Gutless!

Written By: - Date published: 3:43 pm, August 19th, 2014 - 114 comments
Categories: accountability, brand key, john key, Judith Collins, leadership - Tags:

Key’s giving Collins a “last  last” chance! After she’s outed an innocent public servant to an amoral blogger. Duncan Garner said it six months ago about Oravida: “John Key won’t like this, but by Helen Clark’s standards he looks weak.” That’s too generous – by anybody’s standards he looks weak. He’s no leader.

It was interesting to see that Bill English has distanced himself from Collins, and made it clear both that he would not countenance that behaviour and also that it was Key’s decision and responsibility.

English was pretty scathing about Collins in the Hollow Men as well. In a letter to Brash (page 146) he discussed two presentations that Collins made to the caucus, one on health policy and one on family.

“I thought the health presentation at caucus was awful,” he wrote, “and I am told Judith’s family presentation was worse. I am not one the caucus complains to, except for today, so it must have been pretty bad.”There are a few lessons here,” he said. Brash’s strategy team had been “pushing Judith Collins as a star’ but she was a second year MP ‘pushed beyond her capacity into a hard portfolio’ and ‘with an unfortunately high estimation of her won competence.” Collins, ‘with apparent backing from the top’ had ‘spent too much time cultivating the media herself and believing the resultant publicity. She will find it hard to recover her credibility in caucus where she has been  a tough critic of her colleagues behind the scenes and they know it.”

I’d say at the moment her credibility in caucus, and the country,  is well below zero. The way things are going, John Key’s is heading there too. Particularly since Key and Collins both say Collins didn’t give Slater Simon Pleasants’ name

Update: Email here – name, job title and phone numbers including mobile (Thanks Whaledump)

Gossip

114 comments on “Gutless! ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Tracey 1
    19 August 2014 at 3:54 pm

    Double Dipton, the man who brought us a surplus by creative accounting and shafting chchch is scrambling for moral high ground!!?!

    John key says judith didnt give over the public servant name…

    Someone should blow up the email to billboard size and follow Key around all day. Then a journo can ask him

    ” now that you have seen the email…”

    • Thinker 1.1
      19 August 2014 at 6:38 pm

      But, with my eyes shut, I haven’t seen the email, so I have no way of knowing the truth – I mean of seeing anything other than Judith’s assurances, which I have seen, so naturally I accept them unresevedly.

      And, because Hager’s a left wing – sorry, make that SCREAMING left wing idealogue, all those kiwi mums and dads are sure to agree with me that I shouldn’t look at the email. They know they can trust my judgement.

      Ah, yes. Good old kiwi mums & dads. Come on and vote old Teflon John back into power, and everything’ll be just like the old times. I’ll meet up with ACT in a Newmarket coffee shop. We’ll both share a big pot of tea, then the rest of the country gets our trickle-down for the next 3 years. Economics, that is.

      Funny, where’s everybody gone? What’s changed?

      • Tracey 1.1.1
        20 August 2014 at 7:16 am

        Have you seen any calls on front pages for collins or key to resign? I havent. Herald said cunliffe should go for a 13 year old letter…

  2. geoff 2
    19 August 2014 at 3:56 pm

    So when the National party inevitably have to excise the Collins/Slater tumour, which side of the knife will Key be on?

    • One Anonymous Bloke 2.1
      19 August 2014 at 4:07 pm

      Key is the tumour, Collins and Slater are the years of substance abuse that caused the cancer.

  3. Ant 3
    19 August 2014 at 4:00 pm

    At the end of the day™ they would have been better off autoclaving Ede, Slater, and Collins.

    Glad to see they are still hellbent trying to hang tough. 😀

    Glad to see karmic justice is still meted out.

  4. Tom Jackson 4
    19 August 2014 at 4:00 pm

    Anyone want to guess what she’s got on him? Broom cupboard snog?

    • fambo 4.1
      19 August 2014 at 4:07 pm

      A beautifully restored Third Reich swizzle stick – (apologies to The Tubes)

    • One Anonymous Bloke 4.2
      19 August 2014 at 4:08 pm

      The money. Follow the money. My guess.

      A PM can take it as read,
      When he lays his head on his bed,
      That all that swamp Kauri,
      Will not go to mauri,
      But ‘vida and Judith instead.

      • miravox 4.2.1
        19 August 2014 at 9:45 pm

        +1 I reckon he advised her to do business over dinner too. It’s his style.

