Far right Canadian activist wants to come to New Zealand to insult local communities

Written By: mickysavage - Date published: 12:08 pm, July 6th, 2018 - 292 comments
Categories: Abuse of power, clickbait, Deep stuff, gender, Globalisation, human rights, immigration, International, Politics, scoundrels, sexism - Tags:

Lauren Southern wants to come to New Zealand to give a speech on August 3 which will no doubt insult various communities.

Should we let her in?

She appears to have a certain way of conducting her business as a self confessed journalist and vlogger. She goes places, says really controversial stuff, hopes to pick a fight, claims to be a victim and then leaves.

Her views are pretty extreme. She once said that Adolf Hitler “was just an SJW [social justice warrior] who happened to get freaky amounts of power”.

For instance here she is picking a fight at an anti facist protest in London. It was all filmed in detail.

The overwhelming impression that I received after watching it was that she was only after clicks.

And here she is insulting a group of women protesting against rape culture. Her lack of understanding and sensitivity is mind boggling.

Attempts by some of the participants to educate her were wasted.

She was recently banned from entering the United Kingdom. From the Independent:

Canadian far-right activist Lauren Southern has been detained in Calais and banned from entering the UK.

Ms Southern, who worked for far right Canadian site The Rebel Media, was held by Border Force in Coquelles on Monday.

A Home Office spokesperson told The Independent: “Border Force has the power to refuse entry to an individual if it is considered that his or her presence in the UK is not conducive to the public good.”

Ms Southern, who supported a seaborne mission seeking to hamper the rescue of refugees, claimed British authorities had told her she was “officially banned from UK for racism” after being detained.

“They just locked me out and said ‘au revoir’… Officially banned from UK for ‘racism’.. Doing fine though, all the cool people are being banned anyway,” the ultra-conservative provocateur said on Twitter.

It appears the authorities were heeding warnings given by the anti racism movement. Again from the Independent:

Dr Joe Mulhall, a senior researcher for anti-racism campaign Hope not Hate, raised concerns about Ms Southern’s activism.

“We’ve been watching Lauren Southern for some time, and she has gradually become more and more extreme in her outbursts and associations,” he told The Independent in a statement.

“The decision to refuse her entry came after she distributed racist material in Luton on a recent visit to the UK.

“In our State of Hate 2018 report released earlier this month, we warned that one of the major threats we would witness this year was the linking-up between Stephen Lennon (Tommy Robinson) with North American far-right alternative media personalities such as Southern and the far-right Generation Identity (GI) movement in Europe. This has seen an unholy alliance start to come together particularly over social media but also in the offline space.

The local Muslim community oppose her being granted permission to visit. From Radio New Zealand:

Lauren Southern and Stefan Molyneux are best known for their far-right alternative views on everything from feminism, gender and immigration to Islam.

Earlier this year, Ms Southern was banned by from entering the UK on the grounds of her involvement “in the distribution of racist material in Luton”, according to the BBC.

The Islamic community voiced their opposition to the visit last month.

New Zealand Federation of Islam Associations president Hazim Arafeh said it had written letters to the Immigration Minister, Minister for Ethnic Communities and the Human Rights Commission asking for Lauren Southern to be denied entry.

“[She] abuses her right of freedom of speech. She’s just going to give a talk in which she’s just going to insult all of us,” Mr Arafeh said.

“I don’t think insulting Muslims comes under free speech, that’s an abuse of freedom of speech.

“I’m talking on behalf of 50,000 to 60,000 Muslims in New Zealand who are going to face a very hard time by all the comments she is going to make.”

The proposed venue for her speech is the Bruce Mason Centre in Auckland, an Auckland Council owned venue.

My personal view? Freedom of speech does not require us to let her in to insult local communities. And Auckland Council should cancel her booking.

If you want to do something there is a petition you can sign.

Update: Auckland Council and Phil Goff pulled the booking and the speech has been cancelled.

292 comments on “Far right Canadian activist wants to come to New Zealand to insult local communities ”

Comments are now closed

Ovid 1

6 July 2018 at 12:14 pm

Having been excluded from the UK, Southern fails the good character requirements for entry to NZ. She would need positive approval from the Minister of Immigration to get a visa. So really what the Minister is being asked is to do nothing.
- mickysavage 1.1
  
  6 July 2018 at 12:17 pm
  
  Thanks Ovid. Hopefully this will be an easy decision.
  
  There is the other speaker Stefan Molyneux who may not be caught by this. I have not had a chance to look at his background although judging by his twitter feed he is similar to Southern.
- Baba Yaga 1.2
  
  6 July 2018 at 12:44 pm
  
  The only threat Lauren poses to NZ is from the far left nutbars who will resort to violence to try to disrupt her appearances.
  - Sabine 1.2.1
    
    6 July 2018 at 1:26 pm
    
    how dare people be intolerant of her intolerance. Oh my.
    - Baba Yaga 1.2.1.1
      
      6 July 2018 at 5:28 pm
      
      Indeed. Intolerance is an important part of a society progressing.
  - Tricledrown 1.2.2
    
    6 July 2018 at 2:44 pm
    
    Baby Gaga hopefully you get detained on your next overseas trip.
    - Sanctuary 1.2.2.1
      
      6 July 2018 at 2:52 pm
      
      And waterboarded. It isn’t torture you know, just enhanced interrogation.
      - NZJester 1.2.2.1.1
        
        7 July 2018 at 3:23 pm
        
        It depends on who you and who you do it too. The US helped in the prosecution of foreign nationals who used it against their people listing it as torture in the charges. But when they used it themselves it was suddenly reclassified as enhanced interrogation.
        
        If they let that legal argument fly the next, you will have rapists claiming what they where doing was just enhanced hugging and not rape.
        
        But both are actually also a form of psychological and not just physical torture inflicted on people.
    - Baba Yaga 1.2.2.2
      
      6 July 2018 at 5:27 pm
      
      You wont have long to wait. Off to Vanuatu for a week tomorrow. Watch the papers.
      - woodart 1.2.2.2.1
        
        7 July 2018 at 3:13 pm
        
        dont forget to talk down to the locals….
- Draco T Bastard 1.3
  
  6 July 2018 at 1:37 pm
  
  She seems to fail on 2 of those conditions:
  
  – have ever been removed, excluded or deported from any country.
  – are likely to be a threat to public order
  
  And possibly on:
  
  – are likely to be a risk to the public interest.
  
  Which means that she should be stopped at the gate and told to leave.
  - Gosman 1.3.1
    
    6 July 2018 at 2:28 pm
    
    Why is she likely to be a threat to public order?
    - Draco T Bastard 1.3.1.1
      
      6 July 2018 at 2:30 pm
      
      By increasing hate and divisiveness in society by what she says and does.
      
      BTW, failing on the first means that she can’t come here any way.
      - Gosman 1.3.1.1.1
        
        6 July 2018 at 3:34 pm
        
        I personally find your views hateful and divisive. It doesn’t mean you should be banned from spreading your views around though.
        
        humma 1.3.1.1.1.1
        
        6 July 2018 at 4:50 pm
        
        Yeah I find Draco’s views hateful as well. But i bet Draco does not care about that at all.
        That said, I will protect Draco’s right to spread his hateful views and think the more people speak the better. Hiding speech, as abhorrent as it may be to some, is a recipe for disaster.
        
        Draco T Bastard …
        
        6 July 2018 at 6:24 pm
        
        Care to describe what makes my views hateful?
        
        R.P Mcmurphy …
        
        6 July 2018 at 9:14 pm
        
        thats trumpspeak from the goebbels playbook.
        
        Gosman …
        
        7 July 2018 at 6:38 am
        
        You denigrate a section of society and label them essentially parasites. You call for them to be eliminated. That is hateful in my view.
        
        Draco T Bastard …
        
        7 July 2018 at 11:07 am
        
        You denigrate a section of society and label them essentially parasites.
        
        Capitalists are parasites and calling them what they are isn’t hateful.
        
        You call for them to be eliminated.
        
        Legislated out of existence. The people would still live.
        
        That is hateful in my view.
        
        And your view is meaningless. It has neither logic nor facts to back it up.
        
        David Mac …
        
        7 July 2018 at 2:36 pm
        
        Parasites provide no benefit to their hosts. Without capitalists I’d have no shelter, shoes, food, transport or internet.
        
        I’m quite grateful for Jennian Homes, Hannahs, Watties, Toyota and Slingshot.
        
        How do you fill those needs in your life Draco? Buy their internet and then use it to slag them off. Pay their rent and then once they’re out of earshot name them: “Bludger”. You’re as deep into this capitalist thing as we all are and I guess you aren’t going somewhere else soon.
        
        Parasites and bludgers come in all stripes, dirt poor and filthy rich. The discerning factor is the value of the contribution we make to the society that supports us.
        
        The bone of contention is the subjective nature of value. One man’s asset is another man’s liability.
        
        Draco T Bastard …
        
        7 July 2018 at 5:59 pm
        
        Without capitalists I’d have no shelter, shoes, food, transport or internet.
        
        We had shelter and food long before we had capitalism.
        
        The discerning factor is the value of the contribution we make to the society that supports us.
        
        Capitalists add none at all. They just bludge off of the work of the rest of us.
        
        You’re as deep into this capitalist thing as we all are and I guess you aren’t going somewhere else soon.
        
        It’s impossible to live outside of society. All I can do is try to change it by highlighting how capitalists bludge upon the rest of us and produce poverty.
        
        Andy []
        
        8 July 2018 at 8:30 am
        
        I am a self employed IT contractor. I am therefore a capitalist and a parasite according to you
        
        marty mars …
        
        8 July 2018 at 9:45 am
        
        Draco has spelled it out clearly from his perspective. If you are a capitalist then you are a parasite – not sure why you want to ask rhetorical questions except as a prelude to outrage.
        
        I suppose you may change his mind – lol yeah nah not a hope in hell thank the Gods.
        
        Draco T Bastard …
        
        8 July 2018 at 9:55 pm
        
        I am a self employed IT contractor. I am therefore a capitalist and a parasite according to you
        
        Actually, what you are is an ignoramus.
        
        You’re incorrectly equating capitalist with entrepreneur. As a self-employed person you’re the latter and not necessarily the former.
        
        Now, it’s very easy for an entrepreneur to become a capitalist and thus a parasite. All that they’d need to do is to employ someone else in their business and profit from that person’s work.
        
        Shareholding, the epitome of capitalism, is pure bludging.
        
        Rob …
        
        7 July 2018 at 1:12 pm
        
        Pity we don’t have time travel as these trolls could catch abus to the 1930’s Germany and live their dreams
        
        Paul Campbell 1.3.1.1.1.2
        
        6 July 2018 at 8:29 pm
        
        I think there’s a simple difference NZ residents are guaranteed free speech by the BORA, foreign nazis are not – we don’t have to let them in.
        
        Our own nazis on other hand have every right to make their viewpoints known in public, as do we to show up and tell people what we think of them
        
        WILD KATIPO 1.3.1.1.1.3
        
        6 July 2018 at 10:43 pm
        
        You don’t give a shit about any of that , Gosman.
        
        That woman got her arse kicked in England. You don’t mess with the English , mate – Hitler tried and look what happened to him. And the English are ALL races . Just like the woman who got under her skin.
        
        English pride.
        
        Cockney Rejects- Oi! Oi! Oi! – YouTube
        Video for oi oi oi music you tube▶ 3:19
    - cleangreen 1.3.1.2
      
      7 July 2018 at 2:48 pm
      
      Gosman;
      “is she likely to be a threat to public order?”
      
      It doesnt’ really matter now so I hear the organisers are about to cal off the visit to NZ now.
      
      I beieve in the freedom of speech and that incuded those who often offend me and others.
      
      But they have a human right to speak of their concerns,
      
      I would be happy if she caome to give her views as she is entitled to do and I if offended can speak my mind then also.
      
      Fredom of speech is a human right and was what our fallen solders died to preserve our right to do so.
      
      The people who want to stop her will use “Incitement to imminent lawless action”
      
      But when many folks in Ackland and other places arond NZ marched against TPPA and caused lawlessness by blocking roads interestingly the national Government used the poice to force an end to their freedom of speech and assembly, as they did when many ralliied against Banks in that famouus movement “take back wall street”.
      
      So if she incited public lawless action again cant the government then use the police as they are using it all the time now?
      - Draco T Bastard 1.3.1.2.1
        
        7 July 2018 at 11:43 pm
        
        But when many folks in Ackland and other places arond NZ marched against TPPA and caused lawlessness…
        
        Protesting isn’t lawlessness.
        
        Rioting, on the other hand, is.
        
        From what I’ve seen she’d be attempting to induce rioting.
  - alwyn 1.3.2
    
    6 July 2018 at 4:43 pm
    
    “have ever been removed, excluded or deported from any country.”.
    Do other countries have such draconian conditions as this?
    If they commonly do I guess that Marama Davidson isn’t going to be doing very much travelling in the future.
    Wasn’t she removed from Israel after her trip on the good ship Band of Fools?
    - Draco T Bastard 1.3.2.1
      
      6 July 2018 at 6:31 pm
      
      Do other countries have such draconian conditions as this?
      
      Yes, as a matter of fact – they do. Here’s a reasonably full list of exclusions.
      
      Wasn’t she removed from Israel after her trip on the good ship Band of Fools?
      
      I believe she didn’t even try to enter Israel but Palestine.
      - Muttonbird 1.3.2.1.1
        
        6 July 2018 at 8:49 pm
        
        It’s convenient for Israel apologists to call it Israel when it suits them and Palestine when it suits them.
    - Tricledrown 1.3.2.2
      
      6 July 2018 at 8:43 pm
      
      Alwynger Marama she’s got guts than you will ever have.
      Hitler practiced ethnic cleansing like Netenyahu does.
      He began his war on Jews initially by extraordinary diting Jews to Israel even though his mother was part Jewish.
      The reason why I believe was to bring the Arabs back to his side after the British had promised Palestine to both after ww1.
      Now we have the ghetto like conditions in gaza strip just like Warsaw days.
  - Andy 1.3.3
    
    7 July 2018 at 8:39 pm
    
    But it completely fine for the Canterbury Museum to feature an “art” exhibition displaying a T shirt stating “Jesus is a c@@t”?
    
    How exactly is that advancing society ?
    
    I’m pretty sure it is quite reasonable to question Sharia Law, FGM and “Asian grooming gangs”, but not according to the government and the left
    - Draco T Bastard 1.3.3.1
      
      7 July 2018 at 11:48 pm
      
      But it completely fine for the Canterbury Museum to feature an “art” exhibition displaying a T shirt stating “Jesus is a c@@t”?
      
      Wouldn’t that depend upon context of the art?
      
      I’m pretty sure it is quite reasonable to question Sharia Law, FGM and “Asian grooming gangs”, but not according to the government and the left
      
      It would be the majority of parties in the present government that actually question those things. National, on the other hand, appeared to try to bribe one of those countries that’s hard on Sharia Law to sign an FTA and ignoring all those questions in their pursuit of profit.
- Andy 1.4
  
  6 July 2018 at 4:46 pm
  
  She was held under UK terrorism laws in Calais for running a stall in Luton handing out leaflets claiming “Allah is Gay”
  
  Obviously a serious threat to national security
  - Stuart Munro 1.4.1
    
    7 July 2018 at 3:22 pm
    
    Fomenting religious violence is indeed a threat.
    - Andy 1.4.1.1
      
      7 July 2018 at 3:27 pm
      
      Yes, insulting “The Religion of Peace” could be seen as a threat, as it adherents are likely to kill you
    - Richard Christie 1.4.1.2
      
      9 July 2018 at 11:31 am
      
      Fomenting religious violence is indeed a threat.
      
      It’s just what religions do, it’s part of their DNA. For some reason we seem to tolerate the practice.
Tuppence Shrewsbury 2

6 July 2018 at 12:29 pm

Fighting stupidity and racism with controversy, air time and banning of ideas. Feels like the war on drugs all over again
marty mars 3

6 July 2018 at 12:32 pm

No we don’t need that hater here – got enough of our own.
Gosman 4

6 July 2018 at 12:33 pm

Why is insulting Muslims not included in free speech?
- mickysavage 4.1
  
  6 July 2018 at 12:37 pm
  
  Free speech is not the absolute right to say anything. Besides she is asking for the privilege to come here and I don’t think we should extend that privilege to her.
  - Gosman 4.1.1
    
    6 July 2018 at 12:40 pm
    
    Agreed, incitement to violence isn’t included. However insulting people is generally regarded as free speech otherwise politics would be impossible.
  - Gosman 4.1.2
    
    6 July 2018 at 12:43 pm
    
    I am really interested in exploring this topic MS.
    
    This blog for example contains many insults against people who do not share a particular World view that many here hold. These insults can get quite nasty but we are all adults and this is the internet after all. But if Muslims can’t be insulted then why should anyone be allowed to insult anyone?
    - McFlock 4.1.2.1
      
      6 July 2018 at 1:13 pm
      
      I think “insult” was an extremely polite description.
      
      Either way, the insults here are usually directed at specific individuals or groups that have a choice about their political beliefs, off the top of my head.
      - Gosman 4.1.2.1.1
        
        6 July 2018 at 1:14 pm
        
        Are you stating Muslims don’t have a choice about their particular belief or do you think religious beliefs deserve special protection above political beliefs?
        
        McFlock 4.1.2.1.1.1
        
        6 July 2018 at 1:37 pm
        
        I pretty much get why a lot of people have political beliefs, as I have some of my own. They are generally a matter of choice.
        
        I have no idea why someone would choose one magic book over another. To me, a religious person appears to have as much choice about it as they do their sexuality. If I were afflicted by irrational faith, I fear I might become religious, too. But I don’t think I’ll ever be a tory.
        
        Gosman …
        
        6 July 2018 at 2:18 pm
        
        By stating that you are insulting (some) religious people.
        
        McFlock …
        
        6 July 2018 at 2:38 pm
        
        Do you mean “insult” as in “cause offence”, or “insult” as in “promote a fear of genocide against whites”? Because I might have done the former, but apparently Southern does the latter.
        
