Goldsmith removing Goldsmith signs

Written By: - Date published: 10:31 am, November 16th, 2011 - 80 comments
Categories: election 2011, national - Tags: ,

Most politicians crave attention, especially when they’re trying to win an electorate.  Not so National’s Paul Goldsmith!  A Standard reader (ht Jaynam) snapped these pictures of Goldsmith removing (apparently “unofficial”) Goldsmith electoral signs.  It’s almost as if he doesn’t want to get elected!

80 comments on “Goldsmith removing Goldsmith signs ”

  1. Craig Glen Eden 1

    Thats sad, or should that be sharfted, for John Key’s Gimp no less!

  2. Uturn 2

    I have to stand up for the principle here. Today, photos taken of National party candidates removing signs – without their knowing – getting into their cars and driving away. Tomorrow, photos of everyday people getting into cars, being taken without their knowing, with possibly some of those cars having a road accident. Would you really want that on your conscience? I’m calling the cops.

    • felix 2.1

      I agree.

      I’m not at all bothered about these photos, but what if a married couple were out one night setting fire to trees and you snapped a picture of them and then their children were burned at the stake as heretics?

      Eh? What about that?

      • Uturn 2.1.1

        It would be unethical. I have it on good authority that the person who took these photos lay in wait. Yes, it’s true. No accident at all. Not only are they linked to a left-leaning website, but they actively encourage further incidences. When will the Left decry this vicious behaviour?

        • Ari 2.1.1.1

          I’d be perfectly happy for a right-leaning journalist or citizen to engage in similar behaviour against a left-wing politician who was doing something I consider unethical, so I don’t see why it should be decried. Paul Goldsmith doesn’t have an expectation of privacy when he’s doing things that relate to his campaign or policies.

          Now, I’m all for leaving people’s love lives out of the media when they don’t show family values types up as hypocrites, but that’s a different thing from saying that we shouldn’t have citizen journalists snapping photos of politicians doing idiotic things.

      • Blighty 2.1.2

        This is just like when the paparazzi took photos of Princess Diana dying in a Parisian tunnel.

        • mickysavage 2.1.2.1

          Well I guess perversely this will result in the death of Goldsmith’s desire NOT to be elected.

          In a really weird way this photo of his removing his advertising may INCREASE his chances of being elected the MP for Epsom.

          My head hurts … 

      • Lanthanide 2.1.3

        It’s all a terribly slippery slope.

        What happens next when two politicians in a marriage of convenience talk about doing away with their doddery old godfather, only for that to be published in the Sunday news paper and then the doddery old godfather was done away with?

        h/t: boyfriend.

        • lprent 2.1.3.1

          Terrible invasion of privacy. Even more since those dastardly politicians put in laws that could make you a criminal for not reporting such conspiracies to break the law…

          Terrible how they insist that you do the right thing… (while doing something different).

          It’s all just so BORA

    • fmacskasy 2.2

      Heh heh heh… I missed your satire at first… I need more coffee in my bloodstream…

  3. jaymam 3

    The signs are identical to his official business card here:
    http://i44.tinypic.com/6tkcr5.jpg

    There’s a valid authorisation statement, and Goldsmith was handing out smaller versions last week to anyone who wanted one.

    I think we could all help Paul Goldsmith immensely if thousands of those were printed out and put everywhere around Epsom, Remuera, Mt Eden and Parnell. And in letter boxes. We don’t want him to lose the seat do we? And National must be running out of money if they don’t have any Goldsmith signs up. I’ve not seen any election pamplets from National in my letter box. How will the Epsom voters know who to vote for?

    There is a precedent for these small signs. Last election Rodney Hide had lots of them around Epsom and the Council didn’t remove them after being asked to several times.
    http://i42.tinypic.com/2rpuvld.jpg

    National also had similar small signs. So, it’s obviously OK to put little signs everywhere.

  4. Oh that is cruel.  Pauley was only wanting to make sure that his signs did not get wet and I am sure that he will put them back up.  He does want to get re elected, doesn’t he?

  5. randal 5

    when is kweewee going to start whingeing about this.
    call the cops immediately.

  6. lprent 6

    Amusing. While I was looking up goldsmiths elected record, I saw that TV3 picked up the story.

    http://www.3news.co.nz/Nationals-Epsom-candidate-removes-National-billboards/tabid/419/articleID/232913/Default.aspx

  7. ghostwhowalksnz 7

    Even his standard candidate signs of the normal size , have been changed in the last weeks to only be a picture of Key and party vote national.

    Reminds of the old war story : The Man Who Never Was. But this is the reverse,
    The Man who no longer isn’t

  8. Craig Glen Eden 8

    John Key: Ok enough is enough first the left put the correct and truthful wording on our billboards now the left are choosing to help our candidate win Epsom, morally Im outraged our paid contractors get paid good money to put up signs the left have like volunteers like free volunteers who do it for political reasons.How can we compete with that? Don’t ask me about this tomorrow because I wont remember and no I don’t want to see the transcript of what I just said Duncan!

  9. Rodel 9

    I don’t vote for Winston but he summed it up. (Stuff.co.nz)

    ‘Peters said it was “bizarre” that Key was “telling” people of an electorate to vote for another party.
    “It is bizarre for a candidate to campaign for an opponent,” he said. ‘

    When you think about it it really is bizarre behaviour…almost…unstable?

    • Nick C 9.1

      Bizzare that they are campaigning for an opponent?

