Politics’

I don’t think it will work. But even so, Key gets to slip off the hook and  National get to improve their re-election prospects to the extent that any distractions to do with Collins or who-ever get pursued.  So I find myself hoping that people and media stay focussed and don’t go off chasing filthy red herrings. The big fish is sitting ‘over there’. And the big fish only gets snagged by dint of the revelations around the release of that IOA on Goff. And that relies on the extent to which the substantive revelations in Hagers book are pursued and followed through on.

105 comments on “Dirty Filthy Red Herring ”

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  1. Tracey 1
    1 September 2014 at 10:59 am

    I agree.

    He also has iain rennie saying collins was always positive about feeley.

    Key is only do an enquiry on this narrow point cos he knows the deck is stacked in his favour.

    Leaking a name for public bullying, and the rachel pullar stuff, knowing police evidence was being wrongly released and doing nothung, are much bigger things

    • weka 1.1
      1 September 2014 at 11:05 am

      Mike Williams, fwiw, said this morning that convention or rules (he was unclear) dictate that the govt can’t do anything at this time without support from the other parties (something like that), and thus Key would need to run an inquiry that the opposition agreed to. Does that make any kind of sense?

      • Lanthanide 1.1.1
        1 September 2014 at 11:08 am

        Mai Chen said pretty much the same thing on MR.

        Actually she thinks it should wait until after the election, but if it is to be done now, then it should be at arms length from the government which means a Royal Commission, because any other type of inquiry would allow the government to sack the person carrying it out, as well as set the terms of reference.

        • disturbed 1.1.1.1
          1 September 2014 at 12:15 pm

          Yes Mai Chen said all that to a tee, and a totally independent Judge should be overseeing the while process, and judiciary must be used to mange the event correctly. ( a royal commission enquiry) .

      • Tracey 1.1.2
        1 September 2014 at 11:31 am

        Yes. And it is unheard of to cobble together terms of reference in two days.

        • Kiwiri 1.1.2.1
          1 September 2014 at 11:54 am

          It is just plainly wrong and deeply repugnant to engineer a stunt by instigating an inquiry when we are 2 days away from the start of advance voting and only14 working days to go before Polling Day.

          This far in during the Pre-Election Period (we are almost on the eve of the voting period!!!) and a political party in government is using public officials to set up a ruse to exculpate the party’s politicians?

          This is just so very very wrong.

        • David H 1.1.2.2
          1 September 2014 at 12:27 pm

          Looks like anything that can be done to bury this, is being done. Unfortunately I have no faith in the MSM. They will just be like little puppies wanting a pat on the head for doing a good job.

  2. Lanthanide 2
    1 September 2014 at 11:01 am

    “I’m picking that Collins had bugger all to do with any campaign against Adam Feeley”

    Stuff.co.nz is reporting that Collins released an OIA to embarrass Feeley in record time of 2 days. http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/10444702/Judith-Collins-office-made-haste-on-OIA

    Definitely smoke here.

    Dimpost has an article on it: http://dimpost.wordpress.com/2014/09/01/new-shit-has-come-to-light/

    • weka 2.1
      1 September 2014 at 11:34 am

      “Definitely smoke here.”

      I agree, and I think Bill is right too. The focus needs to be kept on Key, as PM. So everything about the SFO issue needs to be brought back to him. And reminding everyone about the SIS issue.

    • David H 2.2
      1 September 2014 at 12:31 pm

      I don’t think she had much to do with the campaign. But she is definitely complicit in the early release of the OIA’s.

      • Lanthanide 2.2.1
        1 September 2014 at 12:46 pm

        Being aware of the campaign, and then expediting the release of something that would embarrass him, when she is the minister in charge, makes her part of the campaign.

  3. Anne 3
    1 September 2014 at 11:02 am

    The Jackal has it sussed – see in Other Posts column.

    • Tracey 3.1
      1 September 2014 at 11:55 am

      Cant disagree with that column Anne

    • Bill 3.2
      1 September 2014 at 12:42 pm

      If that was the correct post I just read, I’d have to disagree with where attempts are made to tie what Cactus and Whale were doing to Collins and Key. As I say in the post, in this instance they were acting alone (so far, that’s confirmed by the latest ‘whaledump’) and not as a part of the PM offices’ smear team or any smear/black ops connected to Nat Party stuff.

      That can’t be emphasised enough insofar as this whole pile of shit is being put out there to vindicate Collins and undermine allegations made in Hagers’ ‘Dirty Politics’.

      • Tracey 3.2.1
        1 September 2014 at 1:01 pm

        But the point is Bill, Key has not moved to distance himself from the kind of behaviour slater and odgers indulge in. Thats tacit approval. From a PM! its more than unseemly.

      • weka 3.2.2
        1 September 2014 at 1:09 pm

        “As I say in the post, in this instance they were acting alone (so far, that’s confirmed by the latest ‘whaledump’) and not as a part of the PM offices’ smear team or any smear/black ops connected to Nat Party stuff.”

        Are you suggesting that there should be no investigation into Collins’ involvement (or non-involvement)? Are you that sure? Why?

        • Bill 3.2.2.1
          1 September 2014 at 1:47 pm

          Yes, I’m that sure. Call it a hunch. Have the investigation though. But be aware that it’s ‘a have’ in relation to any National Party involvement (there is none) and a ploy to make them look kinda okay in the public eye. And see that scurrilous Hager bloke…?

  4. Kat 4
    1 September 2014 at 11:05 am

    Red Herring in this instance is another description for subverting the course of justice. John Key et al should be held accountable under section 116 of the Crimes ACT.

    Cunliffe is correct in proposing the ninth floor be treated as a crime scene.

  5. just saying 5
    1 September 2014 at 11:07 am

    Yeah,
    I think it highly likely that Cactus Kate was being supremely loyal to the right in handing over that email. She didn’t want to do more damage. I think this is a clever stunt. I’d love to be proved wrong.
    I think this gambit of Slater’s to complain about Key to the Privacy commissioner is also damage control for the interests of the right. Make it look like he’s gunning for th PM, but lo – no new evidence comes to light.

    Don’t know what the hell is going on with Hooten though.
    He was on the verge of tears in his rant yesterday and it’s almost impossible to feign that kind of emotion.

    I agree that the left needs to keep its eye on the ball and guard against being manipulated.