      • Paul Campbell 4.2.2
        19 August 2014 at 10:57 pm

        I’ve been playing the same game today, here’s my contribution:

        Hager, his book about Whale Oil
        Shows how our government can spoil
        As the dirt starts to heap
        Key starts to reap
        His huge smelly heap of night soil

        Key, in parliament a debater
        Hangs out with that Cameron Slater
        Who thinks it’s a breeze
        To spread on the sleaze,
        But ends up just being a hater

        There once was a whale run amok
        Whose bile load of mail was snuck
        To a writer of note
        Just prior to our vote
        Now the nats can all take a flying

        It started with just one word “feral”
        That pissed off a hacker, now there’ll
        Be emails each day
        Dripping away
        John Key’s job now’s in peril

        • Paul Campbell 4.2.2.1
          19 August 2014 at 11:10 pm

          a couple more:

          John Key must think we all are suckers
          Judith’s not ‘last’ ‘fore he chucks her
          But he already said ‘last’
          Not so long in the past
          It’s time we vote out all those

          It seems that we all were naive
          That the Nats would never deceive
          Now truth’s to the fore
          So don’t let the door
          Hit your arse as you leave

    • NickS 4.3
      19 August 2014 at 4:12 pm

      It’ll probably come to light after the election if National loose, as the knives come out in the struggle for the leadership.

    • Tel 4.4
      19 August 2014 at 4:12 pm

      A picture of him without his rug?

    • McFlock 4.5
      19 August 2014 at 4:56 pm

      she’s the one stopping it being a no contest run between Mr Didn’tFixIt and blinglish to oust dunnokeyo. And collins does have a lot of admirers in that group of tories who “mistake callous” stupidity for “bravery and strength”.

      At the moment blinglish can sneak through the split vote between the two, so sort of stops either from taking the first stab at Keysar. If crushless is thrown into the cold, Mr DnF has a clear advantage over all other contenders I can think of (although folk are welcome to extol the merits of parata or bridges lol).

    • Pete 4.6
      19 August 2014 at 5:35 pm

      I wonder if she’s ever served as Key’s tax solicitor.

    • Liberal Realist 4.7
      19 August 2014 at 6:51 pm

      My bet is Collins has more than enough information on Key to bring him down with her, hence why Key is ‘standing by her’ to the end. Collins would have threatened Key with ‘double down’ payback.

    • disturbed 4.8
      20 August 2014 at 8:02 am

      Tom – what’s Collins got on Key maybe a broom cupboard snog!

      Nah, maybe he’s fleeced the taxpayer again somewhere or hedged investments on “Government inside knowledge” eh.
      He is acting and sounding more and more like a guilty man like Nixon was. Carbon copy.
      It’s more his known mode, he is blinded by money only.

      Yuck my skin crawls with the though snog.

      Tom, shit mate, excuse me I have to go and throw up.

  5. emergency mike 5
    19 August 2014 at 4:06 pm

    “Mr Key said he could only take Ms Collins’ word that she only leaked private information such as public servant Simon Pleasants’ numbers and not his name.

    “I think there are some details there which I think it is unwise of a minister to pass on,” but he said it did not change the basic point that she was very strongly of the view that she did not leak the name, just the numbers.

    Other than the unwise move of sharing private information, Mr Key generally trusted Ms Collins’ judgement.”

    My emphasis.

    Hey journos: Key has gone full retard. Our justice minister has told him that she leaked private information to lowlife scum attack blogger for hire. ‘Unwise’ but that’s cool, coz it’s all a smear campaign.

    I liked Collins’ last line to the journo at the airport yesterday, something like, “I didn’t leak his name, I just told Slater his title. His name is attached to his title.” (Paraphrasing from memory.)

    Yeah, like a mafia boss who is telling you he didn’t pass on a message his his hitman to take out Dr X, he was just letting the hitman know that this guy was a doctor. Now if that hitman then went out and killed X the next day, well, that’s nothing to do with me capiche?

    • One Anonymous Bloke 5.1
      19 August 2014 at 4:14 pm

      Key forgot to check Whaledump before he took the lying Justice Minister at her word.

      • Peter 5.1.1
        19 August 2014 at 4:24 pm

        Perhaps she goes after the next Whaledump!

        • One Anonymous Bloke 5.1.1.1
          19 August 2014 at 4:33 pm

          He says she gave Pleasant’s official title not his name. Whaledump made a liar of him before he spoke.

          • marty mars 5.1.1.1.1
            19 August 2014 at 6:46 pm

            Exactly – this is getting ridiculous, beyond farcical – getting close to the time when the people will rise up in righteous anger against this liar.

    • Tracey 5.2
      19 August 2014 at 4:34 pm

      So hager is wrong, the person who has the emails is wrong…

      So much for the higher ethical standards of the cabinet manual…

      Mr Key once said this about ministers who find themselves amidst contradictory information. Remember Collins has bith admitted and later denied leaking the name. Back in August 2008

      “Mr Key asked Miss Clark in Parliament whether she would be sacking or standing Mr Peters down as a minister following his clearly contradictory statements…In politics you have to do what’s right,” Mr Key said.

    • Rosie 5.3
      19 August 2014 at 4:39 pm

      ” Key has gone full retard.”