        Gosman …
        
        6 July 2018 at 3:53 pm
        
        You can define insult however you like. The fact is if we don’t think people should be insulted for their religious beliefs you’ve failed to do that.
        
        McFlock …
        
        6 July 2018 at 4:22 pm
        
        So, to be clear, your argument in favour of hate speech is an absolute, all-encompassing definition of “insult” so you can argue equivalence between risking lives by blocking rescue ships and calling scripture “magic books”.
        
        Do you have a choice about your religious beliefs?
        
        Gosman []
        
        6 July 2018 at 5:23 pm
        
        Yes you have a choice
        
        McFlock …
        
        6 July 2018 at 5:26 pm
        
        I’m not so sure about that.
        
        I’m really not sure one can avoid having a firm, inexplicable conviction that a particular flavour of religion exists, even if it’s merely a social construct from birth.
        
        It’s certainly make life easier for a lot of people. Might have stopped someone I know from killing themselves, too.
        
        Gosman []
        
        6 July 2018 at 6:17 pm
        
        Unless you think people are born in to a religion (i.e. believe from birth) then it’s a choice.
        
        Baba Yaga …
        
        6 July 2018 at 5:36 pm
        
        “…your argument in favour of hate speech is an absolute, ”
        
        And there it is folks. The shift from discussing an ‘insult’ to introducing this nebulous concept of ‘hate speech’. Beautiful sleight of hand.
        
        McFlock …
        
        6 July 2018 at 5:45 pm
        
        BY, thanks for demonstrating my point.
        
        As I said at the start, “insult” is a very polite term for some of this person’s shenanigans. But because you pricks pretend that regurgitating fears of ethnic “replacement” is the same as calling someone a poo-head, any criticism or sanction might seem remarkably disproportionate.
        
        Gosman []
        
        6 July 2018 at 6:21 pm
        
        The problem for you McFlock is defining hate speech is fine when it is controlled by your side but it inevitably falls in to the hands of the other side
        
        McFlock …
        
        7 July 2018 at 12:10 am
        
        Perils of democracy. You got a better system?
        
        Gosman []
        
        7 July 2018 at 6:54 am
        
        Yes. Ensuring individual rights are codified in constitutional law so they aren’t subject to the vagracies of democratic politics.
        
        McFlock …
        
        7 July 2018 at 6:30 pm
        
        That just means humans write them once, rather than tweaking them when 18th century punctuation puts assault rifles in the street.
        
        Andy …
        
        7 July 2018 at 8:41 pm
        
        Muslims don’t get much of a choice as they might be killed if they leave Islam, but that is OK with the left, apparently
        
        Jenny 4.1.2.1.1.2
        
        6 July 2018 at 2:03 pm
        
        Gosman
        6 July 2018 at 1:14 pm
        Are you stating Muslims don’t have a choice about their particular belief or do you think religious beliefs deserve special protection above political beliefs?
        
        Gosman, you obviously don’t believe in freedom of religion, or freedom from harrassment for practicing the religion of your choice. Therefore you don’t believe in free speech. On those grounds, I would ban you from entering New Zealand.
        
        Gosman …
        
        6 July 2018 at 2:17 pm
        
        Ummm… freedom of religion does not equate with freedom from criticism for belonging to that particular religion.
        
        Do you think freedom of political association means people should be free from criticism for their particular political association?
        
        Tricledrown …
        
        6 July 2018 at 2:49 pm
        
        Gosman the world isn’t as simple as your simple mind.
        Perhaps you could work for Trump and become his ambassador to the middle East.
        
        cleangreen …
        
        7 July 2018 at 3:10 pm
        
        Trckledrown 100% beautiful hit there.
        
        Some of Gossie is right though as we need to draw the lines in public behaviour as now wesee that the Seurity review just released contests that the Chinese ‘have strong influenence in our regions’ now because of their mass imigration and financial investments so so need now to draft rules so these new mass imagagants have a guide to work with.
        
        Sam would apply if we get a large muslim imigration and if the political power shifts to more muslim persuassion we may then find our whole system becomes vastly diffent where women are banned and men are losing hands or fingers for their infidelity to islam.
        
        Scary times for sure here if borders are thrown open.
        
        JohnSelway …
        
        6 July 2018 at 2:56 pm
        
        Freedom of religion doesn’t include the freedom not to be insulted or made fun of. My rights don’t end where your beliefs begin.
        
        If people didn’t want their beliefs made fun of they shouldn’t have such silly beliefs.
        
        Anyway – if there is no reason to deny her entry then let her in and we can mock and protest her silly beliefs
    - Andy 4.1.2.2
      
      6 July 2018 at 4:50 pm
      
      It’s worth noting here that the Canterbury Museum ran an “art” exhibition that featured a Tee Shirt stating “Jesus is a C-Word” and a picture of a Nun pleasuring herself on the other side
      
      Te Papa had an exhibit featuring a Virgin Mary figurine draped in a condom
      
      Most Christians shrug this off, but when someone tries a mild and meek “social experiment” in Luton, a Muslim stronghold, she gets banned from the UK on terrorism charges.
      - McFlock 4.1.2.2.1
        
        6 July 2018 at 5:09 pm
        
        She wasn’t banned on terrorism charges.
        She claimed to have been questioned, at least in part, under the UK Terrorism Act of 2000.
        
        Probably asking her whether she was going to shill for the EDL or NF while she was there.
        
        Andy 4.1.2.2.1.1
        
        6 July 2018 at 6:00 pm
        
        She has no connections with the EDL and I’m not even sure if the National Front still exists
        
        She was questioned at Calais under the auspices of the terrorism act
        
        McFlock …
        
        6 July 2018 at 6:10 pm
        
        Gosh, glad you could clear that up for the border guards. They wouldn’t be doing their jobs if they didn’t ask the question.
        
        And given the nature of some far right extremists, the terrorism act questions might well have been reasonable.
        
        But as it was, she was not “banned from the UK on terrorism charges”. That’s you lot hyping up the importance of someone who was simply barred because they’re a horrible person, not because they’re a suspected terrorist.
  - One Two 4.1.3
    
    6 July 2018 at 1:37 pm
    
    You don’t understand what free speech is then, MS…
    
    It is the absolute right to say anything….
    
    Geez…come on…
    
    Consequences are another conversation…
    - Draco T Bastard 4.1.3.1
      
      6 July 2018 at 1:47 pm
      
      It is the absolute right to say anything…
      
      Nobody has that right:
      
      The most stringent protection of free speech would not protect a man falsely shouting fire in a theater and causing a panic. […] The question in every case is whether the words used are used in such circumstances and are of such a nature as to create a clear and present danger that they will bring about the substantive evils that Congress has a right to prevent.
      
      Consequences are another conversation…
      
      And not just the consequences to her but to our society because of the increased divisiveness that she will cause in it.
      - One Two 4.1.3.1.1
        
        6 July 2018 at 1:56 pm
        
        Every human being has ‘that right’…
        
        Figure it out Draco…seriously…it’s not difficult…
        
        Draco T Bastard 4.1.3.1.1.1
        
        6 July 2018 at 2:07 pm
        
        It’s not difficult.
        
        You’re obviously having difficulty with it though.
        
        There’s a very good reason why we have laws against hate speech. A reason that you fail to understand.
        
        One Two …
        
        6 July 2018 at 2:16 pm
        
        Laws do not take away the ability of any human being to communicate any message they so choose, using whichever natural or man made mechanism they have access to…
        
        Figure it out Draco…
        
        Draco T Bastard …
        
        6 July 2018 at 2:26 pm
        
        Just because they can doesn’t give the right and the law (and basic logic) tells us that there must be limits to what people can say.
        
        Gosman …
        
        6 July 2018 at 2:29 pm
        
        Only in extreme circumstances Draco. I personally find your views dangerous and a threat to my view of public order. Do you want people like me to restrict your rights to spreed you particular viewpoint?
        
        Draco T Bastard …
        
        6 July 2018 at 2:35 pm
        
        I personally find your views dangerous and a threat to my view of public order.
        
        Your view of public order is inconsequential.
        
        Nothing I say here or anywhere else will cause anyone else to riot. Hopefully they’ll get round to changing the political system away from the failed capitalist paradigm.
        
        One Two …
        
        6 July 2018 at 4:32 pm
        
        You’ve figured it out…well done…
        
        But you’re still confused about what ‘rights’ actually are…
        
        Unless in your mind relieving another human being of communication is ‘acceptable’…then you appear to be clueless…
        
        The laws that you seem to believe, are ‘rights’…are nothing of the sort…
        
        Basic logic you say…
        
        Nope…
        
        Draco T Bastard …
        
        6 July 2018 at 6:23 pm
        
        But you’re still confused about what ‘rights’ actually are…
        
        Nope. That would be you.
        
        You still have NFI as to why rights need to be limited.
        
        One Two []
        
        6 July 2018 at 9:56 pm
        
        Rights…limitations…need to have limits…laws…for public safety you say…
        
        That is a completely different discussion…which still does not stop people saying anything they want, using any method they can communicate with…
        
        You can’t forecably stop people talking and communicating by removing their voice box, arms/legs etc, Draco…locked up in a cell miles from another human being…still talking…still speaking freely…free speech can’t be taken from human beings…not by other human beings…impossible without mutilation or death…
        
        It’s your fantasty world where digital currency is not run by private enterprise and ‘law’ can turn a human being into a mute…
        
        Draco T Bastard …
        
        6 July 2018 at 11:02 pm
        
        You can’t forecably stop people talking and communicating by removing their voice box, arms/legs etc,
        
        And where did I say anything like that?
        
        Oh, that’s right, I didn’t.
        
        You’re just making shit up to suit yourself which makes you a troll.
        
        One Two []
        
        6 July 2018 at 11:41 pm
        
        Not you specifically, Draco…the wider context…
        
        Keep believing written words on paper, enforced by actors in costumes can stop human beings communicating any message they so choose…no matter how vile the content…
        
        And every human being you believe can be shut down by ‘laws’ will continue … exactly as they are…
        
        JohnSelway …
        
        7 July 2018 at 8:10 am
        
        Draco’s authoritarian streak slips out again.
        
        Draco T Bastard …
        
        7 July 2018 at 6:15 pm
        
        Keep believing written words on paper, enforced by actors in costumes can stop human beings communicating any message they so choose…no matter how vile the content…
        
        And this is you making shit up. I’ve never said that laws stop people doing shit. In fact, I’ve the exact opposite even on this site (about 10 years ago).
        
        The laws define the rights that people have. That’s all. And broadcasting hate speech isn’t one of them. You go round broadcasting hate speech and you will end up with criminal charges.
        
        Having the ability to broadcast doesn’t give you the right. Same as having a car that can do 320km/h doesn’t give a driver the right to do 320km/h.
        
        Gosman …
        
        6 July 2018 at 2:27 pm
        
        Hate speech should only be banned if there is a specific call to act in a violent or illegal way.
        
        left_forward …
        
        6 July 2018 at 4:09 pm
        
        … and Gosman, violence is the intention of hate speech.
        
        Gosman …
        
        6 July 2018 at 5:25 pm
        
        Incitement to violence is different to hate speech
        
        McFlock …
        
        6 July 2018 at 5:28 pm
        
        Depends on how loud the dogwhistles are.
        
        Gosman []
        
        6 July 2018 at 6:22 pm
        
        Who defines the volume Mcflock?
        
        McFlock …
        
        7 July 2018 at 12:06 am
        
        Courts and the legislature.
      - Baba Yaga 4.1.3.1.2
        
        6 July 2018 at 5:40 pm
        
        Dietrich Bonhoeffer caused increased divisiveness when he opposed the Nazi’s. They dealt with him, didn’t they.
- R.P Mcmurphy 4.2
  
  6 July 2018 at 9:16 pm
  
  if you don tknow that then you are a complete ignoramus.
cricklewood 5

6 July 2018 at 12:37 pm

I say let her in. She can be damned by her own words. Banning her is counter productive and will further entrench bigotry.
- Wensleydale 5.1
  
  6 July 2018 at 1:20 pm
  
  Best plan would be to let her in (free speech, no matter how repugnant), and then send Jeremy Wells, Matt Heath and Mikey Havoc to troll her. No one’s accused of trying to gag professional shit-stirrers, and everyone gets a good laugh out of it. The best weapon against this sort of thing is merciless, concentrated ridicule.
  - UncookedSelachimorpha 5.1.1
    
    6 July 2018 at 8:56 pm
    
    “The best weapon against this sort of thing is merciless, concentrated ridicule.”
    
    100% agree – and making it even funnier – those types of people usually have zero humour about themselves or their own god-awful views.
  - Andy 5.1.2
    
    8 July 2018 at 9:43 am
    
    Light weights from NZ media would have no chance against Southern
    
    At least she gets off her butt and goes to dangerous places unlike our Twitter following media
- Anne 5.2
  
  6 July 2018 at 3:27 pm
  
  I hope she’s banned. It’s a point of victory for these creeps to be able to roam the world spreading hatred and disorder and unfortunately there are too many gullible people around who will follow them. Don’t give them the opportunity in the first place.
  
  Out of curiosity were they invited to come here by anyone and if so by whom?
  - Gosman 5.2.1
    
    6 July 2018 at 3:33 pm
    
    Why do you want to know? Do you want to ban them as well?
    - Anne 5.2.1.1
      
      6 July 2018 at 3:58 pm
      
      Curiosity my dear Gosman. Curiosity.
    - R.P Mcmurphy 5.2.1.2
      
      6 July 2018 at 9:17 pm
      
      you should be banned gossy but they seem to let you hang around though I dont know what for?
  - Andy 5.2.2
    
    6 July 2018 at 4:53 pm
    
    Recently, a Muslim Iman in the UK was discussing whether gays should be thrown off buildings, burned alive, or have a wall dropped on them, or a combination of all three
    
    I don’t recall any action being taken against this gentleman, but if you criticise him, you are guilty of “hate speech”, as we see with Lauren Southern, Tommy Robinson etc
    - Paul Campbell 5.2.2.1
      
      6 July 2018 at 8:35 pm
      
      Sure, I’ll call him on it that’s hate speech … but then so is burning catholics in effigy every November
  - Andy 5.2.3
    
    7 July 2018 at 8:46 pm
    
    The vast majority of YouTube channels of a political bent are conservative or libertarian
    If those on the left want to engage in society they could use the same platform of free speech and open discussion rather than banning people that they disagree with. If their ideas are so repulsive then I’m sure the public would see this
- Ad 5.3
  
  6 July 2018 at 4:48 pm
  
  With you on that one.
  
  We rarely have exposure to the anti-immigration debates occurring worldwide, and it’s time we did.
  
  We should model free speech and strong debate as the alternative to violent conflict, and let the quality of her ideas stand or fall on their merits.
Carolyn_Nth 6

6 July 2018 at 12:41 pm

From the reports it sounds like Southern is just out to get headlines by creating public disorder. I would ban her from entering NZ as she’s likely to cause public disorder.
- Andy 6.1
  
  7 July 2018 at 8:47 pm
  
  Because a bunch of leftist thugs would rock up, that is true
- MikeS 6.2
  
  7 July 2018 at 8:55 pm
  
  “…likely to cause public disorder.”
  
  Rubbish. She’s not even far right like so many have described her she’s just conservative.
  
  I challenge anyone on this site to offer up a concrete example of Lauren Southern saying anything racist or trying to stir up hatred or cause public disorder, etc…
  
  I’m very much left wing economically and some of my thoughts on tax and inequality, etc would probably be considered by some as rabid far left! . But on these sorts of cultural or social issues, the ‘so-called left’ (because I don’t believe it is a majority of the left) shoot themselves in the foot and even drive people to sympathize with opposing views.
  
  Banning someone from speaking simply because you disagree with their views or choose to be offended by what they say is the absolute worst way to go about things. Not only does it make more people seek out the opinions you ban because they want to know what is so bad that it gets banned, but it often creates a backlash when people discover just how tame the banned ideas and opinions actually are.
  
  The ‘left’ likes to talk full throttle about diversity, but not when it comes to diversity of ideas or opinions. Banning people or shutting people down from speaking is pathetically weak and only makes the other side stronger. The best and only way to defeat ideas and opinions you disagree with is to stand up and offer better ones, not to bury your head in the sand and pretend differing ideas don’t exist.
  
  Why anyone would ever be afraid of letting someone with opposing views speak bewilders me. Banning speakers (especially those who aren’t really that offensive, if at all,) is simply pandering to vocal minorities. Of course we’ve (you’ve) been happy to let real hate speech peddlers such as Bilal Phillips and Sheikh Khalid Yasin into the country to pedal their real hate.
  
  Banning speakers because you don’t like their opinions is tyrannical and authoritarian. The Left used to fight heart and soul against tyranny, what is happening to us???
Baba Yaga 7

6 July 2018 at 12:42 pm

“I don’t think insulting Muslims comes under free speech, that’s an abuse of freedom of speech.”

Of course insulting muslims is free speech. Insulting any group is free speech. No-one has a right not to be insulted. No one. Calling for someone to be physically harmed is an abuse of free speech. Calling for an entire people group to be annihilated, now that’s an abuse of free speech (https://www.jihadwatch.org/2017/07/california-imam-calls-on-muslims-to-kill-and-annihilate-jews).
- Gosman 7.1
  
  6 July 2018 at 12:47 pm
  
  Agreed Baba Yaga. Muslims seem to get preferential treatment by some members of the left for some reason. I’m not sure why.
  - Baba Yaga 7.1.1
    
    6 July 2018 at 12:53 pm
    
    http://www.sedaa.org/2017/09/unholy-alliance-why-do-left-wing-americans-support-right-wing-muslims/
  - Stuart Munro 7.1.2
    
    6 July 2018 at 2:28 pm
    
    It’s an old principle, the freedom of religion.
    
    Because corporations are not religious, religious rights are among those RWNJ routinely seek to overthrow. The Left supports their victims.
    - Gosman 7.1.2.1
      
      6 July 2018 at 3:55 pm
      
      It actually isn’t an old principle. In fact until quite recently the majority of the World did not have it. In some places (i.e. most of the Muslim majority World) they still don’t.
      - Stuart Munro 7.1.2.1.1
        
        7 July 2018 at 3:28 pm
        
        It is old – throughout reformation Europe it was acknowledged as a desirable thing long before it was guaranteed by any constitution.
        
