Doofus of the week – June 3, 2018

Written By: - Date published: 10:14 am, June 3rd, 2018 - 44 comments
Categories: blogs, David Farrar, doofus of the week, dpf, Judith Collins, national, paula bennett, same old national, social media lolz - Tags:

There were three contenders this week.

David Farrar went close with his all out campaign against repeal of the three strike law.

As part of his campaign he has been highlighting prisoners who are on their third strikes. Raw meat to the right wing masses, giving them the chance to froth and spit at how evil some people are and how they should be locked away for ever

For his first post he said this:

Our Prime Minister, Jacinda Arden, and her Justice Minister, Andrew Little, want this man back on the streets so he can continue his career of home invasions and sexual violations of elderly women.

The idea was also used in his post titled “Labour wants to let them all out“.

Of course the claim is utter tosh. Repealing the three strikes law will not result in any criminal gaining their freedom. It will mean that he is sentenced according to conventional methods so that, for instance, he does not get 25 years jail for stealing a piece of pizza.  For the especially evil preventative detention will still be available.  But hopefully a level of proportionality will determine results, not complete arbitrariness.

And so in versions two and three of his meet a second striker posts Farrar amended the language to less incorrectly say that “Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Justice Minister Andrew Little want him out of prison early to continue his lengthy criminal career of seriously harming others.” Again they don’t. They just want a proper judicial process to be conducted. Who knows given how bad these guys’ records are it might be that they may get close to if not the maximum. But to say that early release is Ardern’s and Little’s desire is bollocks.

And it appears that Farrar’s Curia Market Research has recently been commissioned by the Sensible Sentencing Trust to do polling for them.  Interesting …

Judith Collins also made an appearance in this week’s list of finalists, for mistakenly thinking that a two year old photo that I used in this post was current and was evidence that the Police were campaigning for Labour in the Northcote by election.

Glad you are still reading the Standard Judith.

But there can be only one winner this week.  After being the runner up last week Paula Bennett’s response to Peter Gluckman’s report on Housing Corporation’s methamphetamine contamination was the stand out performance this week.

National and Bennett were all over the place.  They did not know, they did know and asked the tough questions but were assured, they were not able to direct Housing Corporation to do anything.  That last claim is especially laughable when you think of the iron fist control National had over the state during the previous nine years.

And it is utter bollocks.  Housing Corp directors are hired and fired by the relevant Minister.  Spending $100 million on a fundamentally flawed policy is more than enough justification to fire and replace them.

Bennett was particularly awful.  She said that an apology and potentially compensation should be provided by Housing Corporation to the wrongly evicted tenants.  But she must have been involved in the decision making which saw English urgently walk back a promise in November 2016 to review the validity of the evictions in 2016.

For thinking the rest of us have no memory, no ability to google and are idiots Paula you are this week’s doofus of the week.

44 comments on “Doofus of the week – June 3, 2018 ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Muttonbird 1
    3 June 2018 at 1:38 pm

    A good choice. It’s amazing Bennett doesn’t win this award every week, but then the right wing is full to the brim with doofuses.

    Farrar has moved into the space once occupied by Cameron Slater. He’s taking money and content from the SST without declaring it on his website. Dirty politics!

  2. Observer Tokoroa 2
    3 June 2018 at 1:42 pm

    National is Sick

    The sustained use of distortion has it’s penalties. Paula Bennett is a major Liability.

    She will be called to account for her actions and neglect when A Commission of Enquiry digs into who gained on the splurge of $100 million – on a Contamination that did not exist.

    Likewise, Bill English will be caught up in explanations too.

    As for Mr Farrar, he seems to be under some mental stress. People are not accepting his ligubrious nonsence now. RNZ Is. But nobody else is.

    You see Farrar knows that if Judges apply the the third stroke for kicking a can down a lane – the prison will have to put up with extra person for many decades. Which clogs up the prison.

    Which. is why judges have not applied the third Strike. Execept once or twice. But Farrar is not very bright. It seems as if he as a very early onset of something. His distortions are increasing. poor fellow.