    • weka 5.1
      1 September 2014 at 11:30 am

      “He was on the verge of tears in his rant yesterday and it’s almost impossible to feign that kind of emotion.”

      Except where you believe your own bullshit. Hooton, master at mixing his spin with enough truth to seem credible.

      • just saying 5.1.1
        1 September 2014 at 11:35 am

        I have a comment in moderation which says much the same thing, Weka.
        I don’t know why I’m going into moderation so frequently. I’m trying to be more “regular” in my punctuation.

        • Lanthanide 5.1.1.1
          1 September 2014 at 11:57 am

          That punctuation problem is supposed to be fixed.

        • Tracey 5.1.1.2
          1 September 2014 at 12:01 pm

          Did you misspell hooton, that puts you into moderation

        • Kiwiri 5.1.1.3
          1 September 2014 at 12:03 pm

          Yeah, limit your punctuated diet and you will have more regular vowel motion on The Standard.

          (ok, this is baaad [dot] [dot] [dot] [dot])

          • weka 5.1.1.3.1
            1 September 2014 at 1:10 pm

            Punctuation bug is fixed. More likely it’s just the regular kind of random moderation (ie not related to content), or mispelling Hooton’s name.

      • disturbed 5.1.2
        1 September 2014 at 12:26 pm

        Hooten Had me fooled.

  6. Tel 6
    1 September 2014 at 11:11 am

    I agree. This entire past weekend has stunk of damage control the moment Key opened his mouth on Saturday morning. Anyone, especially journalists who buys into a “leaked” email (out of the ninth floor of the Beehive?) should consider a new career taking orders at a drive through fast food joint.

    • Tracey 6.1
      1 September 2014 at 11:33 am

      Bear in mind the prime ministers office got odgers email on wednesday. Key didnt “see” it til friday… But joyce was awol last week, strategising?

      At some point key is either a liar or incredibly derelict when it comes to what happens at the prime ministers office. He cant have it both ways.

      • yeshe 6.1.1
        1 September 2014 at 11:56 am

        Joyce is resurrected on TV3 news this morning .. his mouth was moving, so you know the rest !

        • Tracey 6.1.1.1
          1 September 2014 at 12:00 pm

          Thats what made me notice hus total absence from weds last week… I didnt watch him this mrning but expect he bag left blogs and smirked and had to suppress a laugh at some stage

          • karol 6.1.1.1.1
            1 September 2014 at 12:04 pm

            He was just on about how Hager’s book had not disclosed anything of significance – the email that caused Collins to resign had nothing to do with the book. Basically dissing the book, and all about the government being all cool and positive, for the future…. etc, etc.

            • Tracey 6.1.1.1.1.1
              1 September 2014 at 12:07 pm

              Glad i saved myself, sorry for you though.

              Sadly the big flaw is the emails that floored collins are the same players in Hagers book.

              No wonder the right dont want to read it

        • disturbed 6.1.1.2
          1 September 2014 at 12:28 pm

          Glad I didn’t see it he gives me the creeps, remember Grant Robinson/Joyce debate?

      • yeshe 6.1.2
        1 September 2014 at 11:57 am

        Tracey .. I think we only know about Wednesday receipt of email via Hooton and no other source ?

        • Matthew Hooton 6.1.2.1
          1 September 2014 at 12:29 pm

          I never saw it. Just heard a rumour about it

          • tricledrown 6.1.2.1.1
            1 September 2014 at 12:57 pm

            Machiavellian Henchman
            Yeah Right where’s Ansell now!
            You have no connection to ACT or Odgers!
            Matthew you have been caught up in your own Spin
            Nek minute you think Key is up to his Eyeballs
            Now Key has nothing to do with it!
            Shonkey pythons Lying Circus!

          • Tracey 6.1.2.1.2
            1 September 2014 at 1:11 pm

            And repeated it, and did interviews on it…

          • David H 6.1.2.1.3
            1 September 2014 at 3:18 pm

            So as usual Hooton, you spun like a top on the rumour.

    • David H 6.2
      1 September 2014 at 3:17 pm

      Most of the Jonolists used by the MSM need that sort of career change.

  7. karol 7
    1 September 2014 at 11:18 am

    Latest tweets from whaledump:

    First tweet:

    Have you learnt nothing from #DirtyPolitics? @MatthewHootonNZ has no idea what I plan to do. How could he?

    Second tweet:

    There are no rumours. @MatthewHootonNZ made them up to ratfuck Judith Collins. And those reporting his rumours are helping him.

    • just saying 7.1
      1 September 2014 at 11:27 am

      Sounds like confirmation that we are being played yet again.
      Hooten must be a gifted actor. Maybe he’s so used to bullshitting that when he’s in full-swing, he actually believes what he is trying to convey.

      It’s worth remembering that most of the major players in this are deeply authoritarian, and they know better than most where the real power lies. When push comes to shove they must know that any and all utu will be paid back at a very high rate of interest over many years.

    • weka 7.2
      1 September 2014 at 11:32 am

      Do you know what Rawshark is referring to there? A specific statement from Hooton? I haven’t been following Hooton on twitter…

    • Hanswurst 7.3
      1 September 2014 at 11:36 am

      On the face of it, though it’s hard to see how Whaledump could know that for sure. Whaledump’s statement that they had “nothing to do” with the email that was the purported cause of Collins’ sacking doesn’t directly state that they aren’t in possession of said email, but it does very strongly imply it. Assuming that, how can they know what rumours etc. may have been swirling?

      • Lanthanide 7.3.1
        1 September 2014 at 12:00 pm

        If Whaledump had the email, he would have passed it to Nicky Hager (as Nicky believes he received all of the emails un-redacted or edited, not just some of them). If Hager had it, it would have been in his book. Wasn’t in his book, ergo Whaledump doesn’t have it. This gels with the fact that it was Odgers who sent the email to Fairfax. It’s unclear exactly what path it took to reach the PM’s office.

    • emergency mike 7.4
      1 September 2014 at 11:41 am

      Anytime Matthew Hooten says “I’ve been hearing rumours that blah blah,” grab yourself some grains of salt.

  8. ianmac 8
    1 September 2014 at 11:20 am

    Funny that earlier this morning I had sent an email to a friend saying that on reflection, I thought that the Collins/Hanover thing is really just a ploy to find Collins innocent knowing that in this case she will be. She must be furious to be thus used but Key is no fool.
    It may backfire however if the awakened media publish the probable feint.
    Agree with Bill and above comments.