      By that I assume you mean it is bizzare that left wing activists are sticking up hoardings of Paul Goldsmith?

      • Ari 9.1.1

        No more bizarre than National saying they wouldn’t be undisappointed if you don’t vote for John Banks in Epsom.

  10. jaundiced 10

    Is the left so short of policy that we resort to these sorts of tactics to get to the voters?

    • Lanthanide 10.1

      I’m not sure if you noticed, but the photo is of Goldsmith, the National candidate, removing signs for Goldsmith.

      This post is about National’s candidate deliberately trying to lose the electorate he’s contesting. It has nothing to do with “the left” “[trying] to get the voters”.

      • jaundiced 10.1.1

        I did notice this, but also noticed the “apparently ‘unofficial'” comment in the opening sentences that indicates Goldsmith is removing something that is not his publicity material, plus what seems to be paparazzo-like stalking to get photos, plus Jaymam’s comments @10:06am, plus the work of the Green Party activists revealed yesterday.

        It all adds up to a rather poor showing. I can’t help thinking that if this were happening to Labour’s campaign then the cries of outrage would be deafening

        • jaymam 10.1.1.1

          The signs were merely a copy of Goldsmith’s publicity material that he was handing out last week which were authorised by him.
          Goldsmith was not being stalked. The photographer was merely photographing who was removing the signs. Now that it looks like it’s Goldsmith removing them, that is perfectly fine. If he doesn’t want to publicise his candidacy in Epsom that is his choice. But that makes the Epsom election look like a sham.

          • Andrew Scobie 10.1.1.1.1

            question … why would you say: “The photographer was merely photographing who was removing the signs” in this reply, and then say … “I lay in waiting to see who it was and took a lot of photos” 

            So when you say, “the photographer”, were you actually talking about yourself?  

          • Andrew Scobie 10.1.1.1.2

            I also note that you have this to say: “Goldsmith was not being stalked”. But then in your comment on the other post, you say “I lay in waiting to see who it was and took a lot of photos”

            I don’t know about you, but if it looks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, then ………  

      • Andrew Scobie 10.1.2

        “I’m not sure if you noticed, but the photo is of Goldsmith, the National candidate, removing signs for Goldsmith.”

        I guess the question i want answered is: were they his own signs, or had someone else made them up and put them everywhere, in which case he should be removing them. 

        • McFlock 10.1.2.1

          Why?

          If they are NOT his signs, then surely they belong to someone else? Is he stealing signs?! Egad!
          If they are copies of his publicity material, then they are hardly misleading.

    • Ianupnorth 10.2

      What tactics? Goldsmith is removing HIS signs to encourage his electorate to vote in Act!
       
      At least left leaning parties actually have new policy and have attempted to debate these, except the Nats fail to front.

      • rosy 10.2.1

        I did wonder why he was doing this and not some supporter. Surely Goldsmith something better to do with his campaigning time… and then I remembered he doesn’t.

  11. jaymam 11

    The sign that Goldsmith removed was in an area authorised by Auckland Council for election billboards. It was not under the dripline of a tree. The sign was not put there by Labour or Green members or supporters but by someone who has been a long-time National supporter who is disgusted by the tactics of Brash and Banks and doesn’t want them in Parliament again.

  12. In Vino Veritas 12

    What a crock of shit (and apologies for the language). This is just a beat up by some LLWT who has blown up a copy of Goldsmiths business card. Have a look at the sign he’s taking away (which he is legally obliged to do, but that’s also probably escaped everyones attention as well).

    I guess desperate times call for desperate measures jaymam, don’t they?

  13. randal 13

    ghost who walks.
    the wairarapa national candidate wont even put his piccy on his billboards.
    he has become repugnant to the whole electorate.

    • Hami Shearlie 13.1

      Don’t blame them – what a twit!! Ever seen him on BackBenchers? JK talks about old people – John Hayes looks about 90!

  14. So its come to this huh.

  15. As a relative new comer to NZ political machinations, can anyone explain to me why Banks has to win and why voting for Goldsmith who obviously does not want to be elected would be a bad thing for National. I’m flumoxed!

    • Ianupnorth 15.1

      Because Banks would win an electorate seat which means Act would be entitled to list MP’s comparable to the total party vote they gain. If they fail to get 5% of the party vote and do not win an actual electorate seat they would be out of government.

    • Uturn 15.2

      It’s a bob-each-way bet from National. Earlier internal National Party polling showed their support dropping below what they’d need for a majority government, so they needed an ally like ACT to make certain. ACT of course would disappear if they didn’t get a seat handed to them, because their support is projected at below 5%. So everyone was waiting for Key to have the now infamous tea party to tell Epsom National supporters to hand ACT a seat in the form of electing Banks.

    • Carol 15.3

      The Nact coalition would get more MPs. If the National candidate for Espom gets elected, that’s one MP. If the Act candidate gets elected, being a small party, he can bring with him to parliament up to maybe 3 more MPs, based on the percentage of party votes that Act gets, even though it’s below the 5% threshold for party votes. Without an electorate candidate, Act would have to rely on getting over the 5% threshold of party votes to get any MPs.

      A loophole in MMP that needs to be fixed.

      • travellerev 15.3.1

        Thank you so much for the information. Now I get the hold the nose and vote for Goldsmith remark. National must be getting scared. Sounds to me like Epsom progressive voters are going to have to have to swallow a dead rat and vote for Goldsmith to get the racist bigoted bastards out of government.