    • Robert Guyton 2.1
      3 June 2018 at 1:46 pm

      “National is Sick”
      QFT

    • Incognito 2.2
      3 June 2018 at 2:24 pm

      You see Farrar knows that if Judges apply the the third stroke for kicking a can down a lane … [sic]

      As far as I know “kicking a can down a lane” is not a qualifying offence under the Act.

      • babayaga 2.2.1
        3 June 2018 at 3:45 pm

        The ignorance being displayed by some here is astonishing. It’s Angry Andy’s own tag and release dog whistle club at its worst.

        • Liberal Realist 2.2.1.1
          3 June 2018 at 6:05 pm

          The ignorance being displayed by some here is astonishing. It’s Angry Andy’s own tag and release dog whistle club at its worst.

          Care to substantiate your assertion? What is this ignorance you claim is on display by some ‘here’ that is so astonishing?

          Exactly what is this “tag and release dog whistle club” and who is “Angry Andy”?

          • One Anonymous Bloke 2.2.1.1.1
            3 June 2018 at 6:23 pm

            Give the poor dupe a break: at least he’s got the sound and fury down pat.

            • Liberal Realist 2.2.1.1.1.1
              3 June 2018 at 7:18 pm

              They may be a dupe, but poor I highly doubt! Poor in form, intellect, tact, and retort yes indeed.

              On a troll scale of 1-10 I’d rate ‘poor’ ol’ babs maybe a 2.. 3 at a stretch (for at least being consistently rabid).

          • Baba Yaga 2.2.1.1.2
            4 June 2018 at 5:13 pm

            “What is this ignorance you claim is on display by some ‘here’ that is so astonishing?”

            Happy to help out old thing.

            Some examples of the ignorance on display here:

            “Repealing the three strikes law will not result in any criminal gaining their freedom.”

            “It will mean that he is sentenced according to conventional methods so that, for instance, he does not get 25 years jail for stealing a piece of pizza.”

            “:You see Farrar knows that if Judges apply the the third stroke for kicking a can down a lane …”

            There are many more examples.

        • Incognito 2.2.1.2
          3 June 2018 at 7:42 pm

          Being ignorant is neither a shame nor a crime. Wilful ignorance OTOH is a whole different kettle of fish … However, IMO the worst are the ones who aim to keep others ignorant …

        • tracey 2.2.1.3
          5 June 2018 at 2:52 pm

          Are you saying Farrar is correct and the people he describes will either be realeased from prison or not imprisoned at all?

          • Baba Yaga 2.2.1.3.1
            5 June 2018 at 3:48 pm

            I’m saying people don’t get imprisoned for kicking a can down a lane. I’m saying no-one gets 25 years for stealing a piece of pizza. I’m saying many commenting here have zero idea of what Labour’s catch and release will actually mean to our communities. And yes I applaud Farrar for publishing each day the profile of another steaming ratbag.

    • babayaga 2.3
      3 June 2018 at 3:44 pm

      You can learn more about the three strikes law at https://www.justice.govt.nz/justice-sector-policy/research-data/justice-statistics/three-strikes-statistics/.

      And about public opinion on this issue at http://sst.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Three-Strikes-Poll-Results-March-2018.pdf.

      Perhaps before you label someone you disagree with ‘not very bright’ and ‘under mental distress’ you should do some homework of your own.

      • adam 2.3.1
        3 June 2018 at 8:30 pm

        Dumb, dumb, dumb…

        It’s the return of the illogical rwnj from the collective of hate. babyaga, repeating lies to feel better. Making stuff up, because staying on point is too hard.

        Here the deal. Paula Bennett has a higher IQ than babyaga – a hard feat, for even snail’s have been streaming past her the last few day.

        Who cares if you think the hate crowd thinks three strikes is a good law. It’s not, and we are right – so get over yourself.

        Quite simply it’s getting beyond insulting putting up links to the front organisation for private prison. None of the research outside what the corporate prisons want, backs three strikes laws. In other words, I’m over you being duped, and pushing that lie you have consumed ,on me, and others.

        I’d link to something intelligent, but I’m afraid babyaga you would let your ignorance win, and not read it. Instead I’ll live with your next lie, and attempt to make shit up – rather than engage with logic, reason and rational debate.