        But like most RWNJ you have no idea of the importance of the institutions that you so ignorantly set out to destroy.
  - cleangreen 7.1.3
    
    7 July 2018 at 3:12 pm
    
    True also here.
    “Muslims seem to get preferential treatment by some members of the left for some reason.”
  - Andy 7.1.4
    
    7 July 2018 at 8:49 pm
    
    The prophet Mohammed personally beheaded 600 Jews in one day according to Hadith. Seems an exaggeration but def a role model for young Muslims
PaulMartinson 8

6 July 2018 at 12:44 pm

Lauren Southern and Stefan Molyneux are quite nauseating and provocative in their ideas ..but so what. Why can’t someone be able to express their views in a public setting . They both seem disturbingly obsessed with the concept of ‘white people’ who ever they are. And personally find their science illiterate ideas offensive to the extreme, but would rather see them put in position of having to explain them, than have them silenced this way.
The people we should be most concerned about are those trying to silence views of others that appose their own and have folk banned. That is a very disturbing development in society. It’s as though we have a new form of Sturmabteilung …C21 brown shirts that openly wish to suppress free speech for their own political reasons, and do it with impunity.
- mickysavage 8.1
  
  6 July 2018 at 12:46 pm
  
  She is clearly free to say what she wants. And thanks to the world wide web we have instantaneous access to her thoughts. But we don’t have to let her in to say these things.
  - Gosman 8.1.1
    
    6 July 2018 at 12:48 pm
    
    Who is ‘We’? Are you deciding who I can and can’t listen to in person?
    - mickysavage 8.1.1.1
      
      6 July 2018 at 12:50 pm
      
      New Zealand Inc. There is no absolute right for people to be allowed to come here.
      - Gosman 8.1.1.1.1
        
        6 July 2018 at 1:16 pm
        
        There is no such thing as NZ Inc. You just made the term up. Again do you think YOU have the right to decide who I can listen to in person?
        
        Draco T Bastard 8.1.1.1.1.1
        
        6 July 2018 at 1:52 pm
        
        You can listen to whomever you like.
        
        Our law, as written, doesn’t let you listen to people live in NZ if they’re not of Good Character.
        
        Gosman …
        
        6 July 2018 at 2:20 pm
        
        Do YOU get to decide who is of good character or is there some sort of checklist?
        
        Draco T Bastard …
        
        6 July 2018 at 2:25 pm
        
        There’s a Good Character check list written in to law. She fails on at least two.
        
        marty mars …
        
        6 July 2018 at 3:17 pm
        
        Nice mate. The facts will set him free.
        
        Andy …
        
        7 July 2018 at 8:50 pm
        
        That rules out most of NZ parliament then
        
        Draco T Bastard …
        
        7 July 2018 at 11:39 pm
        
        Every single MP in National in fact.
        
        But they’re already here.
        
        mickysavage 8.1.1.1.1.2
        
        6 July 2018 at 4:26 pm
        
        No but I was hoping that my elected Minister of Immigration who has the right to decide who comes into the country would decide that she should not.
        
        And I was hoping Auckland Council would withdraw the booking and they have.
        
        R.P Mcmurphy 8.1.1.1.1.3
        
        6 July 2018 at 9:19 pm
        
        No John Keys made it up. thank god he sloped off before the lynch mob got him!
      - Andy 8.1.1.1.2
        
        6 July 2018 at 4:54 pm
        
        Ms Southern is a master troll
        
        Banning her from NZ will get her much more publicity. Streisand effect.
        
        Draco T Bastard 8.1.1.1.2.1
        
        6 July 2018 at 6:32 pm
        
        Good – she needs all the exposure she can get.
        
        Perhaps then she’ll understand just how horrible she is.
        
        marty mars …
        
        8 July 2018 at 9:56 am
        
        Yep and hopefully her shit will be seen for what it is – a fly trap.
      - Andy 8.1.1.1.3
        
        7 July 2018 at 2:44 pm
        
        Nigel Farage is coming to NZ this year. Are we going to ban him too?
        
        Incognito 8.1.1.1.3.1
        
        7 July 2018 at 4:37 pm
        
        Has he been denied entry into the UK?
        
        Andy …
        
        7 July 2018 at 8:51 pm
        
        He is a UK citizen so no, obviously
        
        Incognito …
        
        7 July 2018 at 9:37 pm
        
        Well then, you’ve answered your own question, haven’t you?
        
        Andy …
        
        8 July 2018 at 9:47 am
        
        We also banned Ayaan Hirsi Ali
        
        I’m pretty sure we can ban Nigel Farage on some vague “hate speech” justification
        
        Incognito …
        
        8 July 2018 at 2:46 pm
        
        Aren’t Nigel and Winston good mates? Surely, that’s enough reason to ban him from entry 😉
        
        Carolyn_Nth …
        
        8 July 2018 at 3:03 pm
        
        I should think there’s no reason to refuse entry to Farage to NZ. And if he wants to speak to the public, he can do so without using publicly owned or supported venues.
        
        Anyway, Nigel seems to win battles and cause chaos. He seems to have vacated UK right wing organisations now Brexit is causing so many problems for May’s government. So he must being doing world tours to find support elsewhere. He’s a bit of a Trump supporter now.
        
        Incognito …
        
        8 July 2018 at 3:10 pm
        
        Surely, we can find something on him so that he’d fail the ‘good character test’? Does he ‘shop’ at Harrods by any chance? Now, that would qualify him as an unsavoury character 😉
        
        Carolyn_Nth …
        
        8 July 2018 at 3:17 pm
        
        Ah. Farage seems unsavoury to me, but he’s careful to stay within certain kinds of boundaries that won’t scare the horses – he supports Trump and has made some nasty comments about gays and Jewish peoplE, which makes him unsavoury to me – these views do not help towards a humane society.
        
        However, apart from that, he has past his use-by date. Brexit mostly won because of the likes of Boris getting behind it. Now Farage seems to be travelling the world looking for a constituency. I don’t think any Trump cheerleader will get a very big following in NZ.
        
        Incognito …
        
        8 July 2018 at 3:45 pm
        
        I think Farage like many men and women past their use-by date is vying for attention rather than a constituency. I think he’s quite smart and outspoken. He’d make a good columnist for Granny Herald and there may even be a spot for him on DWTS. That said, some of these people from yesterday can still pack a punch …
        
        Gabby 8.1.1.1.3.2
        
        8 July 2018 at 9:52 am
        
        Who’s ‘gay’ and/or ‘trans’ according to Nige?
  - PaulMartinson 8.1.2
    
    6 July 2018 at 2:02 pm
    
    “But we don’t have to let her in to say these things.” ‘we’? Can I remind that in a democracy you don’t speak for me or anyone else but yourself. Perhaps you should consider what happened in 1939 when a group self righteous ‘brown shirts’ said essentially the same thing about socialists, artists and more …with whom they disagreed politically.
    - Draco T Bastard 8.1.2.1
      
      6 July 2018 at 6:43 pm
      
      Can I remind that in a democracy you don’t speak for me or anyone else but yourself.
      
      And our ‘democratic’ system has put in place rules that will deny her access.
      
      Remember, in a democracy the rules are what the majority agree to.
      
      Don’t agree with those rules? Fine – petition to get them changed. That is also democratic.
      - PaulMartinson 8.1.2.1.1
        
        7 July 2018 at 2:22 pm
        
        To Draco T Bastard,
        I’m not aware the majority of NZers agree with banning free speech. You do obviously…..but that only indicates an intolerance for dissenting voices . Banning criticism and mockery of any religion is plain wrong. These rights are the essence of out democracy. If it weren’t for them there would have been no protestant reformation in the C17 for example.
        
        Draco T Bastard 8.1.2.1.1.1
        
        7 July 2018 at 6:09 pm
        
        I’m not aware the majority of NZers agree with banning free speech.
        
        We haven’t. In fact, it’s guaranteed in the BoRA. We’ve put in place rules that only allow those with Good Character to enter NZ.
        
        You do obviously…..but that only indicates an intolerance for dissenting voices .
        
        And that’s just BS.
        
        Banning criticism and mockery of any religion is plain wrong.
        
        I criticise religions all the bloody time. They’re really stupid idea. I just don’t do it using hate speech.
        
        These rights are the essence of out democracy.
        
        There’s all sorts of rights and laws that make up the essence of our society including limits to those rights.
        
        If it weren’t for them there would have been no protestant reformation in the C17 for example.
        
        You really need to check your history:
        
        Today, people in the United Kingdom live in a democracy, with laws made by a Parliament that they have elected. This has not always been the case:
        
        At the start of the Middle Ages, England was ruled by a king. The institution which came to be called Parliament was just beginning.
        
        In the 17th century, war broke out between king and Parliament, ending in the Glorious Revolution of 1688. This established a constitutional monarchy, which is a ‘king-controlled-by-parliament’.
        
        The 19th century saw a reform of Parliament in 1832, and a number of acts of Parliament giving the vote to a greater number of people.
        
        However, Britain did not become a democracy until the Representation of the People Acts of 1918 and 1928 gave the vote to all men and women over the age of 21.
        
        Yeah, England and the UK weren’t even pretending to be a democracy in the 17th century. They did have a major revolution that probably set the stage for them to become one a few centuries later.
    - mickysavage 8.1.2.2
      
      6 July 2018 at 7:57 pm
      
      “But we don’t have to let her in to say these things.” ‘we’? Can I remind that in a democracy you don’t speak for me or anyone else but yourself. Perhaps you should consider what happened in 1939 when a group self righteous ‘brown shirts’ said essentially the same thing about socialists, artists and more …with whom they disagreed politically.
      
      Godwinned …
      
      Think of it this way. It is not a case of someone being deprived of freedom of speech. It is a case of the interruption of someone’s business opportunity.
  - Andy 8.1.3
    
    6 July 2018 at 4:34 pm
    
    “She” is legally a man in her home country of Canada.
    
    Please try not to misgender Lauren Southern (sarc)
    
    Actually LS was banned from the UK on terrorism charges. She had set up a stall in Luton giving away LBGT leaflets claiming Allah is Gay
    
    This was in response to a Vice article stating Jesus is Gay, which of course is completely fine
    
    The UK is now locking up political prisoners based on very flimsy charges. I don’t really want to NZ go down that path
    - Nic the NZer 8.1.3.1
      
      6 July 2018 at 6:51 pm
      
      Do try to make some sense Andy. Distributing leaflets claiming Allah is Gay in no way meets the UK’s definition of terrorism.
      
      Also a travel ban is quite a different thing to locking somebody up.
      - Andy 8.1.3.1.1
        
        7 July 2018 at 2:48 pm
        
        southern was banned from the UK under the unspoken adherence to Sharia, namely that one shouldn’t criticise the Religion of Peace
        
        Presumably that is also true for NZ now . Fine to have art exhibitions featuring “Jesus is a C” though
        
        marty mars 8.1.3.1.1.1
        
        8 July 2018 at 3:32 pm
        
        Rubbish. That isn’t true – youve made that up to fit your bigotry imo.
    - mickysavage 8.1.3.2
      
      6 July 2018 at 8:00 pm
      
      She went over there to pick a fight and film it. Excuse me if I have no sympathy for her or if I object in this being described as a freedom of speech issue.
- esoteric pineapples 8.2
  
  6 July 2018 at 4:37 pm
  
  I’m with you Paul. Shutting people up poses far more dangers than letting them speak.
  - cleangreen 8.2.1
    
    7 July 2018 at 3:15 pm
    
    I join you on this EP.
    “Shutting people up poses far more dangers than letting them speak”
    
    Yes they become ‘martyrs’ as history has often shown us..
Rozgonz 9

6 July 2018 at 12:48 pm

Hilarious, I knew her visit would get under you lefties skin. Why don’t you just ignore her, don’t give her any airtime. She’s just trying to wind you up and you have taken the bait, hook line and sinker
- JessNZ 9.1
  
  6 July 2018 at 4:07 pm
  
  I’d say the same thing about every single one of Gosman’s posts!
  
  But I’d decline the application for the visit based on our duly-agreed laws and avoid the media (and possibly real-world) shitstorm that benefits nobody in NZ, even the people who may agree with her opinions.
  - Andy 9.1.1
    
    6 July 2018 at 4:36 pm
    
    Southern has been to many dangerous places that most journalists would shy away from. So yes, the media here wouldn’t want “her type” here
    - JessNZ 9.1.1.1
      
      6 July 2018 at 6:04 pm
      
      So much deliberate misunderstanding in one reply 😀
      - Andy 9.1.1.1.1
        
        7 July 2018 at 2:49 pm
        
        So much misunderstanding?
        
        Perhaps you could expand instead of huffing and puffing
- mickysavage 9.2
  
  6 July 2018 at 8:01 pm
  
  Because we don’t have to let her into the country?
- Gabby 9.3
  
  8 July 2018 at 9:55 am
  
  Then she’ll be as happy as you clearly are rozzers.
David Mac 10

6 July 2018 at 12:50 pm

Those wasting an evening and their money to listen to someone share solutions that are fueled by hatred will get what they deserve.

Provided she doesn’t break our laws I say let her harp on. I’m interested in what those juxtaposed to my own view have to say, just reinforces my feelings.

The audience she will attract already harbour views aligned with hers, whether she fills the Bruce Mason Centre or not will have little bearing on where their heads are at.
tsmithfield 11

6 July 2018 at 12:51 pm

What I say below isn’t an indication that I agree with her specific point of view. But rather her right to have it and promote it.

Firstly, I don’t see how this was racist as religion is not a race. It is an ideology.

Secondly, Here is what she got kicked out of Britain for:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxjH5hZYTbQ

All she was doing was demonstrating the contradiction between how Christianity is treated. (Where it is common for academics etc to make provocative statements that Christians would find offensive without extreme reactions from Christians) compared to how Muslims behave when confronted with similar information (Allah is a gay god).

People in the LGBT community should be offended at the response that Muslims had in this in video about the proposal that Allah is a gay god btw. But this perspective seems to be glossed over and accepted by the left so far as Islam is concerned when it wouldn’t be in other contexts.

This incident was entirely about confronting people with concepts that challenged their world view, nothing about causing personal offence.

So, entirely a free speech issue IMO.
- mickysavage 11.1
  
  6 July 2018 at 1:20 pm
  
  But it is a question of entry to our country not free speech.
  
  The video you link to confirms that her modus operandii is to go around the world and hope to make a public spectacle of herself.
  
  She is clearly doing this for the clicks, which I am regrettably adding to.
  
  And I would have to disagree with you about her motivation. You can see from her action in the other two videos that she was happy to start skirmishes with the left and with feminists. She just wanted to pick a fight.
  - tsmithfield 11.1.1
    
    6 July 2018 at 2:21 pm
    
    See my comment below that I don’t agree with what she specifically did.
    
    However, what she did wasn’t that different to a stunt that Greenpeace might pull. I likely wouldn’t agree with that either but support the broad right of people to protest and make a point.
    
    In Southern’s case she is protesting against an ideology that is very restrictive on the rights of women and gays etc. In most other contexts we would support the stand she takes. But Islam seems to get a pass on this for some reason.
    - mickysavage 11.1.1.1
      
      6 July 2018 at 8:03 pm
      
      “what she did wasn’t that different to a stunt that Greenpeace might pull. ”
      
      But it was completely different. She goes for the edge of the political spectrum as part of her business model. She clearly does this for the clicks.
      
      By comparison Greenpeace is motivated by the best of intentions …
  - Gosman 11.1.2
    
    6 July 2018 at 2:24 pm
    
    Why would she being denied entry to the country MS? The only reason would be that she has unpleasant views which she might share with NZers.
    - McFlock 11.1.2.1
      
      6 July 2018 at 2:43 pm
      
      Visiting here is a privilege, not a right. What good is she to the country?
      - Gosman 11.1.2.1.1
        
        6 July 2018 at 3:49 pm
        
        Some citizens of the country think she is useful. The question you are not answering is why YOU get to decide they are wrong and YOU (and people like you) are right.
        
        left_forward 11.1.2.1.1.1
        
        6 July 2018 at 4:13 pm
        
        Hey man stop shouting, it’s piercing.
        
        McFlock 11.1.2.1.1.2
        
        6 July 2018 at 4:24 pm
        
        I don’t get to decide anything. Draco’s already clearly and repeatedly told you who makes the decision and on what basis.
        
        If you’re still asking the question, you must be an idiot or a liar.
Bill 12

6 July 2018 at 1:00 pm

A kind of ‘B’ Grade Katie Hopkins then?

I suspect people like her have simply found a very unpleasant but effective way to ego trip.

Let her turn up.

If halls or auditoriums are empty, she’ll pack up and shut up. But…well, I suspect there are enough people would give her oxygen by trying to shut her down.

What’s with the money grubbing fucks who run or rent out the Bruce Mason Centre though? You think they’d promote an evening by solid left wing/socialist/ anarchist speakers who were sharing their thoughts for free?

No. Of course they wouldn’t.
- esoteric pineapples 12.1
  
  6 July 2018 at 4:41 pm
  
  “I suspect people like her have simply found a very unpleasant but effective way to ego trip.”
  
  I came across her videos by chance a while ago – the ones dealing with what is happening to white South Africans – and I didn’t get that feeling at all. I felt she was quite sincere in her motivation. I felt that she tends to attract shallow racist personalities, but didn’t feel that she fitted that description herself.
indiana 13

6 July 2018 at 1:05 pm

Oddly we never see the same group of people rushing to set up a petition to block a person such as the one in this article:
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/86784089/auckland-imam-permanently-stood-down-after-antisemitic-speeches

I’m not sure if that person is a NZ citizen, if he is then would we also demand that Lauren Southern and Stefan Molyneux would be blocked from applying for NZ citizenship? Because, once you are a citizen, then you can freely go about insulting anyone.
- tsmithfield 13.1
  
  6 July 2018 at 1:12 pm
  
  Exactly. There at least needs to be consistency in the way people are treated.
- McFlock 13.2
  
  6 July 2018 at 1:42 pm
  
  Well, yes, once you’re allowed into the country then there are no immigration blocks to your speech. You just get stood down when the HRC hears what you’re saying.
  