        • Fermionic Interference 15.3.1.1

          Not so much holding the nose to be honest EV.
          Goldsmith will enter parliament next term off Nationals list.
          It’s that simple to anyone who abhors Act, vote for Goldsmith hell be there anyway.
          What could be so hard about voting for a candidate who will be in parliament next
          term no matter what.

          As I have always understood the way to vote (this was especially true under FPP)
          has a major structural point in regard to voting for the least evil option in a two
          horse race.

  16. The past voting records of the majority of Epsom,voters show they are a lot of Tory sheep. The majority are a lot of rich selfish die inthe wool Tories. They deserve a prick like Banks and they are welcome to him.

  17. jaymam 17

    It has been suggested in replies to news stories elsewhere that there is no evidence that Goldsmith was actually removing the sign.

    Here he is striding towards the inoffensive sign:
    http://i44.tinypic.com/2vns0p3.jpg

    Is he taking a cellphone picture of it, or just telling HQ “we have a problem”?

    Here he is taking the sign away to put into his 2009 Toyota Highlander:

    http://i40.tinypic.com/2u3xenl.jpg

    • r0b 17.1

      Jaymam – Radio NZ wants to interview you – see comment here: http://thestandard.org.nz/a-wee-reminder/#comment-401617

    • Uturn 17.2

      Ah, I see where the misunderstanding has occurred. In the first photo he is merely taking an innocent lunctime stroll. It’s election time and grass is scarce in Epsom. Why wouldn’t he pass one of his own signs?

      In the second photo he is actually walking from his car, to place the sign… backwards… for efficiency’s sake. It’s clear he did not have relations with those signs.

      You don’t need to search the vehicle. These aren’t the signs you’re looking for. Move along. MOVE ALONG.

  18. Michael 18

    Forgive me, but a question, did not those photos provide clear evidence of an act of theft by a prospective member of parliament?

  19. Herodotus 19

    Should Lab or a left leaning govt be formed, that the election campaign encompasses 1st April. Then this, the stickers, a rumoured walk out would be appropiate. We could co-ordinate them all to fall on the 1st, I would how many people would get the jokes- perhaps even the leaders debate could be scheduled. Especially with the seriousness of students these days 1st has lost alot of its lustre. Anyone remember the mickey mouse add ons to the town clock in Jafaland?? 😎
    Even the seriousness of an election can have lighter hearted moments

  20. anne 20

    You can bet that he has been ordered to by the head honcho’s,we may just get a ‘Im out of the
    race statement’ but would those souls in epsom want to see act,brash,banks in parliament?
    I doubt it,but who knows.

  21. Carol 21

    Goldsmith, on National Radio, has accused a Standardista as being complicit in a dirty tricks campaign:

    http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/election-2011/91233/epsom-candidate-says-party-sign-incident-a-set-up

    Mr Goldsmith was campaigning on Shore Road in Remuera on Wednesday morning when he says he discovered five purported National signs, that did not carry party authorisation as required by law.

    He said photographs of him removing the signs and putting them in his car were put up a short time later on a left-wing blog.

    “Clearly someone was lying in wait with a camera, and I’m not interested in those sorts of silly games.

    “It’s quite a serious matter to stick up signs in an unauthorised manner, and it’s dirty tricks.”

    At least this time an MSM article has referred to The Standard as left wing, and not associtated it with “Labour”.

    • jaymam 21.1

      “National signs, that did not carry party authorisation as required by law”
      Well that’s not true, because the signs all said “Authorised by Paul Goldsmith” with his address.

      Here’s a copy of the sign that I found on the web:
      http://i44.tinypic.com/6tkcr5.jpg
      See the authorisation at at bottom left.

      However the whole point is that he appears to not want any signs promoting him as a candidate.
      There are all these National people out here who want to vote for him, and they should at least know his name. We might accidentally vote for the wrong person.

    • Ianupnorth 21.2

      I heard him, sounding like a little cry baby – just like his cry baby, dummy spitting, bully boy boss.

    • ianmac 21.3

      Well there you are. The Standard will be referred to the Electoral Commission and the Police as clearly it is a conspiracy of the Standard organisation.
      Actually is it unlawful to put signs out for a candidate, as opposed to removing a candidate’s signs?

      • lprent 21.3.1

        Yeah right. One of the authors (not even an aucklander) sees a link to newsworthy photos in the comment stream and pops them up as a post. Goes up as The Standard since it wasn’t material from the author.

  22. Paul Campbell 22

    It seems to me that it’s Mr Goldsmith who needs to be referred to the police, he’s stealing other people’s signs.

    (as are the greens who are removing other people’s paste ups from the nat’s signs)

  23. I thought the object of the exercise was to get elected?

  24. Jenny 24

    It’s almost as if he doesn’t want to get elected!

    Of course he doesn’t.

    As ACT and National are both party to a conspiracy to get an unelectable extremist (Don Brash) into parliament through back door methods.

    Don Brash seized control of the ACT Party leadership while still a member of the National Party. On replacing Rodney Hide as the leader of the ACT Party, Don Brash then went on to sack Hide as the Epsom candidate.

    Despite taking Hide’s leadership role and sacking him as the candidate for Epsom. Brash as the new leader of ACT chose not to stand in Epsom himself, deciding instead to get into parliament by putting up a front guy, (John Banks) to run for him.