        • Baba Yaga 2.3.1.1
          4 June 2018 at 5:14 pm

          So you reply to two very clear pieces of evidence that support my opinion with an adhominem rant. The lefties will love you.

          • adam 2.3.1.1.1
            4 June 2018 at 9:18 pm

            Oh look lack of intelligent life does what is predicted, who would have thought it…

    • Marcus Morris 2.4
      3 June 2018 at 5:00 pm

      Whenever Farrar is on The Panel I switch to the concert programme. There is nowhere else to go. He is a self confessed Party National apologist and cheer leader. He should not be allowed on the programme.

    • tracey 2.5
      5 June 2018 at 2:51 pm

      Farrar is not under mental stress he is following the money. SST is next on the payroll. Facts dont matter to Mr Farrar but the cheques do.

  3. JustMe 3
    3 June 2018 at 3:01 pm

    The entire NZ National Party has made itself look like a major joke over a long period of time.
    To date we have heard of Judith Collins having a go at Phil Tyford over ‘hearsay’. Now how crazy is that of an irrational National Party politician? That is Collins carried on like an idiot over saying Phil was caught standing up on a plane.
    Quite honestly it does look like Judith’s ‘priorities’ are obviously misplaced and edging on pure insanity on her part.
    Paula Bennett credits a mention because she would have known the Meth testing Witch-hunt was a myth but there was “Diddly-squat” from her the WHOLE TIME she was the Social Welfare Minister.
    It is likely some organisations with perhaps close National Party links made alot of money out of the NZ taxpayers during the Meth-obsession witch-hunt. But we are unlikely to find out who has made alot of money out of it due to the right to privacy of individuals.
    Mind you Paula Bennett didn’t seem to mind making beneficiaries names who criticised the past National government public news to the NZ media. But those who made alot of money out of a “Meth Myth” will not be ever known.
    I doubt one National MP from the previous government will be held accountable for their actions through any court of law let alone Commission of Inquiry. They will not pay a cent in compensation because they deem themselves as being absolute perfection and they are totally incapable of making any mistakes eg evicting people from homes during a housing crisis due to a myth.

    • OnceWasTim 3.1
      3 June 2018 at 3:41 pm

      “But we are unlikely to find out who has made a lot of money out of it due to the right to privacy of individuals.”
      That’s only if ‘officials’ would rather NOT know. A proper inquiry with some forensic auditing of participants in the whole affair could unearth part of the bulsh – i.e. HCNZ.
      Let’s hope Phil T is not completely stupid (which I doubt he is).
      Contracts were entered into, money changed hands, evidence of the flawed ‘soince’ that was relied upon to initiate those contracts is on record, and action/inaction by the responsible Munster is also on record when any timeline is pieced together.

      “Oim layvung”!!!! I’ve got another round of re-ummujing to go through

  4. babayaga 4
    3 June 2018 at 3:36 pm

    “It will mean that he is sentenced according to conventional methods so that, for instance, he does not get 25 years jail for stealing a piece of pizza.”

    1. The offences that qualify for the the ‘three strikes’ are very specific.
    “There are 40 qualifying offences comprising all major violent and sexual offences with a maximum penalty of seven years or greater imprisonment, including murder, attempted murder, manslaughter, wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, sexual violation, abduction, kidnapping, and aggravated robbery.”
    https://www.justice.govt.nz/justice-sector-policy/research-data/justice-statistics/three-strikes-statistics/.
    Stealing a pizza does not qualify.

    2. For subsequent offences, the convicted party serve the maximum penalty for that offence.
    “If that offender is subsequently convicted of another qualifying offence they receive a final warning and, if sentenced to imprisonment, will serve that sentence in full without the possibility of parole.
    “https://www.justice.govt.nz/justice-sector-policy/research-data/justice-statistics/three-strikes-statistics/
    Stealing a pizza does not attract a 25 year sentence.

    • mickysavage 4.1
      3 June 2018 at 4:11 pm

      Stealing a pizza does not qualify.

      Ah but it might. The person involved was convicted of “felony petty theft”.