  9. emergency mike 9
    1 September 2014 at 11:53 am

    I recall watching Key announcing her resignation on Saturday. It struck me that he looked oddly upbeat and bouncy and that it didn’t really match the content of what he was saying. It was more like he was announcing some fun new policy.

    One of the Q+A guests (maybe Hooten?) put it well when they said he looked like a guy who’d just been released from a hostage drama.

    • Lanthanide 9.1
      1 September 2014 at 12:02 pm

      Smiling assassin.

      Also I think he was just trying to distance himself from it, make like it was no big deal and wouldn’t affect the election etc.

      • Tracey 9.1.1
        1 September 2014 at 12:16 pm

        and his faux hurt at colmar brunton showing 41% believe he did know about SIS OIA

      • Bill 9.1.2
        1 September 2014 at 12:32 pm

        Lanth. He has nothing to distance himself from in this instance! Neither he nor Collins had anything to do with any of it. What it will do (when it’s done and dusted) is give him a line in attempts to undermine anything and everything alleged in Dirty Politics…y’know?…so he can slip the hook and take off all smiling and waving.

    • Weepus beard 10.1
      1 September 2014 at 12:21 pm

      Shows that money changed hands from Hotchin to Slater and Odgers at some point.

      No surprise that Hotchin would do that and there’s still the line that Slater and Odgers were acting independently from Collins and Key. This is the connection that needs to be made.

      • Bill 10.1.1
        1 September 2014 at 12:50 pm

        Are you suggesting that people waste time seeking a link back to Collins and Key? Why? The whole point of the PM releasing the email pertaining to this, and Collins being so enthusiastic for an enquiry, is because there is no link.

        So…names cleared, people rehabilitated and Hager (or so the hope must be) discredited by extension.

        • weka 10.1.1.1
          1 September 2014 at 1:02 pm

          Key is repsonsible for the culture that allowed this to happen. I’m still not convinced that Collins had no involvement.

        • Weepus beard 10.1.1.2
          1 September 2014 at 1:06 pm

          I don’t think it’s a waste of time to try to find out the truth, whatever that might be. There might not be any direct involvement by Collins but if it can be shown she knew of the operation that would be damning evidence that this government is negligent and dangerous.

        • geoff 10.1.1.3
          1 September 2014 at 8:45 pm

          Bill, why do you give Key so much credit?

          He’s handled it badly and winged it and making massive tactical errors all the way.

          I personally think he is grasping for any straw he can, buying anytime he can to get a breath before this epic kharmic shitstorm completely buries him.

    • Bill 10.3
      1 September 2014 at 12:26 pm

      Thanks for that karol. Just had a quick look through for any mention of Judith Collins.
      Surprisingly (sarc) …nothing, nada and zip.

      • BM 10.3.1
        1 September 2014 at 12:38 pm

        You sound disappointed.

        Nothing surprising about Slater though, stunned that Odgers would bother wasting her time in all this nonsense.

        • Bill 10.3.1.1
          1 September 2014 at 12:44 pm

          Why would I be disappointed? Did you read my post or just go straight to sticking your hand down your excited keyboard pants?

        • Tracey 10.3.1.2
          1 September 2014 at 1:05 pm

          And yet you continue to visit his site, read and regurgitate. What a guy BM

          • BM 10.3.1.2.1
            1 September 2014 at 1:15 pm

            I read his site, the guy’s a complete fuck wit though.

            Slater has no shame, I reckon he would pimp out the lord of Darkness if his lordship paid enough.

            Not a lot of ethics there.

            • Tracey 10.3.1.2.1.1
              1 September 2014 at 1:18 pm

              And so you enable him and provide him with clicks to generate revenue. Grow a pair BM

        • tricledrown 10.3.1.3
          1 September 2014 at 1:29 pm

          Bygone Menace!
          sounds like you have accepted that Nactional and its cronies have been caught red handed!
          Key Slater Odgers may not be able to travel overseas soon as convictions may stop them gaining entry to Hawaii HongKong etc!
          Maybe that’s why Slater shot through Israel final overseas trip!

    • Tracey 10.4
      1 September 2014 at 12:37 pm

      In the first file (hanover is this it) is “Dad” a reference to doug graham or john slater, I wonder.

      I cant see anything exciting amongst these.

      John Slater was responsible for bringing Key into politics, is that right?

      • ianmac 10.4.1
        1 September 2014 at 4:44 pm

        Tracey, I believe it was the dreaded Michele Boag who organised the cull of National MPs in the early 2000s and parachuted Key into his safe electorate seat – I think.

        • Colonial Viper 10.4.1.1
          2 September 2014 at 1:08 am

          Sounds right. And who also organised it so that English would be a total fail at the 2002 election – goneburger.

  11. Tom Gould 11
    1 September 2014 at 12:20 pm

    Was I the only one to hear on National Radio comments by Hooten suggesting the PM’s office tried to get his company banned from undertaking a contract with CERA in Christchurch? Meddling directly in a commercial government contract because they had a snitch on the company boss? Is it just me, or is this a really serious matter? Or is this kind of behaviour just ‘how they roll’ in the Key administration?

    • dv 11.1
      1 September 2014 at 1:06 pm

      Yes That sounds like what I heard too.

      • weka 11.1.1
        1 September 2014 at 1:43 pm

        Yeah Hooton is on a bit of a mission at the moment. There’s more detail in the radiolive session from yesterday (link is in yesterday’s Open Mike I think). It’s not just the CERA one, there are others too apparently. Hard to know what Hooton’s play here is exactly, but I agree that on the face of it it’s a very serious accusation.

        • emergency mike 11.1.1.1
          1 September 2014 at 1:54 pm

          In spite of it all he’s still saying that National is a better choice for govt than Lab/Greens, and the Key is a good PM but he’s handled this badly. Which makes about zero sense to me.

          It’s almost like he’s positioning himself to enter politics. New ACT leader? Or he’s just spinning himself hard as having nothing to do with these shameful events even though his fingerprints are in it.

          • weka 11.1.1.1.1
            1 September 2014 at 5:42 pm

            “Which makes about zero sense to”

            Probably because it’s complete nonsense 😉

            Hooton is having a crisis of faith. He probably does believe in some level of ethics, and he obviously is a staunch rightie, but he now finds that he has no-one to vote for because all the right wing parties are ethic-less.