    The inescapable conclusion is that Brash knows that his views are considered to extreme even in the most conservative electorate in the country.

    However it seems that the voters of Epsom can’t be taken for granted after all. All polls show that Paul Goldsmith is leading as across the board the people of Epsom are wisely rejecting this stitch up.

    The canny voters of Epsom are wary of letting an unacountable extremist who seeks no mandate, even from them, into parliament.

    • Mac1 24.1

      Especially one who was out-performed as he was in the minor party’s leader debate- by all.

      • Jenny 24.1.1


        The only ones mad keen on seeing Brash in parliament are his billionaire paymasters.

        When Brash, after being pitchforked into the leadership of the National Party by this lobby, proved to be a disaster for all. Brash’s backers then used their money and power in a raid to take over the ACT Party.

        The hope was to parley ACT’s position as a support to party for the government, to get their ‘man’ into a cabinet position. (preferably finance minister)

        Greed and power and money and back door double dealing and insider trading, may be the normal mode of behaviour for the money traders.

        But under the antiseptic light of day, and under the public scrutiny of the democratic process it all looks sordid and grubby and corrupt.

  25. fender 25

    Nice work and keep on the trail jaymam, I want to see a photo of Goldsmith driving an ACT vehicle.

  26. Mike 26

    It is not the first time that National have shafted one of their own candidates to allow one of their rubberstampers to enjoy an easier ride to the top. Question is: do Epsom voters want someone in parliament to represent them, or just someone who is only interested in pushing his own extremist agenda with scant regard for any of the electors he claims to represent. Judging from the last election it seems to be the latter but there is wisdom in the old saying: be careful what you wish for, it might come true.

  27. In Vino Veritas 27

    How very funny. I see in the Herald this morning that Goldsmith says the signs were a sill stunt by left wingers and put out in an unauthorised and illegal spot. The dim witted moron that produced them, and put them up couldnt even get that right. Symptomatic.

    • jaymam 27.1

      Why would anyone trust anything that Goldsmith says? He’s wrong. The signs were in an area allocated for election signs. Rodney Hide had one there last election.
      They were not put there by a left winger.

  28. jaymam 28

    A new completely legal Goldsmith sign in Epsom:
    http://i43.tinypic.com/f3b3a0.jpg

    As we know, there is a surprising absence of billboards for the Epsom candidate who will almost certainly win the seat. This actual sign was given to me by Paul Goldsmith himself last week. It has an authorisation notice as legally required. It is installed an area designated by Auckland Council for election billboards. There are quite a few there already. There is allowed to be only the one sign per candidate on any one site. That’s fine because there are no others for Goldsmith anywhere. This is it! There’s a National Party sign behind it, plus the biggest Banks sign you’ve ever seen.

    That is the same actual site where Goldsmith was photographed removing a sign advertising himself that was not of legal height above the ground. You may have seen that photo in the Herald, TV3 etc. Feel free to use these photos anywhere, especially TV3 and the Herald (who already have my email address).

    This sign has 1500mm clearance above the ground, is securely braced with supports at 45 degrees to the sign etc.
    Here’s another photo of the sign.
    http://i40.tinypic.com/16jk32p.jpg

    It’s not very big is it? But it’s completely legal, so there is no justification for removing it. I think it would be nice to have one at all the other Epsom sites as well. Paul is not giving his cards away at candidate meetings any more so he has plenty to spare. And they are printed already! I’ll donate the timber.

    As I’ve said before, I am not a supporter or member of any left wing party. I’ve voted for National more than any other party, and I shall vote for Goldsmith this election. I think ACT have lost their way, even though I agree with a few of their policies.

    • lprent 28.1

      Ummm. This could be interesting to watch.

      • jaymam 28.1.1

        I meant to mention that there are 10 CCTV cameras in this area (that I am aware of), in order to catch taggers and vandals and thieves. This is now a lovely crime-free area.

        Thank you for allowing me to post at The Standard.
        Since Whaleoil changed his blog to a new layout, I have been unable to post there since my browser doesn’t work on the new layout. And I have trouble logging in to Kiwiblog so have not posted there in ages. My name is slightly different at those blogs.

    • fmacskasy 28.2

      Oh my gods – Jaymam, your sense of humour and ability to think outside the square make you one-of-a-kind…

      I hope you’ve sent these pics to TV3, et al. This is the kind of off-beat humour that the media luv!!