      Grabbing a piece of pizza from someone and using force could result in a robbery charge which is a three strike offence.

      • Robert Guyton 4.1.1
        3 June 2018 at 4:12 pm

        Australia! Send them to Australia!!
        Let’m rot in Hell!

      • Stunned Mullet 4.1.2
        3 June 2018 at 4:23 pm

        Well I would hope that grabbing Pizza and using force in the manner in the article below would attract a third strike.

        http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/6455148/Parole-denied-for-two-of-Michael-Choys-killers

      • babayaga 4.1.3
        3 June 2018 at 4:24 pm

        1. Stealing a piece of pizza is not a qualifying crime.
        2. Using a more offence (eg grievous bodily harm) while stealing a piece of pizza is not the same as stealing a piece of pizza.
        3. Felony petty theft does not carry a 25 year sentence.

        • mickysavage 4.1.3.1
          3 June 2018 at 4:35 pm

          1. Robbery does not require any harm at all, only force.

          2. The pizza case is an American example of what happens when legislatures pass idiot sentencing laws.

          • chris73 4.1.3.1.1
            3 June 2018 at 4:47 pm

            Are we under any obligation to follow american law?

            • mickysavage 4.1.3.1.1.1
              3 June 2018 at 5:00 pm

              Absolutely not. Nor are we under any obligation to follow idiot American penal policies.

              • chris73 …
                3 June 2018 at 5:05 pm

                So if we can change three strikes to one that gives better results (manifestly unjust) why are you banging on about America (apart from America being the great satan so any change to bring America into the argument can’t be ignored)

                • mickysavage …
                  3 June 2018 at 6:08 pm

                  The pizza case shows the absurdity of the proposition. Why rely on “manifestly unjust”? Why not have a coherent system that takes into effect the seriousness of the offending and the circumstances and background of the offender?

                  • chris73 …
                    3 June 2018 at 8:04 pm

                    I agree, I’d like to see that that as well. A system where the victim is treated at least as well as the criminal, where parole is earned not automatically given and where the judges first act is to protect the people

                • tracey …
                  5 June 2018 at 2:55 pm

                  What do you mean by one strike? Upon sentencing our Judges are required to consider prior offending

              • Paul Campbell …
                3 June 2018 at 5:28 pm

                nor their silly sports metaphors, I always thought it should be “6 balls and it’s over”

  5. NZJester 5
    3 June 2018 at 6:59 pm

    At this stage halfway into the year, how is she also doing on the Doofus of the Year stakes?
    She must be very high up in those stakes right now.
    I’m not sure whether to put my bet in now for her winning that title or Judith.
    I don’t think Simon will be very high at the end of the year as I doubt he will last that long!

  6. Philg 6
    3 June 2018 at 8:54 pm

    Simon is trying hard to raise his profile and keep Judith at bay for the time being. Holding his leadership to account, you could say.

  7. R.P Mcmurphy 7
    4 June 2018 at 9:19 pm

    paula beenit has become manic and megalomanic.
    she suffers from machbarkeitswahhn or fantiasies of omnipotence.
    she refuses to face reality and the result is a very nasty sort of trashing anybody and everything and lashing out.

  8. WILD KATIPO 8
    4 June 2018 at 11:27 pm

    Sweetie, the ‘ Motel Lady’ Bennett.

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    TL;DR: Here’s my pick of top 10 news links elsewhere for Wednesday November 29, including:The early return of interest deductibility for landlords could see rebates paid on previous taxes and the cost increase to $3 billion from National’s initial estimate of $2.1 billion, CTU Economist Craig Renney estimated here last ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago

  • Smokefree Fallout and a High Profile Resignation.
    The day after being sworn in the new cabinet met yesterday, to enjoy their honeymoon phase. You remember, that period after a new government takes power where the country, and the media, are optimistic about them, because they haven’t had a chance to stuff anything about yet.Sadly the nuptials complete ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago

  • As Cabinet revs up, building plans go on hold
    Wellington Council hoardings proclaim its preparations for population growth, but around the country councils are putting things on hold in the absence of clear funding pathways for infrastructure, and despite exploding migrant numbers. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Cabinet meets in earnest today to consider the new Government’s 100-day ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago

  • National takes over infrastructure
    Though New Zealand First may have had ambitions to run the infrastructure portfolios, National would seem to have ended up firmly in control of them.  POLITIK has obtained a private memo to members of Infrastructure NZ yesterday, which shows that the peak organisation for infrastructure sees  National MPs Chris ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    5 days ago

  • At a glance – Evidence for global warming
    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
    5 days ago

  • Who’s Driving The Right-Wing Bus?
    Who’s At The Wheel? The electorate’s message, as aggregated in the polling booths on 14 October, turned out to be a conservative political agenda stronger than anything New Zealand has seen in five decades. In 1975, Bill Rowling was run over by just one bus, with Rob Muldoon at the wheel. In ...
    Bowalley Road
    5 days ago

  • Sanity break
    Cheers to reader Deane for this quote from Breakfast TV today:Chloe Swarbrick to Brook van Velden re the coalition agreement: “... an unhinged grab-bag of hot takes from your drunk uncle at Christmas”Cheers also to actual Prime Minister of a country Christopher Luxon for dorking up his swearing-in vows.But that's enough ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago

  • Sanity break
    Cheers to reader Deane for this quote from Breakfast TV today:Chloe Swarbrick to Brook van Velden re the coalition agreement: “... an unhinged grab-bag of hot takes from your drunk uncle at Christmas”Cheers also to actual Prime Minister of a country Christopher Luxon for dorking up his swearing-in vows.But that's enough ...
    More than a fieldingBy David Slack
    5 days ago

  • National’s murderous smoking policy
    One of the big underlying problems in our political system is the prevalence of short-term thinking, most usually seen in the periodic massive infrastructure failures at a local government level caused by them skimping on maintenance to Keep Rates Low. But the new government has given us a new example, ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago

  • NZ has a chance to rise again as our new government gets spending under control
    New Zealand has  a chance  to  rise  again. Under the  previous  government, the  number of New Zealanders below the poverty line was increasing  year by year. The Luxon-led government  must reverse that trend – and set about stabilising  the  pillars  of the economy. After the  mismanagement  of the outgoing government created   huge ...
    Point of OrderBy tutere44
    5 days ago

  • KARL DU FRESNE: Media and the new government
    Two articles by Karl du Fresne bring media coverage of the new government into considerations.  He writes –    Tuesday, November 28, 2023 The left-wing media needed a line of attack, and they found one The left-wing media pack wasted no time identifying the new government’s weakest point. Seething over ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • PHILIP CRUMP:  Team of rivals – a CEO approach to government leadership
    The work begins Philip Crump wrote this article ahead of the new government being sworn in yesterday – Later today the new National-led coalition government will be sworn in, and the hard work begins. At the core of government will be three men – each a leader ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • Black Friday
    As everyone who watches television or is on the mailing list for any of our major stores will confirm, “Black Friday” has become the longest running commercial extravaganza and celebration in our history. Although its origins are obscure (presumably dreamt up by American salesmen a few years ago), it has ...
    Bryan GouldBy Bryan Gould
    6 days ago

  • In Defense of the Media.
    Yesterday the Ministers in the next government were sworn in by our Governor General. A day of tradition and ceremony, of decorum and respect. Usually.But yesterday Winston Peters, the incoming Deputy Prime Minister, and Foreign Minister, of our nation used it, as he did with the signing of the coalition ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago

  • Top 10 news links at 10 am for Tuesday, Nov 28
    Nicola Willis’ first move was ‘spilling the tea’ on what she called the ‘sobering’ state of the nation’s books, but she had better be able to back that up in the HYEFU. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Here’s my pick of top 10 news links elsewhere at 10 am ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago

  • PT use up but fare increases coming
    Yesterday Auckland Transport were celebrating, as the most recent Sunday was the busiest Sunday they’ve ever had. That’s a great outcome and I’m sure the ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    6 days ago