            • Matthew Hooton 11.1.1.1.1.1
              1 September 2014 at 8:28 pm

              You are in interesting company weka. The Prime Minister also told the press gallery today that I am lying and that I have personal problems. I issued this press statement in response:http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1409/S00028/personal-statement-by-matthew-hooton.htm
              I think the PM was referring to my decision to stop drinking two weeks ago. I will at least have an interesting story at CADS tomorrow!

              • geoff …
                1 September 2014 at 8:57 pm

                It’s certainly making for interesting listening, Matthew.

                What do you think of the use of Whaleoil, et al, by Key and his embracing the two track style politics that Lusk outlined?

                Do you think it is morally unacceptable or are you ok with this ‘anything goes’ system that National have created?

              • One Anonymous Bloke …
                1 September 2014 at 9:22 pm

                Do you think the National Party is going to let you come in from the cold or something Matthew?

                Reminds me of the story of the wannabe gang prospect. He asks if he can go in the pad and is told he has to pass the initiation first: he has to climb in a barrel of waste oil, which he does: he’s then informed that he’s not coming in the pad with that shit all over him.

                Cheers Matthew. You’re covered in it 😆

                • miravox …
                  1 September 2014 at 10:36 pm

                  Good analogy OAB.

                  Because Matthew sends out an invoice for every opinion he has, we just need to work out who’s paying for the latest utterances and all will make more sense. It could all be a bit of an ACT.

              • geoff …
                1 September 2014 at 9:39 pm

                Ok listening to your bit on Radiolive now, it’s pretty clear you’re standing on your principles. Good on ya.
                Michelle Boag sure is the ultimate political reptile!

                Here’s the link for anyone interested in hearing the most honest, public, political words I’ve heard from any commentator ever.

                http://www.thepaepae.com/matthew-hootons-assertions-re-the-prime-ministers-office/35076/#more-35076

                Cheers Matthew, new found respect for you.

                • blue leopard …
                  1 September 2014 at 10:33 pm

                  NOOOOooooo!

                  Whilst it was very enjoyable to hear Hooton rip into Boag (gee, they are really making Labour’s earlier internal tensions look like child’s play) please take care to be so quick to think Hooton is standing up for principles that you hold.

                  I’ve already shared my thoughts:

                  http://thestandard.org.nz/from-twitter/#comment-877337

                  • geoff …
                    1 September 2014 at 10:46 pm

                    I dont think he is standing up for principles that I hold, I think he is, to a certain extent, standing up for principles that he holds.

                    I dont agree with him, but I don’t put Hooton in the same category as Boag or the Slaters.

                    He is given to emotional outbursts and those have a quality of honesty that I don’t believe is faked. I could be wrong but I don’t think so.

                    • blue leopard …
                      1 September 2014 at 11:07 pm

                      By ‘principles you hold’ I was referring to things like sound democratic principles. Like complete distaste for corruption. It sounded like he didn’t like the corruption initially, yet the issue for him, I believe, is really about jeopardizing National’s chances of winning and some aspect of irritation about being sidelined.

                      After Hooton’s outburst, Boag and Hooton ended up arguing over strategy – not fixing the real corruption.

                    • blue leopard …
                      2 September 2014 at 10:28 am

                      Looks like others have similar reservations to the ones I have.

                      http://thejackalman.blogspot.co.nz/2014/09/matthew-hootons-dirty-tactics.html

                • disturbed …
                  2 September 2014 at 12:21 am

                  Yep, hey Matthew Hooten, can you enlarge on the Steven Joyce interference with your large roading contractor saga? Michelle Boag wouldn’t let you finish.

              • tricledrown …
                1 September 2014 at 10:02 pm

                That would explain some of your manic behaviour!
                Spinning out of control!
                No more beersies with Johnny!
                Brave move to come out no more work for anonymous a/holes!
                AA meetings now time to reexamine how your high flying political spinning is effecting you!
                Maybe a new career for helping political junkies recover from OD’s

              • geoff …
                1 September 2014 at 10:04 pm

                Why do continue to defend John Key though?

                You’re not seeing straight on that one. I think he’s tricked you with the same facade he’s tricked the rest of the country.

              • tricledrown …
                1 September 2014 at 10:34 pm

                Was Hagers book a sobering thought a vector for change!

              • tricledrown …
                1 September 2014 at 11:05 pm

                By the way Matthew now your not drinking it would pay to have a complete physical check up your breathlessness could be the sign of heart failure!
                Their could be a psychological reason for your drinking addiction!
                This is nothing to do with politics but just me reaching out because it takes real guts to come out and say you have given up alcohol!
                Now the real work begins to stay off it!
                I know I was a binge drinker back in the day 24 years ago I gave it away !

    • RedBaronCV 11.3
      1 September 2014 at 7:59 pm

      On the radio live link. He made I think three allegations of beehive meddling in govt procurement contracts and when Michelle Boag said “beehive is too general” he goes”that one was Steven Joyce’s office”.

      The whole hour is unbelievable radio of Mathew Hooten & Michelle Boag having a go at each other and Duncan Garner making about one comment ‘don’t let me interrupt”. Frankly I’ve never heard anything like it.

  12. Tigger 12
    1 September 2014 at 12:25 pm

    Why is Rennie running lines on this? He should not have commented about Collins having a positive view of Feenet – it was for Key to defend her, not Rennie.

    • Once Was Tim 12.1
      1 September 2014 at 8:05 pm

      +1.

      Such is the state of our Public Service leadership. It’s not just PSB that needs a bloody good shakeup, but SSC as well – they’ve been the ‘enablers’ of public service corporatisation and its politicisation and lack of accountability.

  13. blue leopard 13
    1 September 2014 at 1:31 pm

    Great press release from the Greens:

    “A Royal commission of inquiry is the only option for Key, as the other types of inquiries available to him are either established by Cabinet or a Government Minister. This is too close to home.”

    More at:

    https://home.greens.org.nz/press-releases/independent-royal-commission-inquiry-only-option-key

    • David H 13.1
      1 September 2014 at 3:43 pm

      But as usual, TricKey being TricKey, will want to do it his way quick n quiet. Nothing to see here, move along. Backed up by his choir of Hooton Slater and Collins Armstrong Roughan and the rest of the bullshit MSM.

  14. kenny 14
    1 September 2014 at 8:14 pm

    Why did Cathy Odgers send that letter/email to the beehive? And why does Key believe it?