  Or should we deport citizens, now?
  - Draco T Bastard 13.2.1
    
    6 July 2018 at 1:57 pm
    
    Not everyone in the country and spouting hate speech is a citizen. Those people should be deported as they don’t fit the Good Character test for Permanent Residence or even getting a visa.
    - McFlock 13.2.1.1
      
      6 July 2018 at 2:41 pm
      
      Visa revocation ok, but I reckon if they go bizarro-evil after permanent residency, we’ve already made the call and they might have cut ties on that basis.
tsmithfield 14

6 July 2018 at 1:07 pm

Yes. Personally, I don’t agree with what she did because the reaction was quite predictable. I don’t think she needed to do that to know there would be a reaction.

However, the broad concept of challenging religious ideas, and making people feel uncomfortable about their behaviour is legitimate freedom of speech. Not racism.
Alfie 15

6 July 2018 at 1:23 pm

Mickey… you may want to modify your link to the petition. The current link goes to a “You have successfully signed the petition” page.

[Will do thanks – MS]
Jenny 16

6 July 2018 at 1:53 pm

I call on the New Zealand authorities and the acting Prime Minister to deprive this hate monger of her right to come here.

To give fascists and racists a platform to openly state their views, on the grounds of free speech is a false equivalence.

If you illegally deprive someone of their liberty by kidnapping them, society retains the right to deprive you of your liberty by imprisonment.

In my opinion the principle is the same, if you practice hate speech you give up the right to free speech.

Racism and hate speech is not free speech, it is an abuse of free speech, because its purpose is to incite violence and deprive others of their freedom.

Freedom of speech, freedom of choice, freedom of religion, political views, racial equality are all the target of hate speech., The purpose is to deprive others of these rights, To advocate the removal of these rights from others, means you do not deserve them your self.

Do we defend the right for neo-nazis and racists to parade in Chartlottsville or do we oppose them?

Do we oppose the right of the blackshirt fascists to bolster their movement by marching down Cable Street as they did in England?

Or do we allow the Brown Shirts to march unopposed and grow as they did in Germany?

The children stand at the gate by Lene’s yard. Suddenly they hear: tromp, tromp — tromp tromp — Hey hey hey! Hitler Youth! Heil, heil heil!

Hurray, Hitler Youth! Let’s follow them! They are marching past: tromp, tromp, right, left

http://research.calvin.edu/german-propaganda-archive/textbook05.htm
- Gosman 16.1
  
  6 July 2018 at 2:25 pm
  
  Who gets to decide if it is hate speech or not?
  - You_Fool 16.1.1
    
    6 July 2018 at 2:43 pm
    
    Me? Can I? Please?
    
    Also am I allowed to follow you around and verbally abuse you at all times, call you names and insult your parentage? You can’t complain about that cause it is my free speech right? No matter what I say, or what leaflets I hand out… right?
    - Gosman 16.1.1.1
      
      6 July 2018 at 3:56 pm
      
      If you like. Unless you damage my reputation by speaking or writing untruths. Then I get to sue you. Do you see how this works now?
      - You_Fool 16.1.1.1.1
        
        9 July 2018 at 7:21 am
        
        Can I record my time and cut it to not show where I do slander you and abuse you and then claim that is the truth because I have a video of the incident…
        
        You realise that is what these people are doing right?
    - Andy 16.1.1.2
      
      8 July 2018 at 9:53 am
      
      Being anti rape and anti FGM is now considered “hateful” by the left
- Jenny 16.2
  
  6 July 2018 at 2:43 pm
  
  Germany is everywhere where we march in brown shirts and sing our songs, that is Germany.
  
  Heini and Lene
  
  “Is Germany everywhere?” Heini asks. — Father says: “Germany is everywhere where real German people are together…..
  
  …..Germany is everywhere that happens, no matter how far away from here. And where German boys and girls obey their parents and work hard in school, that is also Germany. Where the Hitler Youth play and sing and do their duty, and where girls dressed in brown use their hands to show their love for their Führer and help their people, that is also Germany. Where German soldiers conduct exercises, where we march in brown shirts and sing our songs, that is Germany.
  
  http://research.calvin.edu/german-propaganda-archive/textbook05.htm
  
  No pasarán
- Andy 16.3
  
  7 July 2018 at 8:59 pm
  
  I support a lot of work that Lauren southern does particularly the Farmland documentary
  
  I am a UK immigrant with NZ citizenship
  
  Would you like to deport me? I’d be happy to share my contact details with you and you can doxx me and intimidate my family
  
  It would be my pleasure
  - joe90 16.3.1
    
    7 July 2018 at 9:32 pm
    
    the Farmland documentary
    
    Why are you angry?
    
    Apartheid ended!
    
    ~Fin~
    /
You_Fool 17

6 July 2018 at 2:23 pm

I think the term “Don’t Feed The Trolls” applies to this person… She is just a click-bait troll…
- Draco T Bastard 17.1
  
  6 July 2018 at 2:28 pm
  
  And so are all the RWNJs in this thread.
  - You_Fool 17.1.1
    
    6 July 2018 at 2:38 pm
    
    Well, yeah… they mostly seem to be in it for the l0lz and not to actually debate ideas…
    - tsmithfield 17.1.1.1
      
      6 July 2018 at 2:53 pm
      
      Let me ask Draco and you if you would speak against ideologies that have been shown to be highly repressive to the rights of women and gays?
      - You_Fool 17.1.1.1.1
        
        6 July 2018 at 2:57 pm
        
        I am against anything the represses the rights of anyone….
        
        Note this troll isn’t really protesting anything, any more than me yelling at random people is protesting anything…
        
        tsmithfield 17.1.1.1.1.1
        
        6 July 2018 at 3:07 pm
        
        To the degree that Lauren Southern is also against a specific ideology that holds those views, would it be fair to say that you agree with her so far as that goes?
        
        McFlock …
        
        6 July 2018 at 3:11 pm
        
        Well, no she’s not.
        
        She’s basically saying we should fear all Christians because on denomination covered up child abuse by its members (well, multiple denominations, but probably not all). When you’d probably find that most members of even that denomination were appalled by the behaviour.
        
        tsmithfield …
        
        6 July 2018 at 3:23 pm
        
        In the particular stunt she pulled, only those with intolerent views would have reacted to her.
        
        Similar to how someone speaking against child abuse in the Catholic church would receive support and agreement from those in the church not involved in the behaviour and only cause upset with those who were in agreement with that behaviour.
        
        McFlock …
        
        6 July 2018 at 3:40 pm
        
        she’s only ever pulled one stunt? lol
        
        But in a broader sense, too, you’re full of shit. Blocking a ship that’s going to search for and rescue people in the sea, or blaming Syrian refugees for a shooting, or ranting that your ethnicity and culture is being “replaced”, these aren’t merely criticising a narrow aspect of a particular faith, it’s tarring everyone in that faith with the same brush.
        
        tsmithfield …
        
        6 July 2018 at 4:24 pm
        
        Blocking a ship that’s going to search for and rescue people in the sea”
        
        That actually sounds quite similar to the way Australia treats refugees, so perhaps we should be boycotting Australia.
        
        All the rest is merely her expressing her views.
        
        The best way to counter that speech is to provide counter examples, arguments, and stats to refute her position.
        
        The more she states her views, the more opportunity there is for them to be countered and for her to be discredited. Suppressing her views only feeds her cause.
        
        McFlock …
        
        6 July 2018 at 4:37 pm
        
        What ships do the aussies block?
        
        What you’re avoiding is the fact that racism isn’t rational. One can’t counter that with examples, argument or stats. Any more than one can counter AGW deniers. They want to bog people down in muddy waters of example vs counter vs statistic. If the waters are clear, there’s only one rational position. If they’re muddy, nobody knows where to go. And look at all the people they’re debating with and pwning in their heavily edited videos…
        
        But more importantly, sometimes the worst thing one can do is validate an abhorrent position with respect.
        
        tsmithfield …
        
        6 July 2018 at 4:50 pm
        
        What Australia does isn’t exactly the same, but it is of the same ilk. Such as this where fairly extreme measures were taken to stop refugees reaching Australia:
        
        http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-03-09/abf-denies-sinking-indonesian-asylum-seeker-boat/7232010
        
        So far as the rest goes, don’t you think it might be a tactic for Southern to provoke bans etc to increase her profile, and enlist support on the basis of perceived injustice on infringement of her right to freedom of speech.
        
        So far as racism goes, I think it is conflating issues. I don’t think it would bother her particularly what colour skin the people were.
        
        If there were hordes of white people arriving as refugees in similar numbers I suspect she would think pretty much the same about those as she does about the current refugees.
        
        McFlock …
        
        6 July 2018 at 5:01 pm
        
        rescuing people and then scuttling their craft isn’t the same as stopping other people rescue them.
        
        Of course she wants a reaction. The question is whether respecting her views (and I’m not going to get into a semantic debate about which exact flavour of fuckwittedness she has) would do more harm than just not actively supporting her by giving her a visa in the first place.
        
        tsmithfield …
        
        6 July 2018 at 5:07 pm
        
        I would think the long term detention of refugees in squalor conditions without any hope for the future is worse. It is killing them slowly and torturing them at the same time.
        
        So, I don’t think Australia is any more virtuous than Southern, yet we keep up relations with them.
        
        McFlock …
        
        6 July 2018 at 5:11 pm
        
        Yup. We’re not perfect.
        
        So we should give her a platform because we’re imperfect in other areas? How does that work? In for a penny of bigotry, in for a pound?
    - Gosman 17.1.1.2
      
      6 July 2018 at 3:48 pm
      
      What ideas do you want to debate here?
      - R.P Mcmurphy 17.1.1.2.1
        
        6 July 2018 at 9:21 pm
        
        anything you like. start the ball rolling.
        
        Gosman 17.1.1.2.1.1
        
        7 July 2018 at 1:55 am
        
        How about freedom of speech then?
SPC 18

6 July 2018 at 2:49 pm

No right turn, as usual determines on principle and favours free speech.
AsleepWhileWalking 19

6 July 2018 at 3:50 pm

I watched her piece on getting into the Whitehouse press gallery. Seemed interesting and made some good points.

Other than that don’t know her work and don’t have time to watch. Won’t be going in any case.
Carolyn_Nth 20

6 July 2018 at 4:08 pm

The venue managers have now cancelled the event.

Newshub 3 hours ago.

An ‘alt right’ speaking event planned to be held in Auckland has been cancelled by the venue operators.

That comes as Mayor Phil Goff sent a clear message that the pair are not welcome at Auckland Council venues.

“I just think we’ve got no obligation at all – in a city that’s multicultural, inclusive, embraces people of all faiths and ethnicities – to provide a venue for hate speech by people that want to abuse and insult others, either their faith or their ethnicity,” Mr Goff told Newshub.
…
Auckland Live, which runs the Bruce Mason Centre where the event was scheduled to take place, said the event was cancelled due to “security concerns” around the “health and safety” of the presenters, staff and patrons of the event.
…
Canadian Lauren Southern was banned from entering the United Kingdom after displaying flyers reading “Allah is a Gay God” and “Allah is trans”. She claims the flyers were part of a stunt proving Islam is homophobic.

In a trailer for the speaking event, Ms Southern asks whether Australia will continue to be a “victim of multiculturalism”.

“Do you want to retain your culture? Do you want to retain your borders? Family? Identity? Or will the boats keep coming?” she asks.

Stefan Molyneux also shares his views in lengthy internet videos, including arguing race is tied to IQ and reportedly saying women are to blame for violent men because adults are informed by “dysfunctional early childhood experiences, which are all run by women”.

There would be precedent for not allowing the pair entry. Musicians Odd Future was denied entry to New Zealand in 2014, after the group was deemed “a potential threat to public order”.

As Ms Southern has already been denied entry to the United Kingdom, she is not eligible for a New Zealand visa unless she is granted permission specifically.

Immigation Minister Iain Lees-Galloway said Immigration NZ [INZ] is looking into the matter.

“I am advised that INZ is aware of the two Canadian nationals referred to and is assessing whether any action needs to be taken under the Immigration Act and Immigration Instructions.”
- Bill 20.1
  
  6 July 2018 at 4:34 pm
  
  I’d like to think that the simple act of hitting, or threatening to hit the bastards where it hurts (in the pocket) is what lies behind the Bruce Mason Centre cancellation.
  
  But given the nonsense from Goff (wouldn’t butter melt in his mouth?) and the noises from Galloway, I suspect it’s all down to far messier stuff.
- Andy 20.2
  
  6 July 2018 at 4:39 pm
  
  Actually Molyneux’s arguments about race and IQ are based on peer-reviewed science. Jordan Peterson holds similar views.
  
  At least NZ will be a quiet place with none of these “far right” extremists coming in. However, when a large number of Kiwis hold similar libertarian views. you might want to be careful
  
  They might be everywhere… even commenting here……. Wooooo scary
  - McFlock 20.2.1
    
    6 July 2018 at 4:45 pm
    
    “When”. Lol.
  - Bill 20.2.2
    
    6 July 2018 at 5:09 pm
    
    Whatever Molyneux’s views on race and IQ may be, they aren’t based on “peer reviewed science” any more than than (say) Steven arsehole Spielberg’s “Empire of the Sun” was based on J G Ballard’s childhood experiences – ie, – a fuck of a lot of twisted bastardising going on.
  - Carolyn_Nth 20.2.3
    
    6 July 2018 at 5:12 pm
    
    Do tell about this “peer reviewed science”.
    
    Peterson, for instance, has had his veneer of scholarship pulled apart by some knowledgeable people:
    
    Here – by a feminist philospher
    
    And here – to mention just two learned people who have argued against Peterson’s bullshit and pseudo-science.
    
    What’s more important is why such people are getting a following – there’s a major struggle going on – the neoliberal consensus is crumbling.
    - mikes 20.2.3.1
      
      7 July 2018 at 9:25 pm
      
      “…pulled apart by some knowledgeable people:….. a feminist philosopher”
      Kate Manne – Hahahahahaha.
      
      Below is Peterson’s letter to Manne regarding that article.
      
      https://jordanbpeterson.com/uncategorized/response-to-vox-feminist-philosopher-dr-kate-manne-of-cornell/
      
      Harrison Fluss – absolute joke pretending to be intellectual – see this link in regards to the article you shared..
      
      https://medium.com/@hugonewman/jacobin-magazines-bullshit-a31deaf921c8
      
      Peterson often explains in great detail why he thinks he is getting such a massive following, you should read some of his material or listen to some of his lectures. But you won’t, because you no doubt think he is some sort of far right nazi, which he is quite clearly not and he is very vocal about his dislike and disgust of the far right.
tsmithfield 21

6 July 2018 at 4:08 pm

But what she did (with respect to illegal migrants) is not really that different to what our “civilised” neighbour Australia has done with respect to migrants.

So, while I strongly disagree with the action, it wasn’t that much different to the behaviour of a sovereign nation we happily engage with. So, if we are going to stop her from coming to NZ should we also be boycotting Australia?

So far as speech goes, it is merely her speaking her view and challenging the status-quo.

I am sure there are viewpoints you support where you would applaud similar behaviour from an activist. So, freedom of speech cuts both ways.
Hum 22

6 July 2018 at 4:09 pm

I don’t support this woman’s ridiculous views but I support her right to express them. We need to be very careful as a society if we are to start suppressing points of view that we disagree with.
- R.P Mcmurphy 22.1
  
  6 July 2018 at 9:23 pm
  
  she can always write a letter to the editor.
  - cleangreen 22.1.1
    
    7 July 2018 at 3:20 pm
    
    Good luck there RPM.
    
    Editors are corporates, so they will not invite free speech will they?
millsy 23

6 July 2018 at 4:12 pm

We will have a Handmaid’s Tale style dystopia imposed in the west if the likes of Petersen and Southern are allowed to flourish. They want to strip women, blacks and gays of their hard work rights, and they need to be stopped.
- Carolyn_Nth 23.1
  
  6 July 2018 at 4:48 pm
  
  I do think there is a major struggle going on right now between social and economic conservatives, and progressives.
  
  There’s a backlash coming from conservatives against the gains made by social progressives. They have taken some confidence from Trump winning the presidency.
  
  There’s an article by Jamelle Bouie on Slate, saying Trump is “leading the Republican charge to preserve a shrinking white majority”.
  
  Getting bogged down in a debate about free speech is a red herring.
  
  This struggle is about the current challenges to the wealthy elites and those with social and cultural status and privileges, and attempts by them and their supporters to maintain their power and privilege. Like Trump their “free speech” can play fast and loose with the truth. They aim to influence rather than spread evidence-based information and arguments.
- chris73 23.2
  
  6 July 2018 at 7:22 pm
  
  Got any links to support your views?
  
  https://www.youtube.com/user/JordanPetersonVideos/featured
  
  He’s got thousands of hours on his youtube channel so it shouldn’t be too difficult to find or did you just hear something from someone and decided to believe it?
- MikeS 23.3
  
  7 July 2018 at 9:29 pm
  
  What absolute rubbish. You clearly have no idea what any of the people mentioned even have opinions on.
  
  A “Handmaids Tale style dystopia ” already exists, it’s called ISIL, or Saudi Arabia, or one of many similar cultures / countries that believe women to be sub human and that gays should be killed.
Andy 24

6 July 2018 at 4:16 pm

All this “far right” BS is getting very tiresome.

It’s just a label used to discredit anyone who doesn’t go along with the globalist corporate agenda
- McFlock 24.1
  
  6 July 2018 at 4:25 pm
  
  Not at all. Some of them are far left, as well.
- Carolyn_Nth 24.2
  
  6 July 2018 at 4:31 pm
  
  Exactly how are Southern and Molyneux opposing “the globalist corporate agenda”?
  
  Southern is a right wing libertarian and they tend to support international free trade. They do seem to be “globalist” in the way they are travelling the world to spread their views.
  