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    Geoffrey Miller writes – Timing is everything. And from China’s perspective, this week’s visit by its foreign minister to New Zealand could be coming at just the right moment. The visit by Wang Yi to Wellington will be his first since 2017. Anniversaries are important to Beijing. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago
  • Gordon Campbell on Dune 2, and images of Islam
    Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture ...
    1 day ago
  • New Rail Operations Centre Promises Better Train Services
    Last week Transport Minster Simeon Brown and Mayor Wayne Brown opened the new Auckland Rail Operations Centre. The new train control centre will see teams from KiwiRail, Auckland Transport and Auckland One Rail working more closely together to improve train services across the city. The Auckland Rail Operations Centre in ...
    1 day ago
  • Bernard's six newsy things at 6.36am on Monday, March 18
    Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Retiring former Labour Finance Minister Grant Robertson said in an exit interview with Q+A yesterday the Government can and should sustain more debt to invest in infrastructure for future generations. Elsewhere in the news in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy at 6:36am: Read more ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Geoffrey Miller: Wang Yi’s perfectly-timed, Aukus-themed visit to New Zealand
    Timing is everything. And from China’s perspective, this week’s visit by its foreign minister to New Zealand could be coming at just the right moment. The visit by Wang Yi to Wellington will be his first since 2017. Anniversaries are important to Beijing. It is more than just a happy ...
    Democracy ProjectBy Geoffrey Miller
    1 day ago
  • The Kaka’s diary for the week to March 25 and beyond
    TL;DR: The key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to March 18 include:China’s Foreign Minister visiting Wellington today;A post-cabinet news conference this afternoon; the resumption of Parliament on Tuesday for two weeks before Easter;retiring former Labour Finance Minister Grant Robertson gives his valedictory speech in Parliament; ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Bitter and angry; Winston First
    New Zealand First Leader Winston Peters’s state-of-the-nation speech on Sunday was really a state-of-Winston-First speech. He barely mentioned any of the Government’s key policies and could not even wholly endorse its signature income tax cuts. Instead, he rehearsed all of his complaints about the Ardern Government, including an extraordinary claim ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    2 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #11
    A listing of 35 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, March 10, 2024 thru Sat, March 16, 2024. Story of the week This week we'll give you a little glimpse into how we collect links to share and ...
    2 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #11
    A listing of 35 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, March 10, 2024 thru Sat, March 16, 2024. Story of the week This week we'll give you a little glimpse into how we collect links to share and ...
    2 days ago
  • Out of Touch.
    “I’ve been internalising a really complicated situation in my head.”When they kept telling us we should wait until we get to know him, were they taking the piss? Was it a case of, if you think this is bad, wait till you get to know the real Christopher, after the ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago
  • Bring out your Dad
    Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • Bring out your Dad
    Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • Bring out your Dad
    Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • The bewildering world of Chris Luxon – Guns for all, not no lunch for kids
    .“$10 and a target that bleeds” - Bleeding Targets for Under $10!.Thanks for reading Frankly Speaking ! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.This government appears hell-bent on either scrapping life-saving legislation or reintroducing things that - frustrated critics insist - will be dangerous and likely ...
    Frankly SpeakingBy Frank Macskasy
    3 days ago
  • Expert Opinion: Ageing Boomers, Laurie & Les, Talk Politics.
    It hardly strikes me as fair to criticise a government for doing exactly what it said it was going to do. For actually keeping its promises.”THUNDER WAS PLAYING TAG with lightning flashes amongst the distant peaks. Its rolling cadences interrupted by the here-I-come-here-I-go Doppler effect of the occasional passing car. ...
    3 days ago
  • Manufacturing The Truth.
    Subversive & Disruptive Technologies: Just as happened with that other great regulator of the masses, the Medieval Church, the advent of a new and hard-to-control technology – the Internet –  is weakening the ties that bind. Then, and now, those who enjoy a monopoly on the dissemination of lies, cannot and will ...
    3 days ago
  • A Powerful Sensation of Déjà Vu.
    Been Here Before: To find the precedents for what this Coalition Government is proposing, it is necessary to return to the “glory days” of Muldoonism.THE COALITION GOVERNMENT has celebrated its first 100 days in office by checking-off the last of its listed commitments. It remains, however, an angry government. It ...
    3 days ago
  • Can you guess where world attention is focussed (according to Greenpeace)? It’s focussed on an EPA...
    Bob Edlin writes –  And what is the world watching today…? The email newsletter from Associated Press which landed in our mailbox early this morning advised: In the news today: The father of a school shooter has been found guilty of involuntary manslaughter; prosecutors in Trump’s hush-money case ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago
  • Further integrity problems for the Greens in suspending MP Darleen Tana
    Bryce Edwards writes – Is another Green MP on their way out? And are the Greens severely tarnished by another integrity scandal? For the second time in three months, the Green Party has secretly suspended an MP over integrity issues. Mystery is surrounding the party’s decision to ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • Jacqui Van Der Kaay: Greens’ transparency missing in action
    For the last few years, the Green Party has been the party that has managed to avoid the plague of multiple scandals that have beleaguered other political parties. It appears that their luck has run out with a second scandal which, unfortunately for them, coincided with Golraz Ghahraman, the focus ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    3 days ago
  • Bernard’s Dawn Chorus with six newsey things at 6:46am for Saturday, March 16
    TL;DR: The six newsey things that stood out to me as of 6:46am on Saturday, March 16.Andy Foster has accidentally allowed a Labour/Green amendment to cut road user chargers for plug-in hybrid vehicles, which the Government might accept; NZ Herald Thomas Coughlan Simeon Brown has rejected a plea from Westport ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • How Did FTX Crash?
    What seemed a booming success a couple of years ago has collapsed into fraud convictions.I looked at the crash of FTX (short for ‘Futures Exchange’) in November 2022 to see whether it would impact on the financial system as a whole. Fortunately there was barely a ripple, probably because it ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    4 days ago
  • Elections in Russia and Ukraine