    Why?

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    The allure of sport transcends age, culture, and geographical boundaries. It captivates hearts, ignites passions, and provides unparalleled entertainment. Behind the spectacle, however, lies a fascinating world of financial investment and expenditure. Among the vast array of competitive pursuits, one question looms large: which sport carries the hefty title of ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    4 hours ago

  • Pickleball On the Cusp of Olympic Glory
    Introduction Pickleball, a rapidly growing paddle sport, has captured the hearts and imaginations of millions around the world. Its blend of tennis, badminton, and table tennis elements has made it a favorite among players of all ages and skill levels. As the sport’s popularity continues to surge, the question on ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    4 hours ago

  • The Origin and Evolution of Soccer Unveiling the Genius Behind the World’s Most Popular Sport
    Abstract: Soccer, the global phenomenon captivating millions worldwide, has a rich history that spans centuries. Its origins trace back to ancient civilizations, but the modern version we know and love emerged through a complex interplay of cultural influences and innovations. This article delves into the fascinating journey of soccer’s evolution, ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    4 hours ago

  • How Much to Tint Car Windows A Comprehensive Guide
    Tinting car windows offers numerous benefits, including enhanced privacy, reduced glare, UV protection, and a more stylish look for your vehicle. However, the cost of window tinting can vary significantly depending on several factors. This article provides a comprehensive guide to help you understand how much you can expect to ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    4 hours ago

  • Why Does My Car Smell Like Gas? A Comprehensive Guide to Diagnosing and Fixing the Issue
    The pungent smell of gasoline in your car can be an alarming and potentially dangerous problem. Not only is the odor unpleasant, but it can also indicate a serious issue with your vehicle’s fuel system. In this article, we will explore the various reasons why your car may smell like ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    4 hours ago

  • How to Remove Tree Sap from Car A Comprehensive Guide
    Tree sap can be a sticky, unsightly mess on your car’s exterior. It can be difficult to remove, but with the right techniques and products, you can restore your car to its former glory. Understanding Tree Sap Tree sap is a thick, viscous liquid produced by trees to seal wounds ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    4 hours ago

  • How Much Paint Do You Need to Paint a Car?
    The amount of paint needed to paint a car depends on a number of factors, including the size of the car, the number of coats you plan to apply, and the type of paint you are using. In general, you will need between 1 and 2 gallons of paint for ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    4 hours ago

  • Can You Jump a Car in the Rain? Safety Precautions and Essential Steps
    Jump-starting a car is a common task that can be performed even in adverse weather conditions like rain. However, safety precautions and proper techniques are crucial to avoid potential hazards. This comprehensive guide will provide detailed instructions on how to safely jump a car in the rain, ensuring both your ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    4 hours ago

  • Can taxpayers be confident PIJF cash was spent wisely?
    Graham Adams writes about the $55m media fund — When Patrick Gower was asked by Mike Hosking last week what he would say to the many Newstalk ZB callers who allege the Labour government bribed media with $55 million of taxpayers’ money via the Public Interest Journalism Fund — and ...
    Point of OrderBy gadams1000
    10 hours ago

  • EGU2024 – An intense week of joining sessions virtually
    Note: this blog post has been put together over the course of the week I followed the happenings at the conference virtually. Should recordings of the Great Debates and possibly Union Symposia mentioned below, be released sometime after the conference ends, I'll include links to the ones I participated in. ...
    Skeptical Science
    12 hours ago

  • Submission on “Fast Track Approvals Bill”
    The following was my submission made on the “Fast Track Approvals Bill”. This potential law will give three Ministers unchecked powers, un-paralled since the days of Robert Muldoon’s “Think Big” projects.The submission is written a bit tongue-in-cheek. But it’s irreverent because the FTAB is in itself not worthy of respect. ...
    Frankly SpeakingBy Frank Macskasy
    13 hours ago

  • The Case for a Universal Family Benefit
    One Could Reduce Child Poverty At No Fiscal CostFollowing the Richardson/Shipley 1990 ‘redesign of the welfare state’ – which eliminated the universal Family Benefit and doubled the rate of child poverty – various income supplements for families have been added, the best known being ‘Working for Families’, introduced in 2005. ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    14 hours ago

  • A who’s who of New Zealand’s dodgiest companies
    Submissions on National's corrupt Muldoonist fast-track law are due today (have you submitted?), and just hours before they close, Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop has been forced to release the list of companies he invited to apply. I've spent the last hour going through it in an epic thread of bleats, ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    16 hours ago

  • On Lee’s watch, Economic Development seems to be stuck on scoring points from promoting sporting e...
    Buzz from the Beehive A few days ago, Point of Order suggested the media must be musing “on why Melissa is mute”. Our article reported that people working in the beleaguered media industry have cause to yearn for a minister as busy as Melissa Lee’s ministerial colleagues and we drew ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    17 hours ago

  • New Zealand has never been closed for business
    1. What was The Curse of Jim Bolger?a. Winston Peters b. Soon after shaking his hand, world leaders would mysteriously lose office or shuffle off this mortal coilc. Could never shake off the Mother of All Budgetsd. Dandruff2. True or false? The Chairman of a Kiwi export business has asked the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    18 hours ago

  • Stop the panic – we’ve been here before
    Jack Vowles writes – New Zealand is said to be suffering from ‘serious populist discontent’. An IPSOS MORI survey has reported that we have an increasing preference for strong leaders, think that the economy is rigged toward the rich and powerful, and political elites are ignoring ‘hard-working people’.  ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    21 hours ago

  • Melissa Lee and the media: ending the quest
    Chris Trotter writes –  MELISSA LEE should be deprived of her ministerial warrant. Her handling – or non-handling – of the crisis engulfing the New Zealand news media has been woeful. The fate of New Zealand’s two linear television networks, a question which the Minister of Broadcasting, Communications ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    22 hours ago

  • The Hoon around the week to April 19
    TL;DR: The podcast above features co-hosts and , along with regular guests Robert Patman on Gaza and AUKUS II, and on climate change.The six things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    22 hours ago

  • The ‘Humpty Dumpty’ end result of dismantling our environmental protections
    Policymakers rarely wish to make plain or visible their desire to dismantle environmental policy, least of all to the young. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: Here’s the top five news items of note in climate news for Aotearoa-NZ this week, and a discussion above between Bernard Hickey and The Kākā’s climate correspondent ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    23 hours ago