  And Southern has spent most of her time attacking NGOs, not corporates. She has opposed feminists and LGBTI+ people – these are not groups supporting international corporates.
  - Andy 24.2.1
    
    6 July 2018 at 4:41 pm
    
    She is part of the so-called Identitarian movement which is in favour of closed borders, or at least anti-open borders, and maintaining the cultural traditions of European countries.
    
    In other words, pretty much like most Kiwis
    - millsy 24.2.1.1
      
      6 July 2018 at 5:12 pm
      
      No, she wants homosexuals strung up with piano wire, casual sex made illegal, and schools to stop teaching evolution.
      - Andy 24.2.1.1.1
        
        6 July 2018 at 6:04 pm
        
        I’m not sure if you are actually serious
        
        I’ll just assume that you are mentally ill Millsy,
        
        millsy 24.2.1.1.1.1
        
        6 July 2018 at 6:21 pm
        
        I am serious. Ironically the Islamic nation’s she hates so much caters for her reactionary social conservatism with laws against pre maritial sex, homosexuality, restrictions on women’s rights, etc.
        
        Andy …
        
        6 July 2018 at 7:06 pm
        
        Millsy, I have watched many videos from Lauren Southern and nowhere have I seen her have “reactionary” views that you suggest.
        She has interviewed Trans people on her Youtube channel, and her trolling in Luton with the “Allah is Gay” thing was done with Caolan Robertson, who is a gay man
        
        So I don’t really know here you get your information from
        
        OK I get it that she is a “troll” in the sense that she is trying to provoke discussion and reaction’
        This is a problem, apparently
      - chris73 24.2.1.1.2
        
        6 July 2018 at 7:26 pm
        
        Again Millsy got any proof of what you say? Here’s her youtube channel:
        
        https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCla6APLHX6W3FeNLc8PYuvg
        
        see if you can find anything or, ideally, STFU
        
        joe90 24.2.1.1.2.1
        
        7 July 2018 at 1:20 pm
        
        Here she is saying young women delaying marriage and engaging in pre-marital sex leads to unhappiness and that they squander the advantages they have in securing their future because it, pre-marital sex, undermines the ability of women to successfully pair bond.
        
        https://youtu.be/oxHIftZVfrQ
        
        Gosman …
        
        8 July 2018 at 6:34 am
        
        That seems like a view that most mainstream religious people share.
    - Carolyn_Nth 24.2.1.2
      
      6 July 2018 at 5:14 pm
      
      there are some on the left that do want more border restrictions. But Southern and Molyneux go further than that and have a very racial slant to that.
- Gabby 24.3
  
  8 July 2018 at 10:12 am
  
  A bit like the ‘farleft’ bullshit andies.
esoteric pineapples 25

6 July 2018 at 4:33 pm

I’ve watched some of her videos on what is happening to white South Africans – particularly the poor ones and farmers – and felt she presented a pretty strong case for the injustice that is taking place against them where no-one else seems to be speaking up for them.
- AsleepWhileWalking 25.1
  
  6 July 2018 at 5:29 pm
  
  Thanks, might check that out
  - cleangreen 25.1.1
    
    7 July 2018 at 3:22 pm
    
    Thanks EP
    
    I to will review her points as there is always been “two sides to every story”
Sabine 26

6 July 2018 at 5:12 pm

The wannabe Nazi Richard Spencer was denied further travel within Europe on a stop over in Poland.

“He has to return to the United States”

hahahahahahaha

https://thinkprogress.org/richard-spencer-is-effectively-barred-from-europe-30b18131d272/

Poor things, so white and no one wants them.
AsleepWhileWalking 27

6 July 2018 at 5:27 pm

Goff just banned them.

Pity. I like Stefan even if I disagree. Always thought provoking.
Sanctuary 28

6 July 2018 at 5:37 pm

Deftly torpedoed by Phil Goff.
- JessNZ 28.1
  
  7 July 2018 at 12:05 pm
  
  If you want to feel disturbed, go check out the comments on Phil Goff’s FB page post where he starts ‘Auckland Council venues shouldn’t be used to stir up ethnic or religious tensions.’
  
  One, to me, says
  ‘Too little, too late.
  
  The awakening continues, and you hysterical leftist mental patients best beware, we WILL absolutely retake the reins of power, and WILL absolutely treat you and your degenerate, depraved ilk, in the exact same manner as you treat us.
  
  The pendulum swings, NOTHING can stop it.
  
  Enjoy while you can.
  
  Tick tock.’
patricia bremner 29

6 July 2018 at 6:04 pm

Just another RW troll we don’t need here.
- Andy 29.1
  
  8 July 2018 at 10:31 am
  
  There are actually two of them . I notice how the left always pick on the women though
RedBaronCV 30

6 July 2018 at 7:43 pm

Is she self funding or is someone else footing the bill. And if so who?
It’s not cheap to come here and hire the Bruce Mason centre and then the required security etc etc. And from my brief glimpse above it looks like a change of operating style. in the past she seems to have gone to a demo and mouthed off – and got a reaction she filmed.
Standing a a stage making the same sort of remarks is a very different scenario – particularly if the audience is small and friendly. On the other hand if she did give a speech we could well wind up with social media photos of all who support her views publicly available.
- Carolyn_Nth 30.1
  
  6 July 2018 at 8:29 pm
  
  The promoter who was organising the Auckland event is David Pellowe. Curiously, he’s not interested in rtying for a non-council venue in Auckland. Probably feeds off the cancellation of the event to make political mileage out of it.
  
  He’s an Aussie, and is described in this article anarchobase about Pellowe bringing Southern and Molyneux to Australia.
  
  As noted, the tour is being organised by ‘Axiomatic Events’, a new project behind which sits Queensland businessman and Media Guy (‘Hunni Promotional Media’) Dave Pellowe. A concerned Christian citizen, Pellowe, both via his now-deleted blog ‘The Philtheist’ and still-extant Twitter accounts (Dave Pellowe and VozMayoria/Voice of the Majority), expresses fairly conventional ‘AltLite’ views: he’s pro-Christian and anti-Muslim; pro-Trump and anti-abortion; a climate change denialist and a friend of the corporate sector. He’s also a former candidate for the Family First Party, running for the seat of Logan in the Queensland state election in 2015 (when he scored 1,098 votes or 4.1%)
  
  Pellowe has a website and a youtube channel
  
  He’s anti-marriage equality, and anti Palestinian. “The truth about Gaza” is about how awful Hamas and Palestinians are.
  - Gabby 30.1.1
    
    8 July 2018 at 10:15 am
    
    I wonder what views master Pillow holds on Hobson’s Lemon-scented.
- Incognito 30.2
  
  7 July 2018 at 12:22 pm
  
  On the other hand if she did give a speech we could well wind up with social media photos of all who support her views publicly available.
  
  I see, guilty by association, as ruled by an armchair-based Facebook & Twitter lynch mob viewing photos online and drawing their verdicts. FFS!
weston 31

6 July 2018 at 8:01 pm

I thought we championed free speech here in nz ?IM astounded that the mere idea of two individuals speaking from a stage in auckland could cause so much fear and righteous indignation .Surely ideas surreptitiously entered into our psyches by huge corporations or media giants or villainous pr companies or equally villainous intelligence agencies …..are infinitely more dangerous ??
- Alan 31.1
  
  6 July 2018 at 8:08 pm
  
  second that
- mickysavage 31.2
  
  6 July 2018 at 8:10 pm
  
  Their ideas are free to make they way through the WWW. Why should we allow them into the country. Besides it is not expression of free speech, it is a lost business opportunity.
  - Nick J 31.2.1
    
    8 July 2018 at 8:40 pm
    
    So Mickeysavage, you are happy to decide who should be allowed in to say what. That’s a mighty fine and dandy position for anyone to hold. Now imagine Gosman for example holding that power. Would that be acceptable?Are you by dint of your political persuasions a better candidate for decision on who comes, speaks etc than Gos?
- Gabby 31.3
  
  8 July 2018 at 10:17 am
  
  What gave you that idea westy? The jihadists on every street corner preaching death to the infidels?
corodale 32

6 July 2018 at 8:37 pm

Divide and conqueur in action, bring it on!
More exciting than work and mortgage.
Expect we have enough adults in our community to help supervise these kids peacefully, that they may express their past trauma is a healthy fashion.
Gentle conflict to potentially release the tention, in a theraputic sense.
Macro 33

6 July 2018 at 8:54 pm

Well we banned Randy Mandy.
Rice-Davies also toured Spain, Australia, Hong Kong and Singapore but was banned from entering New Zealand as a result of a complaint from the Girl Guides.
http://spartacus-educational.com/SPYdavies.htm
Sabine 34

6 July 2018 at 9:32 pm

I think the chick is just confused.

she wants to be racist but does not want to be a ‘feminist’ even tho she would like to have some of the rights ‘feminists’ have fought for, such as the right to not marry in order to have a meal ticket, such as sex without marriage, and sex without child bearing. But other then that she just wants to be racist, cause being white is so special, and being a youtube alt-right racists beats working any day. .

https://www.salon.com/2017/12/04/alt-right-women-are-upset-that-alt-right-men-are-treating-them-terribly/

Quote :”I am not trying to sell the idea that myself, as a 22-year-old, needs to be married right now for the sake of traditionalism and not being a degenerate,” Southern said in a YouTube video. “What is also just completely shocking to me is the utter lack of understanding of nuance.”
Southern said that women should be able to choose their own life path and not be attacked for it, which sounds like what women have been shouting for a few decades now.” Quote end.

https://mic.com/articles/186675/the-women-of-the-alt-right-are-speaking-out-against-misogyny-theyd-prefer-absolute-patriarchy#.z2SugSrrX

Quote: “I’m not going to get married at 22 years old just so that I won’t be called a degenerate on the internet,” nationalist figurehead Lauren Southern said in a recent video addressing her harassers.”Quote end.

Sadly the blokes don’t think so? 🙂

Quote: “They’re tricking a lot of men into thinking they’re the ideal, traditional woman when they’re no different than the skank I can find in any nightclub here,” Roosh V, a famous rape apologist blogger, said in a YouTube video posted Dec. 4. “In fact, in some cases, they are worse.”Quote end.

Sorry my dear, you are dabbling in white patriarchy and sadly these guys that adhere to this outdated form of society really do like their women uneducated, bare feet and pregnant in the kitchen fixing sandwiches. 🙂 Cause you – women – need to out breed the ‘undesirables’ – you know the ones not white.

I suggest she acquaint herself with the quiverfull movement and realize that this is her future if they get their say 🙂

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quiverfull

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gothard

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/19_Kids_and_Counting
- marty mars 34.1
  
  7 July 2018 at 4:30 pm
  
  + 1
  
  Thanks Sabine – I now know what quiverfull means.
Pat 35

7 July 2018 at 12:41 am

The world used to be flat….what happened?

http://www.eastonbh.ac.nz/2014/08/the-right-to-dissent-by-jack-shallcrass/
Blazer 36

7 July 2018 at 7:41 am

Those that had never heard of her like me,now have.
A win for her ‘brand awareness’.
Robert Guyton 37

7 July 2018 at 8:09 am

Goff – “I just think we’ve got no obligation at all…”
Correct. He does just think that. And he gets to decide. It’s a mayoral thing, deciding. ‘parently.
justpassingthru 38

7 July 2018 at 8:21 am

Of course Goff has the right to ban her from a council-owned building. She’ll just find somewhere else. It just proves how much of a far-Left organisation Auckland Council is.
- Gabby 38.1
  
  7 July 2018 at 12:22 pm
  
  The giveaway for me was how much money the council is taking from millionaire property developers and spending on street beggars justpassingwind, now that’s far-Left I thought to myself.
Nick J 39

7 July 2018 at 8:42 am

Let her come and express herself, judgement of her opinions is over to the listener. Buggered if I want anyone telling me who or what I can listen to, that’s the thin end of the authoritarian wedge.

On that note it seems ever more clear to me that the Left in particular have adopted a closed mindset that does not tolerate anything other than their views to be expressed, socially, politically or publically. It’s Orwellian, I don’t need Phil Goff to protect me or make me safe from malign opinions. Time to grow up, harden up and start thinking.
- MikeS 39.1
  
  7 July 2018 at 9:36 pm
  
  Exactly right. As stated in an earlier post, the so called left shout from the rooftops about how great and important diversity is. But when it comes to diversity of ideas or opinions, not so much.
Jenny 40

7 July 2018 at 9:58 am

Breaking News:

A white person has not been let into the country.
Blazer 41

7 July 2018 at 12:20 pm

My understanding is she cancelled her trip.
Has not been barred from entering NZ.
- Incognito 41.1
  
  7 July 2018 at 12:26 pm
  
  Pellowe said Lauren Southern had been denied an automatic entry visa to New Zealand because she had been denied entry to the United Kingdom, but lawyers had been working on securing one.
  
  https://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/105302179/controversial-canadian-speaker-denied-visa-as-auckland-agency-cancels-booking?rm=m
  - Jenny 41.1.1
    
    7 July 2018 at 3:31 pm
    
    Sanity prevails
    
    Politics is pressure
    
    What is interesting to me, is that pressure was coming on Lauren Southern from all sides, until it just became too much.
    
    This speaks well of New Zealanders.
  - Andy 41.1.2
    
    8 July 2018 at 10:29 am
    
    The border police in the UK asked her if she was a “Christian extremist” and how she felt about crashing cars into people
    
    It’s a growing problem and I thing the Methodist’s are worst, although I’d watch out for those pesky Amish and their hordes and carts too. Can’t be too careful these days
cleangreen 42

7 July 2018 at 3:28 pm

Yes it looks like we are in a PC PC PC PC PC PC out of control world now and we really should be worried about the other global issiues that now confrant us all like….

WORLD
-Global heat wave
-Climate change will be catastrophic
-Global financial meltdown
-Trump trade war with China
-America invading Venezuela
- Jenny 42.1
  
  7 July 2018 at 7:13 pm
  
  Everything is related.
  
  The rise of the Far Right is in part a reaction to the issues you mention. Just as rise of fascism was a reaction to the Great Depression.
  
  The purpose of these ‘reactionaries’ is to delay or prevent any progressive action to confront any of these sorts of problems.
  
  To your list I will add another but related list…
  
  -Climate change, denial
  -Scapegoating of minorities
  -Austerity
  -Sexism
  -Racism
  -Nationalism
  -Militarism
  -War
  
  The second list is a list of all the things that the Far Right champion.
  
  You may agree, or not maybe, that it complements the first list
  - Andy 42.1.1
    
    8 July 2018 at 10:07 am
    
    I am anti rape . Does that make me Far Right?
    - marty mars 42.1.1.1
      
      8 July 2018 at 10:19 am
      
      Lol are you for real? What a knob.
      - Andy 42.1.1.1.1
        
        8 July 2018 at 10:26 am
        
        1500 girls were raped in Rotherham England by “Asian grooming gangs” yet the police and media were silent . People who spoke up were labelled “far right”
        
        My question stands. Is it better to let your daughters be raped because it is politically correct to do so, or is it better to speak up and risk being labelled Far Right?
        
        marty mars 42.1.1.1.1.1
        
        8 July 2018 at 10:34 am
        
        Fuck off you wanker – clear enough for ya.
DS 43

7 July 2018 at 3:48 pm

It’s a bit moot now, but I’m a tad uncomfortable with denying these nutters entry. Yes, they are nutters, and truly vile people, but letting them in and then protesting them strikes me as a much better solution. We aren’t fascists, even if they are. As it is, they’re going to thrive on martyrdom.

Also note that the dangers of “incitement” is the justification for New Zealand’s archaic blasphemy law (you know, the one the Government wants to repeal – surely we on the Left want to consign that sort of thing to history?).
Jenny 44

7 July 2018 at 3:49 pm

Everything is related
joe90 45

7 July 2018 at 3:52 pm

Hates immigrants but thinks he should be able to go wherever TF he likes.

White nationalist leader Richard Spencer was reportedly stopped by authorities in Europe this week while attempting to travel to address young white nationalists.

Spencer seemingly confirmed the incident Thursday on Twitter, sharing a Swedish-language tweet from another “alt-right” supporter saying that Spencer had been banned in Europe because of his views.

[…]

The Associated Press reported last year that Spencer had been banned from entering 26 European countries. Those countries, which include Poland and Sweden, are part of Europe’s visa-free Schengen area.

Spencer said at the time that he would try to challenge the ban, which is in place for five years, according to the AP.

“I’m being treated like a criminal by the Polish government. It’s just insane,” Spencer said at the time. “I haven’t done anything. What are they accusing me of?”

http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/395745-richard-spencer-confirms-ban-on-traveling-to-european-countries
Adam Skinner 46

7 July 2018 at 6:30 pm

I’m glad there are other Kiwi’s like me who are appalled that we have politicians, protest groups and the New Zealand Federation of Islam Associations telling others who they can listen to. I’m a Lauren Southern fan and I wouldn’t be if she were racist or bigot that the media label her. I’ve watched many of her YouTube videos and have not seen a single example of her being racist or bigoted. I’ve have heard her say that Western style democracies are superior to others when it comes to human rights, religious tolerance, Justice and equality, and I’ve yet to hear a credible argument proving her wrong. She describes herself as a conservative but still she is described as far-right in the media without them ever saying what the far-right actually stand for or what makes Ms Southern part of it. If being a nationalist is the only criteria I have to say I always support NZ in sport and are proud when a Kiwi does something good internationally but I voted Labour in the last election, not really a far-right party whatever that is. I noticed they used to accuse Dr Jordan Peterson of being far-right but this has changed somewhat since he became internationally well known and has given so many interviews and talks that the far-right accusation is seen as the rubbish it is. I suggest that those wishing to know the truth about Ms Southern watch her videos and podcasts for themselves rather than listen to the bias views put forward by people who disagree with what she says and argue she is a bad person rather than disputing her facts and arguments or debating her on the issues.
I am very sad that NZ is following Britain and Canada in stopping people from speaking and accusing folks of hate speech because they don’t like the facts being presented. It has lead to real injustice and loss of freedoms elsewhere and we should fight against it here in NZ.
- Incognito 46.1
  
  7 July 2018 at 9:47 pm
  
  I’m glad there are other Kiwi’s like me who are appalled that we have politicians, protest groups and the New Zealand Federation of Islam Associations telling others who they can listen to.
  