    Anybody following the situation in Ukraine and Russia would probably have been amused by a recent Tweet on X NATO seems to be putting in an awful lot of effort to influence what is, at least according to them, a sham election in an autocracy.When do the Ukrainians go to ...
    4 days ago
  • Bernard’s six stack of substacks at 6pm on March 15
    TL;DR: Shaun Baker on Wynyard Quarter's transformation. Magdalene Taylor on the problem with smart phones. How private equity are now all over reinsurance. Dylan Cleaver on rugby and CTE. Emily Atkin on ‘Big Meat’ looking like ‘Big Oil’.Bernard’s six-stack of substacks at 6pm on March 15Photo by Jeppe Hove Jensen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Buzz from the Beehive Finance Minister Nicola Willis had plenty to say when addressing the Auckland Business Chamber on the economic growth that (she tells us) is flagging more than we thought. But the government intends to put new life into it:  We want our country to be a ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago
  • National’s clean car tax advances
    The Transport and Infrastructure Committee has reported back on the Road User Charges (Light Electric RUC Vehicles) Amendment Bill, basicly rubberstamping it. While there was widespread support among submitters for the principle that EV and PHEV drivers should pay their fair share for the roads, they also overwhelmingly disagreed with ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Government funding bailouts
    Peter Dunne writes – This week’s government bailout – the fifth in the last eighteen months – of the financially troubled Ruapehu Alpine Lifts company would have pleased many in the central North Island ski industry. The government’s stated rationale for the $7 million funding was that it ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Two offenders, different treatments.
    See if you can spot the difference. An Iranian born female MP from a progressive party is accused of serial shoplifting. Her name is leaked to the media, which goes into a pack frenzy even before the Police launch an … Continue reading ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    4 days ago
  • Treaty references omitted
    Ele Ludemann writes  – The government is omitting general Treaty references from legislation : The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last Government in a bid to get greater coherence in the public service on Treaty ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • The Ghahraman Conflict
    What was that judge thinking? Peter Williams writes –  That Golriz Ghahraman and District Court Judge Maria Pecotic were once lawyer colleagues is incontrovertible. There is published evidence that they took at least one case to the Court of Appeal together. There was a report on ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 15
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Climate Scorpion – the sting is in the tail. Introducing planetary solvency. A paper via the University of Exeter’s Institute and Faculty of Actuaries.Local scoop: Kāinga Ora starts pulling out of its Auckland projects and selling land RNZ ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • The day Wellington up-zoned its future
    Wellington’s massively upzoned District Plan adds the opportunity for tens of thousands of new homes not just in the central city (such as these Webb St new builds) but also close to the CBD and public transport links. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Wellington gave itself the chance of ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Weekly Roundup 15-March-2024
    It’s Friday and we’re halfway through March Madness. Here’s some of the things that caught our attention this week. This Week in Greater Auckland On Monday Matt asked how we can get better event trains and an option for grade separating Morningside Dr. On Tuesday Matt looked into ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    4 days ago
  • That Word.
    Something you might not know about me is that I’m quite a stubborn person. No, really. I don’t much care for criticism I think’s unfair or that I disagree with. Few of us do I suppose.Back when I was a drinker I’d sometimes respond defensively, even angrily. There are things ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • The Hoon around the week to March 15
    Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The five things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the last week included:PM Christopher Luxon said the reversal of interest deductibility for landlords was done to help renters, who ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Labour’s policy gap
    It was not so much the Labour Party but really the Chris Hipkins party yesterday at Labour’s caucus retreat in Martinborough. The former Prime Minister was more or less consistent on wealth tax, which he was at best equivocal about, and social insurance, which he was not willing to revisit. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    5 days ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #11 2024
    Open access notables A Glimpse into the Future: The 2023 Ocean Temperature and Sea Ice Extremes in the Context of Longer-Term Climate Change, Kuhlbrodt et al., Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society: In the year 2023, we have seen extraordinary extrema in high sea surface temperature (SST) in the North Atlantic and in ...
    5 days ago
  • Melissa remains mute on media matters but has something to say (at a sporting event) about economic ...
     Buzz from the Beehive   The text reproduced above appears on a page which records all the media statements and speeches posted on the government’s official website by Melissa Lee as Minister of Media and Communications and/or by Jenny Marcroft, her Parliamentary Under-secretary.  It can be quickly analysed ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago
  • The return of Muldoon
    For forty years, Robert Muldoon has been a dirty word in our politics. His style of government was so repulsive and authoritarian that the backlash to it helped set and entrench our constitutional norms. His pig-headedness over forcing through Think Big eventually gave us the RMA, with its participation and ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • Will the rental tax cut improve life for renters or landlords?
    Bryce Edwards writes –  Is the new government reducing tax on rental properties to benefit landlords or to cut the cost of rents? That’s the big question this week, after Associate Finance Minister David Seymour announced on Sunday that the Government would be reversing the Labour Government’s removal ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Geoffrey Miller: What Saudi Arabia’s rapid changes mean for New Zealand
    Saudi Arabia is rarely far from the international spotlight. The war in Gaza has brought new scrutiny to Saudi plans to normalise relations with Israel, while the fifth anniversary of the controversial killing of Jamal Khashoggi was marked shortly before the war began on October 7. And as the home ...
    Democracy ProjectBy Geoffrey Miller
    5 days ago
  • Racism’s double standards
    Questions need to be asked on both sides of the world Peter Williams writes –   The NRL Judiciary hands down an eight week suspension to Sydney Roosters forward Spencer Leniu , an Auckland-born Samoan, after he calls Ezra Mam, Sydney-orn but of Aboriginal and Torres Strait ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • It’s not a tax break