  • Nicola's Salad Days.
    I like to keep an eye on what’s happening in places like the UK, the US, and over the ditch with our good mates the Aussies. Let’s call them AUKUS, for want of a better collective term. More on that in a bit.It used to be, not long ago, that ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    24 hours ago

  • Study sees climate change baking in 19% lower global income by 2050
    TL;DR: The global economy will be one fifth smaller than it would have otherwise been in 2050 as a result of climate damage, according to a new study by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) and published in the journal Nature. (See more detail and analysis below, and ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    24 hours ago

  • Weekly Roundup 19-April-2024
    It’s Friday again. Here’s some of the things that caught our attention this week. This Week on Greater Auckland On Tuesday Matt covered at the government looking into a long tunnel for Wellington. On Wednesday we ran a post from Oscar Simms on some lessons from Texas. AT’s ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    1 day ago

  • Jack Vowles: Stop the panic – we’ve been here before
    New Zealand is said to be suffering from ‘serious populist discontent’. An IPSOS MORI survey has reported that we have an increasing preference for strong leaders, think that the economy is rigged toward the rich and powerful, and political elites are ignoring ‘hard-working people’.  The data is from February this ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    1 day ago

  • Clearing up confusion (or trying to)
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters is understood to be planning a major speech within the next fortnight to clear up the confusion over whether or not New Zealand might join the AUKUS submarine project. So far, there have been conflicting signals from the Government. RNZ reported the Prime Minister yesterday in ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    1 day ago

  • How to Retrieve Deleted Call Log iPhone Without Computer
    How to Retrieve Deleted Call Log on iPhone Without a Computer: A Step–by–Step Guide Losing your iPhone call history can be frustrating, especially when you need to find a specific number or recall an important conversation. But before you panic, know that there are ways to retrieve deleted call logs on your iPhone, even without a computer. This guide will explore various methods, ranging from simple checks to utilizing iCloud backups and third–party applications. So, let‘s dive in and recover those lost calls! 1. Check Recently Deleted Folder: Apple understands that accidental deletions happen. That‘s why they introduced the “Recently Deleted“ folder for various apps, including the Phone app. This folder acts as a safety net, storing deleted call logs for up to 30 days before permanently erasing them. Here‘s how to check it: Open the Phone app on your iPhone. Tap on the “Recents“ tab at the bottom. Scroll to the top and tap on “Edit“. Select “Show Recently Deleted“. Browse the list to find the call logs you want to recover. Tap on the desired call log and choose “Recover“ to restore it to your call history. 2. Restore from iCloud Backup: If you regularly back up your iPhone to iCloud, you might be able to retrieve your deleted call log from a previous backup. However, keep in mind that this process will restore your entire phone to the state it was in at the time of the backup, potentially erasing any data added since then. Here‘s how to restore from an iCloud backup: Go to Settings > General > Reset. Choose “Erase All Content and Settings“. Follow the on–screen instructions. Your iPhone will restart and show the initial setup screen. Choose “Restore from iCloud Backup“ during the setup process. Select the relevant backup that contains your deleted call log. Wait for the restoration process to complete. 3. Explore Third–Party Apps (with Caution): ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • How to Factory Reset iPhone without Computer: A Comprehensive Guide to Restoring your Device
    Life throws curveballs, and sometimes, those curveballs necessitate wiping your iPhone clean and starting anew. Whether you’re facing persistent software glitches, preparing to sell your device, or simply wanting a fresh start, knowing how to factory reset iPhone without a computer is a valuable skill. While using a computer with ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • How to Call Someone on a Computer: A Guide to Voice and Video Communication in the Digital Age
    Gone are the days when communication was limited to landline phones and physical proximity. Today, computers have become powerful tools for connecting with people across the globe through voice and video calls. But with a plethora of applications and methods available, how to call someone on a computer might seem ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #16 2024
    Open access notables Glacial isostatic adjustment reduces past and future Arctic subsea permafrost, Creel et al., Nature Communications: Sea-level rise submerges terrestrial permafrost in the Arctic, turning it into subsea permafrost. Subsea permafrost underlies ~ 1.8 million km2 of Arctic continental shelf, with thicknesses in places exceeding 700 m. Sea-level variations over glacial-interglacial cycles control ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago

  • Where on a Computer is the Operating System Generally Stored? Delving into the Digital Home of your ...
    The operating system (OS) is the heart and soul of a computer, orchestrating every action and interaction between hardware and software. But have you ever wondered where on a computer is the operating system generally stored? The answer lies in the intricate dance between hardware and software components, particularly within ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • How Many Watts Does a Laptop Use? Understanding Power Consumption and Efficiency
    Laptops have become essential tools for work, entertainment, and communication, offering portability and functionality. However, with rising energy costs and growing environmental concerns, understanding a laptop’s power consumption is more important than ever. So, how many watts does a laptop use? The answer, unfortunately, isn’t straightforward. It depends on several ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • How to Screen Record on a Dell Laptop A Guide to Capturing Your Screen with Ease
    Screen recording has become an essential tool for various purposes, such as creating tutorials, capturing gameplay footage, recording online meetings, or sharing information with others. Fortunately, Dell laptops offer several built-in and external options for screen recording, catering to different needs and preferences. This guide will explore various methods on ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • How Much Does it Cost to Fix a Laptop Screen? Navigating Repair Options and Costs
    A cracked or damaged laptop screen can be a frustrating experience, impacting productivity and enjoyment. Fortunately, laptop screen repair is a common service offered by various repair shops and technicians. However, the cost of fixing a laptop screen can vary significantly depending on several factors. This article delves into the ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • How Long Do Gaming Laptops Last? Demystifying Lifespan and Maximizing Longevity
    Gaming laptops represent a significant investment for passionate gamers, offering portability and powerful performance for immersive gaming experiences. However, a common concern among potential buyers is their lifespan. Unlike desktop PCs, which allow for easier component upgrades, gaming laptops have inherent limitations due to their compact and integrated design. This ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • Climate Change: Turning the tide
    The annual inventory report of New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions has been released, showing that gross emissions have dropped for the third year in a row, to 78.4 million tons: All-told gross emissions have decreased by over 6 million tons since the Zero Carbon Act was passed in 2019. ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 days ago