  I’d be appalled too if it were not for the fact that nobody has told others whom they can listen to. You appear to be twisting the facts and your last paragraph is only slightly more accurate.
- Andy 46.2
  
  8 July 2018 at 10:05 am
  
  Hear hear.
  
  Jordan Peterson is a self described classical liberal Yet has been described as Alt Right and Far Right
  
  Ridiculous. The left have long since lost the plot
greywarshark 47

7 July 2018 at 6:35 pm

There’s no such thing as ‘free’ speech. There are all sorts of controls on what is reasonable to say to people. People who think that limiting free speech would be bad, talk in theories and open the way to bullies dogging people they have decided they disagree with. Those people might be wanting an abortion which should be a private affair, wanting to use euthanasia or find out about it, which should be a private affair, or just interfering and trying to change others actions. How far should one go in this behaviour?

In turn the free speech promoters need to take serious thought about their own attempt to oppress others by their actions, while they attempt to deny those others the right to behave and express their thoughts in a reasonable way.

http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/361324/self-styled-nz-baptist-pastor-facing-deportation-from-australia
What is the Pillar Baptist Church?
The Pillar Baptist Church opened at Goodna, west of Brisbane, within the past 12 months.
It is not affiliated with the mainstream Baptist denomination, including the Queensland Baptists or Australian Baptist Ministries.

The church has declared it is anti-abortion, anti-gay and anti-Islam.
Mr Robertson posts sermons on social media and has also released a “documentary” critical of the Mormon faith.
On the church’s website, Mr Robertson describes his church as a New Testament Independent Fundamental Baptist Church.

“Our church is a friendly group of believers who have a strong desire for truthful biblical preaching, that isn’t watered down or compromised,” the website says.

Mr Robertson had already sparked controversy in New Zealand by saying people in gay marriages should be shot, and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern should “get in the kitchen where women belong”.
He was rebuked by Baptist Churches of New Zealand in 2014, who said he had never been affiliated with their denomination.
“The NZ Baptist churches have been demeaned by his vitriol, leaving many of our Baptist church members and pastors wrongly implicated by Robertson’s actions,” the church said.

New Zealand police reportedly launched an investigation into Mr Robertson but dropped the case on the basis there was no evidence to suggest he had committed any crimes.

Who is this man? Why does he think he has the right to harrass and frighten Muslims? Why is he more important to the world than others, and his judgments reign supreme? Why should bears be drained of their bile when there are people like this roaming free in our society? Why go to Australia and bring our country into disrepute, and enable them to bridle sensitively about it, when they have their Manus Island disgrace ongoing? What has taken him to Queensland to do this? And why can’t Baptists sue him for using their name, bringing their ‘brand’ and reputation into disrepute? Surely churches know that one of Jesus’ forecasts that people will worship false gods and wrongly preach in his name, and use religion to make money, is increasing in our materialistic society.
cleangreen 48

7 July 2018 at 9:16 pm

Yes greywarshark,

The truth is that the politicians expect us to believe ‘we have free speech, but in reality we do not.

We saw many cases when our people protested with our voices the government of the day would shut our people down when the poiotical climate got to sticky didn’t they.

We need a free speech tv network as best as the TVNZ 7 was; – remenmber when we had this ‘free speech’ channel until National closed it down?.

Labour need to construct their own commercial free balanced channel as they in the last Labour Government did, and have another ‘mark two’ TVNZ 7.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TVNZ_7

TVNZ 7 was a commercial-free New Zealand 24-hour news and information channel on Freeview digital television platform It was produced by Television New Zealand, which received Government funding to launch two additional channels.

The channel went to air just after 10 am on 25 March 2008 with a looped preview reel. The channel was officially launched at noon on 30 March 2008 with a special “kingmaker” political debate held within the Parliament building and featuring most of the elected minor party leaders.
It featured TVNZ News Now updates every hour from 6 am to 11 pm, with a specialised rolling 10-minute bulletin ‘zone’ between 8 am and 9 am, throughout which six bulletins were aired. TVNZ 7 also featured an hour-long bulletin, TVNZ News at 8, at 8 pm each night. It was hosted on weeknights by Greg Boyed and on weekends by Miriama Kamo.

While it was originally reported to be a ‘rolling news channel’, similar to Sky News and CNN Headline News, Eric Kearley, head of TVNZ’s Digital Launch team, stated about 70% of the schedule would be “factual variety” programming – a mix of local and overseas documentaries, and programmes that discuss current events and sport, with the remaining 30% being the news updates. A full schedule was released on 28 February 2008.

The channel was relaunched on 1 March 2011, it was officially announced that TVNZ 7 cease broadcast in June 2012. This was confirmed when Broadcasting Minister Jonathan Coleman stated on behalf of the government that they would not extend further funding for the channel due to low ratings. This was despite viewing figures that suggested half of all households with Freeview at the time were watching TVNZ7 – around 700,000 people – and not the 207,000 claimed by Coleman. In March 2012, Television New Zealand confirmed this decision and announced there would be no eleventh-hour reprieve for TVNZ7.
Name (Required) 49

8 July 2018 at 3:09 am

“[She] abuses her right of freedom of speech. She’s just going to give a talk in which she’s just going to insult all of us,” Mr Arafeh said.

Well I guess we will never know now will we.

“I don’t think insulting Muslims comes under free speech, that’s an abuse of freedom of speech.”

Mr Arafeh, with respect, one should be free to speak their criticisms as they see fit. If you feel insulted by their words you are free to do so. You are free to rebut their criticisms. I am sure Ms Southern would be happy to meet with you to address your concerns.

If free speech is going to be truly free then nothing can be beyond critique. To make Islam some how exempt from analysis or mockery is not fair to all the other religions who have learned to live with a little tongue in cheek.

I’m disappointed that our civic venues have been closed to people with ideas that might hurt some peoples feelings.
Name (Required) 50

8 July 2018 at 3:19 am

Far right Canadian activist wants to come to New Zealand to insult local communities

Bullshit journalism. If this is “The Standard”, then may the one true god help us all
Ned 51

9 July 2018 at 9:40 am

Anybody who bothers finding out about Lauren Southern or Stefan Molyneux would realize they are NOT FAR RIGHT in their political beliefs literally everything they talk about is backed up by the actual truth its a really sad day when New Zealand becomes afraid of the literal truth and this whole incident is extremely embarrassing to our countries reputation internationally…Really folks are laughing at us for being liberal morons right now.
Craig Y 52

11 July 2018 at 5:29 pm

If anyone wants to sign this Change.org petition against Southern’s visit here, go right ahead. It currently has 2885 signatures, more than twice as many as a pro-visit petition on the same website: https://www.change.org/p/immigration-new-zealand-stop-lauren-southern-from-entering-new-zealand
Delia 53

12 July 2018 at 12:18 am

If she is cancelling her trip, why are we talking about her?

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Nearly two weeks on from the US election, and we are still mentally wrangling with the results. How did this happen? Which voter demographics went where? What did the Democrats do wrong? Meanwhile here in New Zealand, we’re left wondering how this will apply to us and what this means ...

Sapphi’s SubstackBy Sapphi

3 days ago
Kaamos: Accepted

I appreciate that A Phuulish Fellow has been fairly quiet recently. That’s a combination of two things – comparatively little in the way of relevant material to discuss (at least until The War of the Rohirrim comes out next month), and my general work on The Secret Non-Fiction Writing Project. ...

A Phuulish FellowBy strda221

3 days ago
Here’s how governments could fix their Paris climate commitment failures

This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections Governments around the world face a conundrum. Virtually none are on track to meet their Paris climate commitments. That includes the United States, which committed to cut its emissions at least 50% below 2005 levels by 2030 but is only on track for 32-43% cuts ...

Skeptical Science

3 days ago
Unstoppable.

Too Big To Fail: Forty-three years after the 1981 Springbok Tour protests, Maori defenders of te Tiriti, by their own efforts, and using their own resources, are poised to descend on the capital with upwards of 100,000 followers at their back, and no force in front of them even remotely ...

Bowalley Road

3 days ago
Katherine Trebeck – An Alternative Economic Narrative

The era of neoliberalism has been destructive on so many levels, with a huge growth in wealth and privilege for the one percent. A hollowing out of the state; fraying of the safety net; inadequate government investment in infrastructure; and continued environmental degradation has resulted in damage on a vast ...

Fabians

4 days ago
In a Manner of Speaking

In a manner of speakingI just want to sayThat I could never forget the wayYou told me everythingBy saying nothingOh, give me the wordsGive me the wordsThat tell me nothingOh, give me the wordsGive me the wordsThat tell me everythingSongwriter: Winston TongNext Tuesday, the subscription price for Nick’s Kōrero will ...

Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel

4 days ago
Monday 18 November 2024

The NZNO have announced a nationwide strike for December over its pay dispute with Health NZ, who have put a 1 per cent cap on pay rises. The Hīkoi mō Te Tiriti and Treaty Principles Bill remain front and centre in the media, with the impacts of the Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke-led ...

NZCTUBy Jeremiah Boniface

4 days ago
Shipley warns Seymour’s bill is ‘inviting civil war’

The divisive Treaty Principles Bill is not just a risk for the National Party, it’s a risk to civil order and unity, warns a National Party grandee. Photo: Getty ImagesKia ora. Long stories short, here’s my top things to note in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on ...

The KakaBy Bernard Hickey

4 days ago
A clearer network for the City Rail Link?

This post was originally published on Linked In by Nicolas Reid. It is republished here with permission. Auckland is now just a year or so away from having the keystone of its urban rail network complete. As I wrote about here, the City Rail Link will be a literal game changer for ...

Greater AucklandBy Guest Post

4 days ago
National’s support base is wobbling

If ACT leader David Seymour intended the Treaty Principles Bill to drive a wedge into National’s support base, he may well already be succeeding. By midnight on Thursday after the Maori Party haka in Parliament, National MPs were being deluged with emails and messages from their members calling them out ...

PolitikBy Richard Harman

4 days ago
2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #46

A listing of 33 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, November 10, 2024 thru Sat, November 16, 2024. Story of the week Our Story of the Week is completely "meta" (no, not that Meta). It's about our exploring how ...

Skeptical Science

4 days ago
Grifter Eftpos Tamaki at it again

..Thanks for reading Frankly Speaking ! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.Self-appointed “Bishop” and proto-fascist, Brian Tamaki was at it again on 16 November, blocking Auckland’s southern motorway, SH1.This time, the target of his ire wasn’t the Civil Unions Act; covid lock-downs; mask mandates; or ...

Frankly SpeakingBy Frank Macskasy

4 days ago
Rip up a bill, lead a haka are words to live by

I cannot stop grabbing people by the lapels, or shoulders, or similar, and raving at them about the tiny miracles in my ears.I can hear again! There could not be a more satisfied customer in all the world.In a noisy cafe I am even catching words that Karren cannot, she ...

More Than A FeildingBy David Slack

5 days ago
Unintended Consequences

Take the baitYou pay the priceIt's much too lateFor good adviceYou know and I know that our good things' throughBecause there's consequences for what we doConsequences for me and youWriters: Kevin Robert Hayes, David Nagier, Bonnie Adele Hayes.Fallout from the first readingOne News began last night by saying that tens ...

Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel

6 days ago
Thank you, driver!

Today, Saturday 16th of November, is Auckland Transport’s Bus Driver Appreciation Day! Saturday 16 November marks the third annual Auckland Transport (AT) ‘Bus Driver Appreciation Day’, and this year we are encouraging all of New Zealand to thank their driver or let the bus go first if you are in ...

Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland

6 days ago
Totally Normal: Holiday Edition

Hi,If I was to accurately sum up my mental state over the week, I’d just say that I got a huge fright from my own shadow.I’d nipped out for an 11pm neighborhood stroll, just to calm down after a day of stress and screens. The Cure and Fazerdaze’s new record ...

David FarrierBy David Farrier

6 days ago
We Are Not Listening

The current rise of populism challenges the way we think about people’s relationship to the economy.We seem to be entering an era of populism, in which leadership in a democracy is based on preferences of the population which do not seem entirely rational nor serving their longer interests. ...

PunditBy Brian Easton

6 days ago
More lawlessness from National

On Tuesday, sick of government stonewalling, the Waitangi Tribunal issued a rare court order, ordering the Minister of Health to release unredacted documents within 48 hours showing its reasoning for disestablishing Te Aka Whai Ora, the Māori Health Authority. The government's response to the lawful order of a court? Yeah, ...

No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant

6 days ago
National’s tyrannical “foreign interference” law

Yesterday, under cover the the biggest political fight of the year, National quietly - covertly, even - introduced anti-foreign interference legislation. The bill is the product of a years-long work-program aimed at countering shit like this and this, and there's unquestionably a need to do something to counter foreign states' ...

No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant

6 days ago
The Haka Represents The Best Of Us

A few months ago, I was in an audience watching a Haka-Kapa and as I watched children dance and sing and sway and shout and beat, I couldn’t help but think “The Haka represents the best of us.”Yes, yes - there will be a thousand voices that rush forth to ...

Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui

7 days ago
Adding up the climate cost

St Mary’s Bay housing left hanging: Climate risk is systemically underestimated in the climate scenarios used by central banks, and a new report warns 10,000 houses are set to become uninsurable in Aotearoa. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāLong stories short, here’s the top six news items of note in ...

The KakaBy Bernard Hickey

7 days ago
Auckland chafing at Bishop’s housing intensification orders

One of the major problems the Government has in implementing its ‘going for housing growth’ strategy is that it isn’t giving much funding help to councils. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāKia ora. Long stories short, here’s my top things to note in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and ...

The KakaBy Bernard Hickey

7 days ago
Friday 15 November 2024

The Treaty Principles Bill continues to dominate political news, with it passing its first reading in the House. Parliament was briefly suspended and Te Pāti Māori MP Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke suspended for 24 hours after leading a haka that was joined by opposition MPs and the public in the gallery. Willie ...

NZCTUBy Jeremiah Boniface

7 days ago
Weekly Roundup 15-November-2024

Happy Friday, welcome to another round-up of interesting stories about what’s happening in Auckland and other cities. Feel free to add your links in the comments! This post, like all our work, is brought to you by a largely volunteer crew and made possible by generous donations from our readers ...

Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland

7 days ago
Are We The Waiting?

And screamingAre we we are, are we we are the waitingAnd screamingAre we we are, are we we are the waitingForget me nots, second thoughts live in isolationHeads or tails and fairy tales in my mindAre we we are, are we we are the waiting unknownThe rage and love, the ...

Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel

7 days ago
The Hoon around the week to November 15

The podcast above of the weekly ‘Hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers on Thursday night features co-hosts & talking about the week’s news with:The Kākā’s climate correspondent on the latest climate news, including from COP29 this week; on the US Presidential elections, Israel vs Gaza/Iran/Lebanon, Ukraine/Nato vs Russia/North ...

The KakaBy Bernard Hickey

7 days ago
First Tea and Toast, now Milo — why do NZ’s best beverages need so much defending?

Only two months ago, Nicola Willis had to step in to stop Health New Zealand cutting tea and toast for post-birth parents, and now Lester Levy is riding to the rescue with a welcome message for all: our health workers can once again drink Milo, and will no longer need ...

Sapphi’s SubstackBy Sapphi

7 days ago
Gordon Campbell on the folly of making apologies in a social vacuum.

Day One of the Treaty Principles Bill…and everyone got what they wanted, and did what they liked. Heated words were exchanged. Culturally appropriate acts of outrage were performed. David Seymour got to play the victim card. Willie Jackson got kicked out of class. A comically red-faced Mr Speaker bellowed “Order, ...

WerewolfBy ScoopEditor

1 week ago
Skeptical Science New Research for Week #46 2024

Open access notables Microbial solutions must be deployed against climate catastrophe, Peixoto et al., Nature Communications [comment]: The climate crisis is escalating. A multitude of microbe-based solutions have been proposed, and these technologies hold great promise and could be deployed along with other climate mitigation strategies. However, these solutions have ...

Skeptical Science

1 week ago
The PM gets some extremely valuable legal advice for free

You can pay a great deal of money for the services of a KC. So just what would some peerless legal writing from 40 or so of them be worth, do you reckon?Priceless, that’s what. It’s not even the half of it, but this is my favourite part of the ...

More Than A FeildingBy David Slack

1 week ago
D-day for the government

The government's Treaty Principles Bill is up for its first reading today - bought forward in a rush in a desperate effort to avoid the hikoi which is currently marching on Wellington. But the Prime Minister won’t be there for it – he’s literally running away to Peru! But he ...

No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant

1 week ago
97% of submissions did not want no-cause evictions, Trump chooses a Russian spy for US Intelligence ...

Good morning, and I’m sorry I’ve been away for a couple of days.I’ve been focusing on the Hikoi, and also testing out sentiment on the Treaty Principles Bill. It’s complicated, and the Treaty Principles Bill will be debated in the House today. The Government’s own lawyers have told them the ...

Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui

1 week ago
Government must vote down ACT Members Bill that would undermine workers’ rights

NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi President Richard Wagstaff is calling on the Government to vote down an ACT Party Members Bill that would undermine workers’ rights by making it easier for employers to fire workers. Last week ACT MP Laura Trask’s Employment Relations (Termination of Employment by Agreement) Amendment Bill was ...

NZCTUBy Jeremiah Boniface

1 week ago
Seymour causes thousands of unjustified absences by forcing kids to fight for their rights instead o...

The State would like to remind you that they are in control. They manage your employment prospects, and can destroy the job market you and yours rely on by mass-cancelling construction projects, cutting funding, and firing a good chunk of our public servants. They wield the mechanisms that provide scrutiny ...

Sapphi’s SubstackBy Sapphi

1 week ago
The Weight of the World

As the weight of the world Hangs on your shoulders The weight of the world Starts to take over again And over again All that you once loved, now you hate So slowly relearn how to meditate To have and to hold And never let go Can you feel it ...

Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel

1 week ago
Thursday 14 November 2024

The Treaty Principles Bill is set to have its First Reading in the House today, as the Hīkoi mō Te Tiriti continues. More than 40 KCs have written to the Prime Minister and Attorney-General outlining their “grave concerns” about the substance of the Treaty Principles Bill, while an academic and ...

NZCTUBy Jeremiah Boniface

1 week ago
Trump’s return to White House brings the climate’s ‘find out’ phase closer

As we absorb the news of Trump's victory in the US Presidential election, here’s a wrap compiled just before the result of what it might mean for climate action: The UN Secretary General says the prospective departure of the United States would cripple the Paris Agreement, likening it to the ...

The KakaBy Bernard Hickey

1 week ago
Time and Space in the City Centre

Patrick Reynolds is deputy chair of the City Centre Advisory Panel. The header image is from Walthamstow, London The city centre now has a few stretches of street where the space has been repurposed to a people and place focused design from full time traffic use. These are a great ...

Greater AucklandBy Patrick Reynolds

1 week ago
An opportunity for a pro-growth tax switch

As the Hikoi against it swells into the tens of thousands, KCs call on National to kill off ACT’s divisive Treaty Principles Bill. Photo: Getty ImagesKia ora. Long stories short, here’s my top things to note in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Thursday, November 14: The ...

The KakaBy Bernard Hickey

1 week ago
Dealing to the big Aussie banks

The big question hovering over the Select Committee Inquiry into banking is what the Government will do with its findings. If yesterday’s hearing is anything to go by there is a tidal wave of discontent about the four big Australian Banks crashing through the Committee which may force it to ...

PolitikBy Richard Harman

1 week ago
20 fact briefs published in collaboration with Gigafact!

In April 2024 we announced the (renewed) collaboration between Gigafact and Skeptical Science to create fact briefs, short but credibly sourced summaries that offer “yes/no” answers in response to claims found online. Our initial plan had been to publish one fact brief per week on Saturdays but - as happens ...

Skeptical Science

1 week ago
Instead of axing the HRC, ACT corruptly installed a racist, transphobic “Gay Human Rights Commissi...

On November 5th, the Spinoff published a very interesting article on Stephen Rainbow, the Human Rights Commission’s latest recruitment, and how he came to get the controversial appointment. Naturally because of the excitement of the US election, it’s flown a little below the radar. https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/05-11-2024/i-didnt-get-the-hrc-job-stephen-rainbows-human-rights-commission-appointment-just-got-weirderThe article details evidence of the ...

Sapphi’s SubstackBy Sapphi

1 week ago
Injustice for torture

Between 1950 and 1993 the New Zealand government tortured and abused up to 250,000 children in residential care facilities. Yesterday, following formal findings from a royal commission, it finally apologised for that abuse. The next step is redress and restitution - compensating the surviving victims for the appalling harm they ...

No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant

1 week ago
Voices echo

Back onto the harbour bridge I go, my happy place for protesting.And it truly is a happy place, this day.Protests can bristle a lot, but this one is all heart. The WOMAD of protest marches. Families are safe and happy and a little one is pushing the trolley her older ...

More Than A FeildingBy David Slack

1 week ago
Hīkoi over the Harbour

Kia mau ra, kia mau raKi te mana motuhakeMe te arohaHold fast, hold fastTo your sovereigntyAnd to love and compassionLyrics: Hīrini Melbourne. “Ngā Iwi E passionately calls for unity among the peoples of the Pacific, a cause deeply cherished by Melbourne himself.”I sat at my desk this morning and thought ...

Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel

1 week ago

NZ’s global climate rankings plummet as Govt removes agriculture from ETS

The Government has passed legislation to remove agriculture from the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) while Aotearoa’s reputation on climate action plummets. ...

Greens

7 hours ago
Failed boot camp experiment must end

As legislation to set up boot camps passed its first reading, the Green Party urged the Government to abandon this failed policy experiment for the good of our rangatahi. ...

Greens

8 hours ago
Gender-affirming care must centre evidence and health needs, not political posturing

The Ministry of Health has today released an evidence brief regarding the use of puberty blockers in gender-affirming healthcare, amid moves by the government to limit access. ...

Greens

9 hours ago
Release: National doesn’t care about manufacturing

The National Government is walking away from our manufacturing sector with constant reports of closures and job losses. ...

Labour Blog

10 hours ago
Release: David Parker speech – Piketty, Inequality and Climate Change

David Parker's speech from the University of Auckland's forum on Piketty, Inequality and Climate Change in September 2024. ...

Labour Blog

10 hours ago
Release: Youth mental wellbeing no longer a priority for Child Poverty Minister

Louise Upston has revealed her diminished vision for vulnerable youth against a backdrop of snubbed advice, scrapped priorities, shifted goal posts and thousands more children projected to fall into poverty. ...

Labour Blog

12 hours ago
Release: National’s lack of climate action taking NZ backwards

National Government’s backward-looking climate policy has seen New Zealand fall seven places on the Climate Change Performance Index to 41 out of 63 countries measured. ...

Labour Blog

12 hours ago
Release: Simple reason for drop in emergency housing

When the Government says it has reduced the number of people in emergency housing, what it means is it is stopping people from accessing it in the first place. ...

Labour Blog

15 hours ago
Govt’s child wellbeing strategy ‘shallow and shameful’

The Government is turning its back on children by not only weakening child poverty reduction targets, but also removing child mental wellbeing as a priority focus in their Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy. ...

Greens

15 hours ago
Release: A historic win for Samoan communities

Labour warmly welcomes the Restoring Samoan Citizenship Bill as it passes its third reading, before becoming law. ...

Labour Blog

16 hours ago
Government plan to reinstate live animal exports a “national disgrace”

The Government has taken a giant step backwards by reinstating live animal exports. ...

Greens

1 day ago
Pasifika justice as Member’s Bill passes final reading

Teanau Tuiono’s Member’s Bill, the Citizenship (Western Samoa Restoration) Amendment Bill, has passed its third reading and will become law. ...

Greens

1 day ago
Release: Minister of Education thinks New Zealand ends at the Bombay Hills

The Minister of Education has shown complete disregard for rural communities and their school bus routes in Question Time today. ...

Labour Blog

1 day ago
Economists sound alarm on Government’s slash-and-burn approach

A group of prominent economists has released an open letter to the Government, raising grave concerns about the far-reaching consequences of its fiscal policy. ...

Greens

1 day ago
Release: Smoking numbers up under Costello’s watch

National’s repeal of Labour’s smokefree legislation has taken New Zealand further away from achieving a Smokefree 2025 and a smokefree generation. ...

Labour Blog

2 days ago
Release: Call for Palestine recognition by NZ, Australian and Canadian MPs

Parliamentarians from Australia, Canada and New Zealand have written an open letter to their respective Prime Ministers calling on them to recognise Palestine. ...

Labour Blog

2 days ago
Justice Select Committee opens floor for Treaty Principles submissions

Today, the Justice Select Committee has decided to officially open submissions for the controversial Treaty Principles Bill. ...

Greens

3 days ago
Power of the people on full display as hīkoi approaches Parliament

Today, Hīkoi mō te Tiriti arrived in Wellington, with thousands gathering to march in unity against the divisive Treaty Principles Bill. ...

Greens

3 days ago
Hypocrisy as Te Whatu Ora contractor bill balloons

Te Whatu Ora’s bill for contracting and consulting staff has ballooned by nearly 20 percent under the National Government, breaking a promise they made during the election campaign to cut contractors. ...

Labour Blog

4 days ago
Release: Growing pressure to scrap Section 7AA Repeal Bill

The newly released Section 7AA Repeal Bill's select committee report is further evidence that the Government should scrap it. ...

Labour Blog

4 days ago
Government’s move to monetise access to nature a slippery slope

The Green Party is voicing serious concerns over the Government’s proposal to charge for access to public conservation land, released today. ...

Greens

7 days ago
Green Party condemns the passage of Treaty Principles Bill

The Green Party condemns the passing of the Treaty Principles Bill at first reading, and is clear that the fight is not over. ...

Greens

1 week ago
Stand Up for Te Tiriti

Te Tiriti o Waitangi is our country’s founding document. It forms the basis of the relationship between Māori and the Crown – and the Aotearoa New Zealand we live in today. ...

Labour Blog

1 week ago
Release: Over 15,000 sign Labour’s open letter to Luxon

As the hīkoi to Parliament continues, Labour has sent an open letter to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in a last-ditch attempt to get him to kill the Treaty Principles Bill. ...

Labour Blog

1 week ago
Fast Track Bill threatens environment, climate and reputation

The fast-track legislation passing its second reading in Parliament is another step towards environmental ruin. ...

Greens

1 week ago
Greens join King’s Counsel in calling for Treaty Principles Bill to be abandoned

The Prime Minister must answer the call from a group of senior lawyers of the King’s Counsel to abandon the divisive Treaty Principles Bill. ...

Greens

1 week ago
Chris Hipkins’ apology statement to state and faith-based care survivors

...

Labour Blog

1 week ago
Release: Labour formally apologises to state and faith-based care survivors

Labour joins with the Government in unreservedly apologising for the abuse, neglect and trauma including torture in state and faith-based care and for ignoring the voices of survivors for too long. ...

Labour Blog

1 week ago
Green Party stands in support of survivors of abuse in care

Today, the Green Party stands alongside the survivors of abuse in state care and faith-based care as the Government issues an historic apology. ...

Greens

1 week ago
Green Party calls for conscience vote on Treaty Principles Bill

The Green Party has written to the Speaker of the House requesting he enable a personal vote on the Treaty Principles Bill. ...

Greens

1 week ago
Govt move to exclude journalist risks chilling effect

The Green Party is alarmed by the Government’s move to exclude a journalist from covering this week’s apology for the survivors of abuse in state and faith-based care. ...

Greens

1 week ago
Without action, an apology will be empty air

For tomorrow’s apology to survivors of abuse in state and faith-based care to hold any water, the Government must not pursue the same policies that drove the abuse in the first place. ...

Greens

2 weeks ago
Release: Concerns remain over tobacco interference

Concerns about the tobacco industry’s ability to interfere in government policy making remain, despite the inability of the Office of the Auditor-General to investigate the Government’s decision to halve the excise tax on heated tobacco products. ...

Labour Blog

2 weeks ago
Urgent wake-up call on climate

The Climate Change Commission’s latest advice indicates Aotearoa needs to be stepping up on climate action. ...

Greens

2 weeks ago
Green MP’s Meme-ber’s Bill set to save the world

Break out the punchlines and dust off your meme folder: Green Party MP Kahurangi Carter’s Copyright (Parody and Satire) Amendment Bill was pulled from the Ballot yesterday. ...

Greens

2 weeks ago
Release: Poroporoaki: Ta Robert (Bom) Gillies

Kua hinga te manawa kairākau o Te Rua Tekau Ma Waru Tiwhatiwha te po! Kakarauru i te po! Ka rapuhia kei hea koe kua riro! Haere e te Ika a Whiro ki o tini hoa kua ngaro atu ki te Pō ...

Labour Blog

2 weeks ago
Labour, Greens and Te Pāti Māori call on the Prime Minister to block the Treaty Principles Bill

The opposition parties stand united for an Aotearoa that honours Te Tiriti, rather than seeking to rewrite it. Labour, the Greens and Te Pāti Māori are working together against the Government’s divisive Treaty Principles Bill. ...

Greens

2 weeks ago
Release: Labour, Greens and Te Pāti Māori call on the Prime Minister to block the Treaty Principle...

The opposition parties stand united for an Aotearoa that honours Te Tiriti, rather than seeking to rewrite it. Labour, the Greens and Te Pāti Māori are working together against the Government’s divisive Treaty Principles Bill. ...

Labour Blog

2 weeks ago
NZ must pursue independent foreign policy

The Green Party says the need is greater than ever for Aotearoa New Zealand to pursue an independent foreign policy. ...

Greens

2 weeks ago
Release: Winston Peters must apologise

The Deputy Prime Minister should apologise to the public servant he named and blamed for something they did not do, and for misusing the rules of Parliament. ...

Labour Blog

2 weeks ago

Government action provides Southland farmers more time to meet plan requirements

The Government is taking action to ensure Southland farmers and growers are not affected by unreasonable regional farm plan deadlines, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds and Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard say.“Cabinet has agreed to provide more time for farmers and growers to comply with regional rules ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

8 hours ago
Bill reaffirms Government’s commitment to crack down on serious youth offending

The Oranga Tamariki (Responding to Serious Youth Offending) Bill had its first reading at Parliament today. The Bill reaffirms the Government’s commitment to crack down on serious youth offending, Minister for Children Karen Chhour says. “In recent years we have seen an unacceptable spike in youth offending. “This Bill makes ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

9 hours ago
Critical milestones for earthquake buildings review

Fairer, more sensible rules about managing earthquake risks are a step closer with the passing of legislation and the appointment of an independent chair to provide expert advice, Minister for Building and Construction Chris Penk says. “The Government is committed to reinvigorating our cities and regions to support economic growth, ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

9 hours ago
State of the art radiology machine for Auckland

People in Northland and Auckland will benefit from a new machine for cancer treatment installed at the Regional Cancer and Blood Service at Auckland City Hospital. The MV5 linear accelerator, or LINAC machine, officially opened today targets cancer tumours with pinpoint accuracy. Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says this new, ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

10 hours ago
Foreign Minister to visit Europe

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters will travel to Europe for high-level talks with France, Germany and the United Kingdom next week. "Since taking office almost a year ago, the Coalition Government has emphasised the importance we place on New Zealand's traditional and likeminded diplomatic and ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

10 hours ago
First arrests made under gang patch ban

Police have made their first arrests under the new gang patch legislation, with two gang members arrested, says Police Minister Mark Mitchell. “Just before 11 this morning, Police in Wairoa apprehended a gang member for wearing a patch to the supermarket. He has been arrested and will now face enforcement ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

12 hours ago
Better support for victims of sexual violence

The Government is proposing two major changes to name suppression laws that will put the views of victims of sexual violence first, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “We are committed to restoring law and order and these two proposed changes will help ensure the victims of crime are put at ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

12 hours ago
Government moving forward with Regional Deals

Cabinet has agreed to invite all regions to submit proposals for Regional Deals between central and local government that drive economic growth and deliver the infrastructure our country needs, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown and Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop say. Inviting all regions to propose a Regional Deal that boosts ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

13 hours ago
MSA pilot participant update

One of the ten young men selected to participate in the Military-Style Academy Pilot has allegedly reoffended. Children’s Minister Karen Chhour is disappointed but says it would be naïve to think that none of these young men would reoffend. “I’m saddened that this young person has not taken this opportunity ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

13 hours ago
Attendance rates increase, again

Associate Education Minister David Seymour says that school attendance is continuing to rise. In Term 3 of 2024 51.3 per cent of students attended school regularly, an increase of 5.3 percentage points from 46 per cent in Term 3 of 2023. “This Government has prioritised student attendance and it is ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

15 hours ago
Improving the lives of young New Zealanders

Ensuring New Zealand is the best place in the world for children and young people is the vision at the heart of the Government’s new Child and Youth Strategy, Child Poverty Reduction Minister Louise Upston says. “Childhood represents a huge opportunity to set people on a positive path towards living ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

18 hours ago
Government continues work to reinstate livestock exports by sea

The Government is reinstating the trade of livestock exports by sea while ensuring the highest standards of animal welfare, says Associate Minister of Agriculture Andrew Hoggard.“The Government will introduce legislation changes to reinstate the trade, enhance oversight, and strengthen requirements for exporters to identify risks and manage the welfare of ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

1 day ago
Speech to the National Quality Forum 2024

Tēnā koutou katoa – it is a pleasure to be here today. I would like to begin by acknowledging the important leadership role you all play in ensuring a quality health system New Zealanders can trust. There is enormous clinical expertise in this room covering a wide range of disciplines. ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

2 days ago
New Zealand’s COP29 National Statement

Tēnā koutou katoa. Mr President, Excellencies, Delegates. New Zealand, and all nations represented here today, are already dealing with the impacts of climate change. Our households, businesses, and economies are bearing the costs of its effects. The choices we make now will shape the severity of these impacts for generations ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

2 days ago
Latest Quarterly Investment Report released

The Government has released its second Quarterly Investment Report (QIR) which shows substantial work still to be done by agencies to improve investment reporting and meet the Government’s expectations, Infrastructure and Acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “New Zealand has significant infrastructure and investment needs. The Government is determined to get ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

2 days ago
New Zealand supporting loss and damage fund

Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced New Zealand will contribute NZ$10 million to the new Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage while at the annual United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan. “New Zealand is joining the global effort to address the significant challenge of responding to ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

2 days ago
Gang crackdown begins at stroke of midnight

The free ride for gangs is over when the clock strikes midnight tonight, with tough new laws officially coming into effect, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith and Police Minister Mark Mitchell say. “Gang patches will no longer be able to be worn in public. To earn the right to wear a ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

2 days ago
LGFA increases borrowing capacity to support high growth councils

The Government is welcoming the decision by the Local Government Funding Agency to increase access to financing tools for fast growing councils to support greater investment in critical infrastructure, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown says.“Communities across the country are facing an infrastructure deficit and significant population growth is projected in ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

2 days ago
Temporary Traffic Management costs revealed

The Government has revealed that over the past three years, the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) has spent an eyewatering $786 million of taxpayers’ money on road cones and temporary traffic management (TTM), Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“When I became Minister, I was surprised to learn that that NZTA did ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

2 days ago
Jurisdiction of Disputes Tribunal to double

Legislation that will double the financial jurisdiction of the Disputes Tribunal from $30,000 to $60,000 has passed first reading in Parliament today, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith. “We need to improve court timeliness and access to justice so that Kiwis and get on with their lives. Court delays affect everyone, the ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

2 days ago
Protecting New Zealand from foreign interference

Legislation that will specifically criminalise foreign interference and strengthen espionage offences has passed first reading in Parliament today, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “It is normal and appropriate for states to interact and work to influence one another. This encourages cooperation and can have mutually beneficial outcomes. “However, the reality ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