  • The very opposite of social investment
    Nicola Willis (in blue) at the signing of the coalition agreement, before being sworn in as both Finance Minister and Social Investment Minister. National’s plan to unwind anti-smoking measures will benefit her in the first role, but how does it stack up from a social investment viewpoint? Photo: Lynn Grieveson ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago

  • Giving Tuesday
    For the first time "in history" we decided to jump on the "Giving Tuesday" bandwagon in order to make you aware of the options you have to contribute to our work! Projects supported by Skeptical Science Inc. Skeptical Science Skeptical Science is an all-volunteer organization but ...
    Skeptical Science
    6 days ago

  • Let's open the books with Nicotine Willis
    Let’s say it’s 1984,and there's a dreary little nation at the bottom of the Pacific whose name rhymes with New Zealand,and they've just had an election.Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, will you look at the state of these books we’ve opened,cries the incoming government, will you look at all this mountain ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago

  • Climate Change: Stopping oil
    National is promising to bring back offshore oil and gas drilling. Naturally, the Greens have organised a petition campaign to try and stop them. You should sign it - every little bit helps, and as the struggle over mining conservation land showed, even National can be deterred if enough people ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    6 days ago

  • Don’t accept Human Rights Commission reading of data on Treaty partnership – read the survey fin...
    Wellington is braced for a “massive impact’ from the new government’s cutting public service jobs, The Post somewhat grimly reported today. Expectations of an economic and social jolt are based on the National-Act coalition agreement to cut public service numbers in each government agency in a cost-trimming exercise  “informed by” head ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago

  • The stupidest of stupid reasons
    One of the threats in the National - ACT - NZ First coalition agreements was to extend the term of Parliament to four years, reducing our opportunities to throw a bad government out. The justification? Apparently, the government thinks "elections are expensive". This is the stupidest of stupid reasons for ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    6 days ago

  • A website bereft of buzz
    Buzz from the Beehive The new government was being  sworn in, at time of writing , and when Point of Order checked the Beehive website for the latest ministerial statements and re-visit some of the old ones we drew a blank. We found ….  Nowt. Nothing. Zilch. Not a ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago

  • MICHAEL BASSETT: A new Ministry – at last
    Michael Bassett writes – Like most people, I was getting heartily sick of all the time being wasted over the coalition negotiations. During the first three weeks Winston grinned like a Cheshire cat, certain he’d be needed; Chris Luxon wasted time in lifting the phone to Winston ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • Luxon's Breakfast.
    The Prime Minister elect had his silver fern badge on. He wore it to remind viewers he was supporting New Zealand, that was his team. Despite the fact it made him look like a concierge, or a welcomer in a Koru lounge. Anna Burns-Francis, the Breakfast presenter, asked if he ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago

  • LINDSAY MITCHELL:  Oranga Tamariki faces major upheaval under coalition agreement
     Lindsay Mitchell writes – A hugely significant gain for ACT is somewhat camouflaged by legislative jargon. Under the heading ‘Oranga Tamariki’ ACT’s coalition agreement contains the following item:   Remove Section 7AA from the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989 According to Oranga Tamariki:     “Section ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • BRIAN EASTON:  Peters as Minister
    A previous column looked at Winston Peters biographically. This one takes a closer look at his record as a minister, especially his policy record. Brian Easton writes – 1990-1991: Minister of Māori Affairs. Few remember Ka Awatea as a major document on the future of Māori policy; there is ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    7 days ago

  • Cathrine Dyer's guide to watching COP 28 from the bottom of a warming planet
    Is COP28 largely smoke and mirrors and a plan so cunning, you could pin a tail on it and call it a weasel? Photo: Getty ImagesTL;DR: COP28 kicks off on November 30 and up for negotiation are issues like the role of fossil fuels in the energy transition, contributions to ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    7 days ago

  • Top 10 news links at 10 am for Monday, Nov 27
    PM Elect Christopher Luxon was challenged this morning on whether he would sack Adrian Orr and Andrew Coster.TL;DR: Here’s my pick of top 10 news links elsewhere at 10 am on Monday November 27, including:Signs councils are putting planning and capital spending on hold, given a lack of clear guidance ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    7 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell on the new government’s policies of yesteryear
    This column expands on a Werewolf column published by Scoop on Friday Routinely, Winston Peters is described as the kingmaker who gets to decide when the centre right or the centre-left has a turn at running this country. He also plays a less heralded but equally important role as the ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    7 days ago