    Ele Ludemann writes – Contrary to what many headlines and news stories are saying, residential landlords are not getting a tax break. The government is simply restoring to them the tax deductibility of interest they had until the previous government removed it. There is no logical reason ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • The Plastic Pig Collective and Chris' Imaginary Friends.
    I can't remember when it was goodMoments of happiness in bloomMaybe I just misunderstoodAll of the love we left behindWatching our flashbacks intertwineMemories I will never findIn spite of whatever you becomeForget that reckless thing turned onI think our lives have just begunI think our lives have just begunDoes anyone ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • Who is responsible for young offenders?
    Michael Bassett writes – At first reading, a front-page story in the New Zealand Herald on 13 March was bizarre. A group of severely intellectually limited teenagers, with little understanding of the law, have been pleading to the Justice Select Committee not to pass a bill dealing with ram ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on National’s fantasy trip to La La Landlord Land
    How much political capital is Christopher Luxon willing to burn through in order to deliver his $2.9 billion gift to landlords? Evidently, Luxon is: (a) unable to cost the policy accurately. As Anna Burns-Francis pointed out to him on Breakfast TV, the original ”rock solid” $2.1 billion cost he was ...
    5 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 14
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Jonathon Porritt calling bullshit in his own blog post on mainstream climate science as ‘The New Denialism’.Local scoop: The Wellington City Council’s list of proposed changes to the IHP recommendations to be debated later today was leaked this ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • No, Prime Minister, rents don’t rise or fall with landlords’ costs
    TL;DR: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said yesterday tenants should be grateful for the reinstatement of interest deductibility because landlords would pass on their lower tax costs in the form of lower rents. That would be true if landlords were regulated monopolies such as Transpower or Auckland Airport1, but they’re not, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Cartoons: ‘At least I didn’t make things awkward’
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Tom Toro Tom Toro is a cartoonist and author. He has published over 200 cartoons in The New Yorker since 2010. His cartoons appear in Playboy, the Paris Review, the New York Times, American Bystander, and elsewhere. Related: What 10 EV lovers ...
    5 days ago
  • Solving traffic congestion with Richard Prebble
    The business section of the NZ Herald is full of opinion. Among the more opinionated of all is the ex-Minister of Transport, ex-Minister of Railways, ex MP for Auckland Central (1975-93, Labour), Wellington Central (1996-99, ACT, then list-2005), ex-leader of the ACT Party, uncle to actor Antonia, the veritable granddaddy ...
    Greater AucklandBy Patrick Reynolds
    5 days ago
  • I Think I'm Done Flying Boeing
    Hi,Just quickly — I’m blown away by the stories you’ve shared with me over the last week since I put out the ‘Gary’ podcast, where I told you about the time my friend’s flatmate killed the neighbour.And you keep telling me stories — in the comments section, and in my ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    5 days ago
  • Invoking Aristotle: Of Rings of Power, Stones, and Ships
    The first season of Rings of Power was not awful. It was thoroughly underwhelming, yes, and left a lingering sense of disappointment, but it was more expensive mediocrity than catastrophe. I wrote at length about the series as it came out (see the Review section of the blog, and go ...
    6 days ago
  • Van Velden brings free-market approach to changing labour laws – but her colleagues stick to distr...
    Buzz from the Beehive Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden told Auckland Business Chamber members they were the first audience to hear her priorities as a minister in a government committed to cutting red tape and regulations. She brandished her liberalising credentials, saying Flexible labour markets are the ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago
  • Why Newshub failed
    Chris Trotter writes – TO UNDERSTAND WHY NEWSHUB FAILED, it is necessary to understand how TVNZ changed. Up until 1989, the state broadcaster had been funded by a broadcasting licence fee, collected from every citizen in possession of a television set, supplemented by a relatively modest (compared ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • Māori Party on the warpath against landlords and seabed miners – let’s see if mystical creature...
    Bob Edlin writes  –  The Māori Party has been busy issuing a mix of warnings and threats as its expresses its opposition to interest deductibility for landlords and the plans of seabed miners. It remains to be seen whether they  follow the example of indigenous litigants in Australia, ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago
  • There’s a name for this
    Every year, in the Budget, Parliament forks out money to government agencies to do certain things. And every year, as part of the annual review cycle, those agencies are meant to report on whether they have done the things Parliament gave them that money for. Agencies which consistently fail to ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    6 days ago
  • Echoes of 1968 in 2024?  Pocock on the repetitive problems of the New Left
    Mike Grimshaw writes – Recent events in American universities point to an underlying crisis of coherent thinking, an issue that increasingly affects the progressive left across the Western world. This of course is nothing new as anyone who can either remember or has read of the late ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • Positive progress for social worker workforce
    New Zealand’s social workers are qualified, experienced, and more representative of the communities they serve, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “I want to acknowledge and applaud New Zealand’s social workers for the hard work they do, providing invaluable support for our most vulnerable. “To coincide with World ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 hours ago
  • Minister confirms reduced RUC rate for PHEVs
    Cabinet has agreed to a reduced road user charge (RUC) rate for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. Owners of PHEVs will be eligible for a reduced rate of $38 per 1,000km once all light electric vehicles (EVs) move into the RUC system from 1 April.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    8 hours ago
  • Trade access to overseas markets creates jobs
    Minister of Agriculture and Trade, Todd McClay, says that today’s opening of Riverland Foods manufacturing plant in Christchurch is a great example of how trade access to overseas markets creates jobs in New Zealand.  Speaking at the official opening of this state-of-the-art pet food factory the Minister noted that exports ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    8 hours ago
  • NZ and Chinese Foreign Ministers hold official talks
    Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Wellington today. “It was a pleasure to host Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his first official visit to New Zealand since 2017. Our discussions were wide-ranging and enabled engagement on many facets of New Zealand’s relationship with China, including trade, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    22 hours ago
  • Kāinga Ora instructed to end Sustaining Tenancies