2 days ago
Significant milestone for Canterbury Road of National Significance

Transport Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed news that the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) Board has approved funding towards pre-implementation and early works on the State Highway 1 (SH1) Belfast to Pegasus Motorway and Woodend Bypass Road of National Significance (RoNS). “Reaching this significant milestone is a reflection of our Government’s ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

2 days ago
Health survey results to help drive change

Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says findings from the annual Health Survey highlight the need to continue driving better health outcomes for New Zealanders. The New Zealand Health Survey is an annual snapshot of key metrics measured from July 2023 – July 2024. Findings released this morning include: In 2023/24, ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

2 days ago
Final push needed to get to Smokefree 2025

A renewed effort to get people to quit smoking will build on what has worked to date and target the groups who most need support, Associate Health Minister Casey Costello said today. “The latest New Zealand Health Survey results show the daily smoking rate at 6.9 per cent and we ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

2 days ago
New diplomatic appointments

Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has announced four new diplomatic appointments. “Our diplomats play an important role in ensuring New Zealand’s interests are maintained and enhanced across the world,” Mr Peters says. “It is a pleasure to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the Ministry of Foreign ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

3 days ago
Next steps for Regulatory Standards Bill

Regulation Minister David Seymour has today announced the next steps in the Government’s plan improve the quality of regulation by opening consultation on a proposed Regulatory Standards Bill. “New Zealand's low wages can be blamed on low productivity, and low productivity can be blamed on poor regulation,” says Mr Seymour. ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

3 days ago
Red Tape Tipline goes live

Minister for Regulation David Seymour has today announced that the Ministry for Regulation’s Red Tape Tipline is now live. “We want to hear about your red tape horror stories. From today, New Zealanders will have a say on how they are regulated through an online portal,” says Mr Seymour. The ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

3 days ago
Youth Parliament 2025 announced

The Minister for Youth Matt Doocey has today announced the eleventh Youth Parliament will be taking place in 2025. “Youth Parliament offers a unique youth development opportunity to young people from across New Zealand to experience the political process and learn about how government works,” says Mr Doocey. “The two-day ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

3 days ago
Police stats show promising change

After nearly a year in Government, Kiwis have seen significant change across law and order with promising early results shown across some Police statistics, says Police Minister Mark Mitchell. “In August 2023, I told New Zealanders that if they had not started to see a change in public safety within ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

3 days ago
Better coordination of anti-scam efforts

With the launch of Fraud Awareness Week, the Government is committing to new coordination efforts across industry and government to combat online scams, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says. “Online financial scams are a growing problem for New Zealand. New data released today shows that Kiwis lost nearly ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

4 days ago
Minister to consider 7AA select committee report

Minister for Children Karen Chhour will consider the recommendations made by the Social Services and Community Committee in its report back to Parliament on the Oranga Tamariki (Repeal of Section 7AA) Amendment Bill. “I want to thank the people who made submissions and those who appeared before the committee in ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

4 days ago
Defence Minister to attend ASEAN meeting

Defence Minister Judith Collins will this week attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus in Vientiane, Laos. “We need to take every opportunity to engage with our international partners, given the increasingly unstable geo-political situation,” Ms Collins says. “New Zealand has a long-standing commitment to this ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

4 days ago
Launching the White Ribbon Ride

The Minister for the Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence, Karen Chhour, was on hand to wish riders well at the start of the North Island leg of the White Ribbon Ride in Whakatāne this morning. The ride helps mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

4 days ago
Construction to begin on next stage of Papakura to Drury

Construction on the next stage of the SH1 Papakura to Drury project will begin early next month, with the contract for works awarded to Fulton Hogan, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. "SH1 Papakura to Drury is a key project that will drive economic growth and productivity, reduce congestion, and enable people ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

6 days ago
NZ signs trade deal with Costa Rica, Iceland and Switzerland

Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay has signed a pioneering trade agreement that prioritises New Zealand’s sustainable exports at a ceremony during APEC in Peru today. “The Agreement on Trade and Sustainability (ACCTS), between Costa Rica, Iceland, and Switzerland was concluded in July of this year and opens up significant ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

6 days ago
Government and iwi work together on aquaculture

Five new Aquaculture Settlement Areas will help ensure Ngāi Tahu shares in the opportunities aquaculture offers for Southland’s economy, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. “The Aquaculture Settlement Areas (ASAs) I’m announcing today set aside space so the Crown and Ngāi Tahu can assess their potential for aquaculture development. ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

6 days ago
Government launches review to ensure electricity market is fit-for-purpose

The terms of reference for a review of the performance of the electricity market have been released. The review, initiated by the Coalition Government during the power crisis in winter will look at whether current regulations and market design support economic growth and access to reliable and affordable electricity, Energy Minister ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

7 days ago
Speech to Social Investment Hui: Jack and his whānau need our help

Kia ora koutou katoa. Nau mai, haere mai, piki mai. Ki te mihi atu ahau, ki te manwhenua nei, Te Atiawa, Ngāti toa rangatira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa. Thank you, Andy, for your introduction. Let me acknowledge you as the new Chief Executive of the Social Investment ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

7 days ago
Minister of State for Trade heads to Brisbane for PACER Plus meeting

Minister of State for Trade Nicola Grigg has travelled to Australia to attend the PACER Plus Ministers Meeting in Brisbane. “Trade plays a critical role in driving employment, economic growth, and improving the standards of living in the Pacific Region. The Government is strongly committed to supporting Pacific Island countries ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

7 days ago
Proposals to modernise conservation released

Toitū te taiao – Our environment endures The Government is consulting on proposals to modernise New Zealand’s conservation management system, aiming to protect relevant natural areas while supporting sustainable growth in tourism and regional economies, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says. “Today, the Department of Conservation – Te Papa Atawhai is ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

7 days ago

Grattan on Friday: Marles plays a defensive bat on nuclear as the government rushes to get though la...

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Richard Marles is an ambitious man who hasn’t given up the dream of one day reaching the top job. But, despite being deputy prime minister, his profile is much lower than that of Treasurer Jim ...

Evening ReportBy The Conversation

2 hours ago
NEW POLL: Kiwis Overwhelmingly Support MPs’ Expenses Transparency Law Change

62% of respondents support the extension of the OIA to cover MPs’ spending, compared to just 13% opposed and 24% were unsure. ...

Scoop politics

4 hours ago
The House: Meanwhile, a week of passing law

The political week has been packed with worthy distractions, but all week Parliament has focused on passing new laws. Here are the highlights. ...

Radio NZ – political

4 hours ago
The biggest difference between Hīkoi mō te Tiriti and past hīkoi: More support from non-Māori

Analysis - The diversity of voices during the hīkoi was noticeable - from tangata moana to young immigrants to elderly Pākehā from the South Island. ...

Radio NZ – political

5 hours ago
The House: Samoan citizenship restoration – ‘It means we belong to this land’

When the bill to restore NZ citizenship to some Samoans passed this week, Parliament's galleries were full to the brim with members of the community. ...

Radio NZ – political

6 hours ago
More Delays In Action On Use Of Puberty Blockers With Children

Women’s Rights Party Co-leader Jill Ovens says the Ministry has put New Zealand children at risk by continuing to allow “off-label” prescribing of puberty blockers at far higher rates than other similar countries. ...

Scoop politics

6 hours ago
Police Minister adamant he wasn’t aware of gang members training at gun clubs

That is despite two papers from police that raised the matter with him. ...

Radio NZ – political

7 hours ago
Shorten declares himself ‘a proud moderate’, saying Australians ‘in the middle’ shouldn’t ...

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Bill Shorten has declared himself “a proud moderate” in a valedictory speech declaring parliament has the responsibility to ensure the extremes of left and right do not set the terms of political debate. Shorten, ...

Evening ReportBy The Conversation

7 hours ago
New ‘best practice’ principles for superannuation products are coming. We asked a panel of exper...

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Matt Garrow, Editorial Web Developer Studio Romantic/Shutterstock We all know how important it is to save enough money for retirement – but what about spending it wisely when we get there? Even for those who have built up a suitable ...

Evening ReportBy The Conversation

7 hours ago
Government accused of betraying Kiwis’ trust over lack of consultation on live exports

The government has always vowed to reinstate live exports by sea, which was banned by the previous Labour government. ...

Radio NZ – political

8 hours ago
7 things you can do if you think you sweat too much

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael Freeman, Associate Professor of Dermatology, Bond University ERIK Miheyeu/Shutterstock Sweating is our body’s way of cooling down, a bit like an internal air conditioner. When our core temperature rises (because it’s hot outside, or you’re exercising), sweat glands all ...

Evening ReportBy The Conversation

8 hours ago
Phenergan for under 6s is now banned due to hallucination fears. Here’s what to use instead

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nial Wheate, Professor of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Macquarie University Australia’s drug regulator has issued a safety warning over the medicine Phenergan and related products containing the antihistamine drug promethazine. The Therapeutic Goods Administration said the over-the-counter products should not be given to children ...

Evening ReportBy The Conversation

8 hours ago
A new stage adaptation of Peter Carey’s Jack Maggs is a delightful homage to theatrical storytelli...

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Catherine Campbell, Lecturer, Performing Arts, UniSA Creative, University of South Australia Matt Byrne/STCSA Jack Maggs is a delight and a homage to theatrical storytelling in Australia. Based on Peter Carey’s bestselling novel, Jack Maggs follows the ex-convict as he lands ...

Evening ReportBy The Conversation

8 hours ago
The government has introduced laws for its social media ban. But key details are still missing

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Daniel Angus, Professor of Digital Communication, Director of QUT Digital Media Research Centre, Queensland University of Technology Ron Lach/Pexels The federal government today introduced into parliament legislation for its social media ban for people under 16 years. Communications Minister Michelle ...

Evening ReportBy The Conversation

8 hours ago
Archives NZ, National Library to cut 27 roles

The Department of Internal Affairs wants to bring the two organisations under the joint leadership of the Chief Archivist and National Librarian. ...

Radio NZ – political

8 hours ago
Gang patch ban: Members warn of potential for violence to ‘erupt’ as new laws enforced

"I can't see this lasting unless they have a budget to lock fullas up in jail which I think is absolutely stupid, really it's ludicrous," Ngavii Pekapo, who set up a Mongrel Mob chapter 54 years ago, says. ...

Radio NZ – political

9 hours ago
ACT leader David Seymour raises doubts about Waikato medical school

Government documents show ACT leader David Seymour told the government he was "dissatisfied" with a cost-benefit analysis. ...

Radio NZ – political

9 hours ago
National’s Erica Stanford allegedly calls Labour’s Jan Tinetti a ‘stupid bitch&#82...

The Education Minister has apologised in Parliament for her remark. ...

Radio NZ – political

9 hours ago
Labour backs new Police Commissioner – but warns against routine arming

The alternative to policing by consent would be a police state, which New Zealanders don't want, the party says. ...

Radio NZ – political

10 hours ago
Youth on boot camp pilot re-offended five weeks after release

Children's Minister Karen Chhour said while it was disappointing, it would naïve to think none of the participants would lapse. ...

Radio NZ – political

11 hours ago
In photos: People of the hīkoi, and why they marched

Hikoi mō Te Tiriti has come to an end, going down in history as the largest march to Parliament in Aotearoa. ...

Radio NZ – political

11 hours ago
‘Everything is becoming a culture war’: Jon Ronson on conspiracies and cycleways

Ahead of his appearance in Aotearoa, the acclaimed British journalist, podcaster and documentarian talks to Stewart Sowman-Lund about why people are still fascinated by the fringes. The last place I would expect to find Jon Ronson is relaxing in the countryside. The iconic British journalist and writer is best known ...

The SpinoffBy Stewart Sowman-Lund

11 hours ago
Kia kaha Lebanon: NZ media only tell half your story of struggle

The United States has vetoed a UN Security Council ceasefire resolution — for the fourth time — in Israel’s war on Gaza, while Hezbollah demands a complete ceasefire and “protection of Lebanon’s sovereignty” in any deal with Israel. Amid the death and devastation, Joe Hendren reflects on his time in ...

Evening ReportBy Asia Pacific Report

12 hours ago
‘Deserves a Bafta’: After the Party premieres in the UK to five-star reviews

The acclaimed New Zealand drama has just premiered on TV in the United Kingdom, and the five-star reviews are already flowing in. Six months after it was called a “blistering” “tour de force” by Australian critics, and nearly a year since The Spinoff declared it the best drama New Zealand ...

The SpinoffBy Alex Casey

12 hours ago
Drugs are getting cheaper and easier to find in Aotearoa

New Zealanders are drinking and smoking less, but most other recreational drugs are becoming cheaper, more popular and more available, two new reports show. Two significant new surveys about drugs in Aotearoa were released this week, offering a rare insight into New Zealanders’ choice of substances, which ones are becoming ...

The SpinoffBy Joel MacManus

12 hours ago
COP29: ‘climate finance’ for the Pacific is mostly loans, saddling small island nations with mor...

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Steven Ratuva, Director, Macmillan Brown Centre for Pacific Studies, University of Canterbury Lenora Qereqeretabua, the deputy speaker of Fiji’s Parliament, at the COP29 climate summit. IISD/ENB/Mike Muzurakis, CC BY-SA As this year’s UN climate summit reaches its final stage of negotiations, Pacific ...

Evening ReportBy The Conversation

13 hours ago
Review: The magic of Wicked and the curse of corporate greed

The new movie musical is undoubtedly a fun watch, but it’s also proof that bigger isn’t always better, writes Stewart Sowman-Lund. Contains minor spoilers for Wicked. There’s no doubt that Wicked is going to be huge. No other pop culture event this year, save from maybe Charli XCX’s Brat, has ...

The SpinoffBy Stewart Sowman-Lund

13 hours ago
Dame Jacinda Ardern to be given United Nations leadership award

She will get the champion for global change award from the United Nations Foundation at a ceremony in New York tomorrow. ...

Radio NZ – political

15 hours ago
NZ will resume live animal exports – to low demand

Analysis: NZ is lifting what was supposed to be a permanent ban on live animal exports. But it’s not the lucrative industry it once was. The post NZ will resume live animal exports – to low demand appeared first on Newsroom. ...

NewsroomBy Jonathan Milne

15 hours ago
Financial forms of family violence affect one in seven of us – but the law is lagging

There are calls for New Zealand’s Family Violence Act to name economic harm as a standalone type of violence, rather than a subcategory of psychological abuse, to bring it in line with the United Kingdom and Australia. Economic harm – restricting access to, sabotaging or exploiting another person’s financial resources, ...

The SpinoffBy Ayesha Scott

15 hours ago
Downside Risks To Treasury’s Economic And Fiscal Forecasts

New Zealand is currently running a structural fiscal deficit, with expenditure exceeding revenue. Economic growth falling short of expectations has been making it harder for the Government to bring the books back into balance. ...

Scoop politics

15 hours ago
Science continues to exclude Indigenous communities. Fixing this benefits everyone

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jordan Peter Anthony Pitt, Associate Dean of Indigenous Strategy and Services (Faculty of Science), University of Sydney An enduring challenge facing science around the world is how to best include and engage Indigenous communities. In Australia, for example, 0.5% of Indigenous ...

Evening ReportBy The Conversation

16 hours ago
Why is cricket so popular on the Indian sub-continent?

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Vaughan Cruickshank, Senior Lecturer in Health and Physical Education, University of Tasmania Cricket originated in England, but has been spread worldwide by British soldiers and settlers in the past few hundred years. It is now the second most popular sport in ...

Evening ReportBy The Conversation

16 hours ago
Disinformation and deepfakes played a part in the US election. Australia should expect the same

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Renee Barnes, Associate professor of Journalism, University of the Sunshine Coast Mladen Zivkovic/Shutterstock As America takes stock after Donald Trump’s re-election to the presidency, it’s worth highlighting the AI-generated fake photos, videos and audio shared during the campaign. A slew ...

Evening ReportBy The Conversation

16 hours ago
Is thunderstorm asthma becoming more common?

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kira Morgan Hughes, PhD Candidate in Allergy and Asthma, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University When spring arrives, so do warnings about thunderstorm asthma. But a decade ago, most of us hadn’t heard of it. So where did thunderstorm asthma ...

Evening ReportBy The Conversation

16 hours ago
Overwhelmed by ever more clothing donations, charities are exporting the problem. Local governments ...

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Yassie Samie, Postdoctoral Researcher in Fashion and Textiles, RMIT University anna.spoka/Shutterstock What happens to your clothes after you don’t want them any more? Chances are, you will donate them to op shops run by a charity organisation. There are more ...

Evening ReportBy The Conversation

16 hours ago
Friendly fire: a nuclear push by allies at COP29 poses a sticky problem for Albanese

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Quiggin, Professor, School of Economics, The University of Queensland IndustryAndTravel/Shutterstock Prime Minister Anthony Albanese didn’t see this coming. At the global COP29 climate talks in Baku, the Australian government was indirectly criticised by two allies, the United States and the ...

Evening ReportBy The Conversation

16 hours ago
Nugget Is Dead brings queer love, multiculturalism and Aussie flair to the Christmas movie formula

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Phoebe Hart, Associate Professor, Film Screen & Animation, Queensland University of Technology Julia Firak Stan’s new Christmas film Nugget is Dead is a colourful production that follows the rules of the seasonal genre film to a tee – with an Aussie ...

Evening ReportBy The Conversation

16 hours ago
Help Me Hera: Should I cut contact with my ex-stepdad?

My parents are finally getting divorced. So why do I feel like my stepdad’s feelings are still my problem? Want Hera’s help? Email your problem to helpme@thespinoff.co.nz Dear Hera My parents recently announced their separation. This in itself isn’t a problem. I’ve already gone through this once before in my early childhood, so ...

The SpinoffBy Hera Lindsay Bird

16 hours ago
New Zealand Drops In Global Ranking On Climate Action

If the government won’t hold polluters to account, then people will. People are increasingly taking to the streets and the courtrooms, putting their bodies on the line to shut down polluting industries. This will only escalate further unless New ...

Scoop politics

16 hours ago

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Far right Canadian activist wants to come to New Zealand to insult local communities

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