  • How to Unlock Your Computer A Comprehensive Guide to Regaining Access
    Experiencing a locked computer can be frustrating, especially when you need access to your files and applications urgently. The methods to unlock your computer will vary depending on the specific situation and the type of lock you encounter. This guide will explore various scenarios and provide step-by-step instructions on how ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • Faxing from Your Computer A Modern Guide to Sending Documents Digitally
    While the world has largely transitioned to digital communication, faxing still holds relevance in certain industries and situations. Fortunately, gone are the days of bulky fax machines and dedicated phone lines. Today, you can easily send and receive faxes directly from your computer, offering a convenient and efficient way to ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • Protecting Your Home Computer A Guide to Cyber Awareness
    In our increasingly digital world, home computers have become essential tools for work, communication, entertainment, and more. However, this increased reliance on technology also exposes us to various cyber threats. Understanding these threats and taking proactive steps to protect your home computer is crucial for safeguarding your personal information, finances, ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • Server-Based Computing Powering the Modern Digital Landscape
    In the ever-evolving world of technology, server-based computing has emerged as a cornerstone of modern digital infrastructure. This article delves into the concept of server-based computing, exploring its various forms, benefits, challenges, and its impact on the way we work and interact with technology. Understanding Server-Based Computing: At its core, ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • Vroom vroom go the big red trucks
    The absolute brass neck of this guy.We want more medical doctors, not more spin doctors, Luxon was saying a couple of weeks ago, and now we’re told the guy has seven salaried adults on TikTok duty. Sorry, doing social media. The absolute brass neck of it. The irony that the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago

  • Jones finds $410,000 to help the government muscle in on a spat project
    Buzz from the Beehive Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones relishes spatting and eagerly takes issue with environmentalists who criticise his enthusiasm for resource development. He relishes helping the fishing industry too. And so today, while the media are making much of the latest culling in the public service to ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    2 days ago

  • Again, hate crimes are not necessarily terrorism.
    Having written, taught and worked for the US government on issues involving unconventional warfare and terrorism for 30-odd years, two things irritate me the most when the subject is discussed in public. The first is the Johnny-come-lately academics-turned-media commentators who … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    2 days ago

  • Despair – construction consenting edition
    Eric Crampton writes – Kainga Ora is the government’s house building agency. It’s been building a lot of social housing. Kainga Ora has its own (but independent) consenting authority, Consentium. It’s a neat idea. Rather than have to deal with building consents across each different territorial authority, Kainga Ora ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • Coalition promises – will the Govt keep the commitment to keep Kiwis equal before the law?
    Muriel Newman writes – The Coalition Government says it is moving with speed to deliver campaign promises and reverse the damage done by Labour. One of their key commitments is to “defend the principle that New Zealanders are equal before the law.” To achieve this, they have pledged they “will not advance ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • An impermanent public service is a guarantee of very little else but failure
    Chris Trotter writes –  The absence of anything resembling a fightback from the public servants currently losing their jobs is interesting. State-sector workers’ collective fatalism in the face of Coalition cutbacks indicates a surprisingly broad acceptance of impermanence in the workplace. Fifty years ago, lay-offs in the thousands ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • What happens after the war – Mariupol
    Mariupol, on the Azov Sea coast, was one of the first cities to suffer almost complete destruction after the start of the Ukraine War started in late February 2022. We remember the scenes of absolute destruction of the houses and city structures. The deaths of innocent civilians – many of ...
    Open ParachuteBy Ken
    2 days ago

  • Babies and benefits – no good news
    Lindsay Mitchell writes – Ten years ago, I wrote the following in a Listener column: Every year around one in five new-born babies will be reliant on their caregivers benefit by Christmas. This pattern has persisted from at least 1993. For Maori the number jumps to over one in three.  ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • Should the RBNZ be looking through climate inflation?
    Climate change is expected to generate more and more extreme events, delivering a sort of structural shock to inflation that central banks will have to react to as if they were short-term cyclical issues. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMy pick of the six newsey things to know from Aotearoa’s ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago

  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours, as of 9:16 am on Thursday, April 18 are:Housing: Tauranga residents living in boats, vans RNZ Checkpoint Louise TernouthHousing: Waikato councillor says wastewater plant issues could hold up Sleepyhead building a massive company town Waikato Times Stephen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell on the public sector carnage, and misogyny as terrorism
    It’s a simple deal. We pay taxes in order to finance the social services we want and need. The carnage now occurring across the public sector though, is breaking that contract. Over 3,000 jobs have been lost so far. Many are in crucial areas like Education where the impact of ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    2 days ago

  • Meeting the Master Baiters
    Hi,A friend had their 40th over the weekend and decided to theme it after Curb Your Enthusiasm fashion icon Susie Greene. Captured in my tiny kitchen before I left the house, I ending up evoking a mix of old lesbian and Hillary Clinton — both unintentional.Me vs Hillary ClintonIf you’re ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    2 days ago

  • How extreme was the Earth's temperature in 2023
    This is a re-post from Andrew Dessler at the Climate Brink blog In 2023, the Earth reached temperature levels unprecedented in modern times. Given that, it’s reasonable to ask: What’s going on? There’s been lots of discussions by scientists about whether this is just the normal progression of global warming or if something ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago

  • Backbone, revisited
    The schools are on holiday and the sun is shining in the seaside village and all day long I have been seeing bunches of bikes; Mums, Dads, teens and toddlers chattering, laughing, happy, having a bloody great time together. Cheers, AT, for the bits of lane you’ve added lately around the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago

  • Ministers are not above the law
    Today in our National-led authoritarian nightmare: Shane Jones thinks Ministers should be above the law: New Zealand First MP Shane Jones is accusing the Waitangi Tribunal of over-stepping its mandate by subpoenaing a minister for its urgent hearing on the Oranga Tamariki claim. The tribunal is looking into the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago

  • What’s the outfit you can hear going down the gurgler? Probably it’s David Parker’s Oceans Sec...
    Buzz from the Beehive Point  of Order first heard of the Oceans Secretariat in June 2021, when David Parker (remember him?) announced a multi-agency approach to protecting New Zealand’s marine ecosystems and fisheries. Parker (holding the Environment, and Oceans and Fisheries portfolios) broke the news at the annual Forest & ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago

  • Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Bryce Edwards writes  – Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • Matt Doocey doubles down on trans “healthcare”
    Citizen Science writes –  Last week saw two significant developments in the debate over the treatment of trans-identifying children and young people – the release in Britain of the final report of Dr Hilary Cass’s review into gender healthcare, and here in New Zealand, the news that the ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • A TikTok Prime Minister.
    One night while sleeping in my bed I had a beautiful dreamThat all the people of the world got together on the same wavelengthAnd began helping one anotherNow in this dream, universal love was the theme of the dayPeace and understanding and it happened this wayAfter such an eventful day ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago

  • Texas Lessons
    This is a guest post by Oscar Simms who is a housing activist, volunteer for the Coalition for More Homes, and was the Labour Party candidate for Auckland Central at the last election. ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    3 days ago

  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links at 6:06 am
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours as of 6:06 am on Wednesday, April 17 are:Must read: Secrecy shrouds which projects might be fast-tracked RNZ Farah HancockScoop: Revealed: Luxon has seven staffers working on social media content - partly paid for by taxpayer Newshub ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • Fighting poverty on the holiday highway
    Turning what Labour called the “holiday highway” into a four-lane expressway from Auckland to Whangarei could bring at least an economic benefit of nearly two billion a year for Northland each year. And it could help bring an end to poverty in one of New Zealand’s most deprived regions. The ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    3 days ago

  • Bernard's six-stack of substacks at 6:26 pm
    Tonight’s six-stack includes: launching his substack with a bunch of his previous documentaries, including this 1992 interview with Dame Whina Cooper. and here crew give climate activists plenty to do, including this call to submit against the Fast Track Approvals bill. writes brilliantly here on his substack ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago

  • At a glance – Is the science settled?
    On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
    Skeptical Science
    4 days ago

  • Apposite Quotations.
    How Long Is Long Enough? Gaza under Israeli bombardment, July 2014. This posting is exclusive to Bowalley Road. ...
    Bowalley Road
    4 days ago

  • What’s a life worth now?
    You're in the mall when you hear it: some kind of popping sound in the distance, kids with fireworks, maybe. But then a moment of eerie stillness is followed by more of the fireworks sound and there’s also screaming and shrieking and now here come people running for their lives.Does ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • Howling at the Moon
    Karl du Fresne writes –  There’s a crisis in the news media and the media are blaming it on everyone except themselves. Culpability is being deflected elsewhere – mainly to the hapless Minister of Communications, Melissa Lee, and the big social media platforms that are accused of hoovering ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Newshub is Dead.
    I don’t normally send out two newsletters in a day but I figured I’d say something about… the news. If two newsletters is a bit much then maybe just skip one, I don’t want to overload people. Alternatively if you’d be interested in sometimes receiving multiple, smaller updates from me, ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago

  • Seymour is chuffed about cutting early-learning red tape – but we hear, too, that Jones has loose...
    Buzz from the Beehive David Seymour and Winston Peters today signalled that at least two ministers of the Crown might be in Wellington today. Seymour (as Associate Minister of Education) announced the removal of more red tape, this time to make it easier for new early learning services to be ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. Our political system is suffering from the ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    4 days ago

  • Was Hawkesby entirely wrong?
    David Farrar  writes –  The Broadcasting Standards Authority ruled: Comments by radio host Kate Hawkesby suggesting Māori and Pacific patients were being prioritised for surgery due to their ethnicity were misleading and discriminatory, the Broadcasting Standards Authority has found. It is a fact such patients are prioritised. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • PRC shadow looms as the Solomons head for election
    PRC and its proxies in Solomons have been preparing for these elections for a long time. A lot of money, effort and intelligence have gone into ensuring an outcome that won’t compromise Beijing’s plans. Cleo Paskall writes – On April 17th the Solomon Islands, a country of ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Climate Change: Criminal ecocide
    We are in the middle of a climate crisis. Last year was (again) the hottest year on record. NOAA has just announced another global coral bleaching event. Floods are threatening UK food security. So naturally, Shane Jones wants to make it easier to mine coal: Resources Minister Shane Jones ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago

  • Is saving one minute of a politician's time worth nearly $1 billion?
    Is speeding up the trip to and from Wellington airport by 12 minutes worth spending up more than $10 billion? Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me in the last day to 8:26 am today are:The Lead: Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago

  • Long Tunnel or Long Con?
    Yesterday it was revealed that Transport Minister had asked Waka Kotahi to look at the options for a long tunnel through Wellington. State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    4 days ago

  • $41m to support clean energy in South East Asia
    New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    17 hours ago

  • Minister releases Fast-track stakeholder list
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  • Judicial appointments announced
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  • Education Minister heads to major teaching summit in Singapore
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  • Value of stopbank project proven during cyclone
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  • Anzac commemorations, Türkiye relationship focus of visit
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  • Minister to Europe for OECD meeting, Anzac Day
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  • Comprehensive Partnership the goal for NZ and the Philippines
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  • Government commits $20m to Westport flood protection
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  • Taupō takes pole position
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  • Cost of living support for low-income homeowners
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  • Government backing mussel spat project
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  • Government focused on getting people into work
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  • Clean energy key driver to reducing emissions
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  • Earthquake-prone buildings review brought forward
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  • Thailand and NZ to agree to Strategic Partnership
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  • Government consults on extending coastal permits for ports
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  • School attendance restored as a priority in health advice
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  • Unnecessary bureaucracy cut in oceans sector
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  • Removing red tape to help early learners thrive
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  • McClay reaffirms strong NZ-China trade relationship
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  • Prime Minister Luxon acknowledges legacy of Singapore Prime Minister Lee
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  • PMs Luxon and Lee deepen Singapore-NZ ties
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  • Antarctica New Zealand Board appointments
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  • Finance Minister travels to Washington DC
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  • Pet bonds a win/win for renters and landlords
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  • Long Tunnel for SH1 Wellington being considered
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  • New Zealand condemns Iranian strikes
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  • Huge interest in Government’s infrastructure plans
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  • Health Minister thanks outgoing Health New Zealand Chair
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has today thanked outgoing Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora Chair Dame Karen Poutasi for her service on the Board.   “Dame Karen tendered her resignation as Chair and as a member of the Board today,” says Dr Reti.  “I have asked her to ...
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  • Roads of National Significance planning underway
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  • Navigating an unstable global environment
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  • NZ welcomes Australian Governor-General
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  • Pseudoephedrine back on shelves for Winter
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  • NZ and the US: an ever closer partnership
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  • Joint US and NZ declaration
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  • NZ and US to undertake further practical Pacific cooperation
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