    Kāinga Ora – Homes & Communities has been instructed to end the Sustaining Tenancies Framework and take stronger measures against persistent antisocial behaviour by tenants, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Earlier today Finance Minister Nicola Willis and I sent an interim Letter of Expectations to the Board of Kāinga Ora. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Speech to Auckland Business Chamber: Growth is the answer
    Tēna koutou katoa. Greetings everyone. Thank you to the Auckland Chamber of Commerce and the Honourable Simon Bridges for hosting this address today. I acknowledge the business leaders in this room, the leaders and governors, the employers, the entrepreneurs, the investors, and the wealth creators. The coalition Government shares your ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Singapore rounds out regional trip
    Minister Winston Peters completed the final leg of his visit to South and South East Asia in Singapore today, where he focused on enhancing one of New Zealand’s indispensable strategic partnerships.      “Singapore is our most important defence partner in South East Asia, our fourth-largest trading partner and a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Minister van Velden represents New Zealand at International Democracy Summit
    Minister of Internal Affairs and Workplace Relations and Safety, Hon. Brooke van Velden, will travel to the Republic of Korea to represent New Zealand at the Third Summit for Democracy on 18 March. The summit, hosted by the Republic of Korea, was first convened by the United States in 2021, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Insurance Council of NZ Speech, 7 March 2024, Auckland
    ICNZ Speech 7 March 2024, Auckland  Acknowledgements and opening  Mōrena, ngā mihi nui. Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho.  Good morning, it’s a privilege to be here to open the ICNZ annual conference, thank you to Mark for the Mihi Whakatau  My thanks to Tim Grafton for inviting me ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Five-year anniversary of Christchurch terror attacks
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Lead Coordination Minister Judith Collins have expressed their deepest sympathy on the five-year anniversary of the Christchurch terror attacks. “March 15, 2019, was a day when families, communities and the country came together both in sorrow and solidarity,” Mr Luxon says.  “Today we pay our respects to the 51 shuhada ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024
    Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024  Acknowledgements and opening  Morena, Nga Mihi Nui.  Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho. Thanks Nate for your Mihi Whakatau  Good morning. It’s a pleasure to formally open your conference this morning. What a lovely day in Wellington, What a great ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Early visit to Indonesia strengthens ties
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters held discussions in Jakarta today about the future of relations between New Zealand and South East Asia’s most populous country.   “We are in Jakarta so early in our new government’s term to reflect the huge importance we place on our relationship with Indonesia and South ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • China Foreign Minister to visit
    Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters has announced that the Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi, will visit New Zealand next week.  “We look forward to re-engaging with Foreign Minister Wang Yi and discussing the full breadth of the bilateral relationship, which is one of New Zealand’s ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Minister opens new Auckland Rail Operations Centre
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has today opened the new Auckland Rail Operations Centre, which will bring together KiwiRail, Auckland Transport, and Auckland One Rail to improve service reliability for Aucklanders. “The recent train disruptions in Auckland have highlighted how important it is KiwiRail and Auckland’s rail agencies work together to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Celebrating 10 years of Crankworx Rotorua
    The Government is proud to support the 10th edition of Crankworx Rotorua as the Crankworx World Tour returns to Rotorua from 16-24 March 2024, says Minister for Economic Development Melissa Lee.  “Over the past 10 years as Crankworx Rotorua has grown, so too have the economic and social benefits that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government delivering on tax commitments
    Legislation implementing coalition Government tax commitments and addressing long-standing tax anomalies will be progressed in Parliament next week, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The legislation is contained in an Amendment Paper to the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill issued today.  “The Amendment Paper represents ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Significant Natural Areas requirement to be suspended
    Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard has today announced that the Government has agreed to suspend the requirement for councils to comply with the Significant Natural Areas (SNA) provisions of the National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity for three years, while it replaces the Resource Management Act (RMA).“As it stands, SNAs ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government classifies drought conditions in Top of the South as medium-scale adverse event
    Agriculture Minister Todd McClay has classified the drought conditions in the Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts as a medium-scale adverse event, acknowledging the challenging conditions facing farmers and growers in the district. “Parts of Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts are in the grip of an intense dry spell. I know ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government partnership to tackle $332m facial eczema problem
    The Government is helping farmers eradicate the significant impact of facial eczema (FE) in pastoral animals, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced.  “A $20 million partnership jointly funded by Beef + Lamb NZ, the Government, and the primary sector will save farmers an estimated NZD$332 million per year, and aims to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • NZ, India chart path to enhanced relationship
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has completed a successful visit to India, saying it was an important step in taking the relationship between the two countries to the next level.   “We have laid a strong foundation for the Coalition Government’s priority of enhancing New Zealand-India relations to generate significant future benefit for both countries,” says Mr Peters, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Ruapehu Alpine Lifts bailout the last, say Ministers
    Cabinet has agreed to provide $7 million to ensure the 2024 ski season can go ahead on the Whakapapa ski field in the central North Island but has told the operator Ruapehu Alpine Lifts it is the last financial support it will receive from taxpayers. Cabinet also agreed to provide ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Govt takes action to drive better cancer services
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Govt takes action to drive better cancer services
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
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    6 days ago
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