  • The New Government’s Agreements
    Last Friday, almost six weeks after election day, National finally came to an agreement with ACT and NZ First to form a government. They also released the agreements between each party and looking through them, here are the things I thought were the most interesting (and often concerning) from the. ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    7 days ago

  • How many smokers will die to fund the tax cuts?
    Maori and Pasifika smoking rates are already over twice the ‘all adult’ rate. Now the revenue that generates will be used to fund National’s tax cuts. Photo: Getty ImagesTL;DR: The devil is always in the detail and it emerged over the weekend from the guts of the policy agreements National ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    7 days ago

  • How the culture will change in the Beehive
    Perhaps the biggest change that will come to the Beehive as the new government settles in will be a fundamental culture change. The era of endless consultation will be over. This looks like a government that knows what it wants to do, and that means it knows what outcomes ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    7 days ago

  • No More Winnie Blues.
    So what do you think of the coalition’s decision to cancel Smokefree measures intended to stop young people, including an over representation of Māori, from taking up smoking? Enabling them to use the tax revenue to give other people a tax cut?David Cormack summed it up well:It seems not only ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago

  • 2023 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #47
    A chronological listing of news and opinion articles posted on the Skeptical Science  Facebook Page during the past week: Sun, Nov 19, 2023 thru Sat, Nov 25, 2023.  Story of the Week World stands on frontline of disaster at Cop28, says UN climate chief  Exclusive: Simon Stiell says leaders must ‘stop ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 week ago

  • Some of it is mad, some of it is bad and some of it is clearly the work of people who are dangerous ...
    On announcement morning my mate texted:Typical of this cut-price, fake-deal government to announce itself on Black Friday.What a deal. We lose Kim Hill, we gain an empty, jargonising prime minister, a belligerent conspiracist, and a heartless Ayn Rand fanboy. One door closes, another gets slammed repeatedly in your face.It seems pretty ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 week ago

  • “Revolution” is the threat as the Māori Party smarts at coalition government’s Treaty directi...
    Buzz from the Beehive Having found no fresh announcements on the government’s official website, Point of Order turned today to Scoop’s Latest Parliament Headlines  for its buzz. This provided us with evidence that the Māori Party has been soured by the the coalition agreement announced yesterday by the new PM. “Soured” ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 week ago

  • The Good, the Bad, and the even Worse.
    Yesterday the trio that will lead our country unveiled their vision for New Zealand.Seymour looking surprisingly statesmanlike, refusing to rise to barbs about his previous comments on Winston Peters. Almost as if they had just been slapstick for the crowd.Winston was mostly focussed on settling scores with the media, making ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago

  • When it Comes to Palestine – Free Speech is Under Threat
    Hi,Thanks for getting amongst Mister Organ on digital — thanks to you, we hit the #1 doc spot on iTunes this week. This response goes a long way to helping us break even.I feel good about that. Other things — not so much.New Zealand finally has a new government, and ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    1 week ago

  • Thank you Captain Luxon. Was that a landing, or were we shot down?
    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.Also in More Than A FeildingFriday The unboxing And so this is Friday and what have we gone and done to ourselves?In the same way that a Christmas present can look lovely under the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 week ago

  • New Zealand welcomes European Parliament vote on the NZ-EU Free Trade Agreement
    A significant milestone in ratifying the NZ-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) was reached last night, with 524 of the 705 member European Parliament voting in favour to approve the agreement. “I’m delighted to hear of the successful vote to approve the NZ-EU FTA in the European Parliament overnight. This is ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Further humanitarian support for Gaza, the West Bank and Israel
    The Government is contributing a further $5 million to support the response to urgent humanitarian needs in Gaza, the West Bank and Israel, bringing New Zealand’s total contribution to the humanitarian response so far to $10 million. “New Zealand is deeply saddened by the loss of civilian life and the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

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