      Ain’t that the truth.

      Our government has gone rogue on it’s citizens with a full blown retard at the helm. Anything is possible. God help us.

  6. You_Fool 6
    19 August 2014 at 4:09 pm

    Really going for higher ethical standards by this national government! I am glad John Key is such an upstanding guy….

  7. Penny Bright 7
    19 August 2014 at 4:16 pm

    Give me a break – how weak, gutless and squeamish is Prime Minister John Key?

    Why does Prime Minister John Key not SEEK TRUTH FROM FACTS and double-check the dribble Minister of Justice Judith Collins is feeding him, rather than trust the ‘word’ of the (proven) untrustworthy, and continue to defend the indefensible?

    If Prime Minister John Key still apparently has confidence in HIS Minister of ‘Justice’ Judith Collins – then how on earth can the voting public have confidence in HIM?

    I guess that’s the best the public can expect from a Prime Minister who has his ‘moral compass’ stuck on Wall Street?

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11311222

    Nikki Preston Nikki Preston is a Herald reporter based in Hamilton.

    Judith Collins on her last chance – Key

    2:50 PM Tuesday Aug 19, 2014

    Election 2014 NZ Government NZ National Party… Politics Whaledump
    Justice Minister Judith Collins.

    Judith Collins’ decision to leak information to blogger Cameron Slater was “unwise” and she is now on her last chance, Prime Minister John Key says.

    Speaking before the anniversary celebrations of the Maori King’s coronation outside Turangawaewae in Ngaruawahia, Mr Key said he could only take Ms Collins’ word that she only leaked private information such as public servant Simon Pleasants’ numbers and not his name.

    “I think there are some details there which I think it is unwise of a minister to pass on,” but he said it did not change the basic point that she was very strongly of the view that she did not leak the name, just the numbers.

    Other than the unwise move of sharing private information, Mr Key generally trusted Ms Collins’ judgement.

    It is now the second time Ms Collins has been put on notice that she was on a final chance after failing to mention a dinner she had with the heads of Oravida during a trip to China.

    Mr Key said that was still in place and denied she was now on her “last last” chance. …..

    Penny Bright

  8. Clarence 8
    19 August 2014 at 4:16 pm

    Will Collins go and take Key with her? Is Bill history?

    • Jenk 8.1
      19 August 2014 at 9:14 pm

      Nope – Blingish aint history – he’s making sure he comes out on top ! Isn’t that obvious ?

      • SpaceMonkey 8.1.1
        20 August 2014 at 8:23 am

        I think at this stage it’s a scramble for dry land and a wait-and-see who’s still standing at the end of it. This will reverberate long after the election, regardless of who’s the Government.

  9. Kiwiri 9
    19 August 2014 at 4:27 pm

    Why is Key continuing to support so many of the wrongdoings by Collins?

    • One Anonymous Bloke 9.1
      19 August 2014 at 4:35 pm

      The money. It’s the only explanation left that has sufficient weight. I still haven’t figured out which money. That said, my lactose intolerance isn’t physical.

      • anker 9.1.1
        19 August 2014 at 5:46 pm

        Best hunch, that if Key sacks Judith, she will take Key down with her. Perhaps dob him in with some sort of proof as being part of the the Whale Oil dirty politics……………….nothing to loose now, if I am going down your coming with me, look no hands!!

        • One Anonymous Bloke 9.1.1.1
          19 August 2014 at 5:58 pm

          Too much money is at stake. How much is the Oravida Kauri worth, for example? Or those windblown trees on the West Coast?

          Purely hypothetically, if I were ethically flexible and I saw that a government had offered itself up for sale* I’d get some decent hooks into a Minister or two then butcher them if they didn’t comply. Government contracts come pre-laundered.

          *Sky City.

        • Puddleglum 9.1.1.2
          19 August 2014 at 6:28 pm

          What’s the phrase? ‘Give back double’?

          • One Anonymous Bloke 9.1.1.2.1
            19 August 2014 at 6:37 pm

            Collins’ poor choice of henchmen (Slater, puleeze!) indicates her political capital is mostly pants.

    • fender 9.2
      19 August 2014 at 5:12 pm

      Maybe because she has so much dirt on him that he will back her rather than give her a chance to knife him..

      • Rosie 9.2.1
        19 August 2014 at 5:16 pm

        A possibility?

        • Kiwiri 9.2.1.1
          19 August 2014 at 5:25 pm

          It would be truly awful for a Prime Minister to be under a kind of blackmail by a Cabinet Minister.

          Very important that someone saves the PM from the hold that Collins has on him.
          Boag to the rescue?

          • One Anonymous Bloke 9.2.1.1.1
            19 August 2014 at 6:20 pm

            The blackmail has to implicate the Party before it has any hold on the Prime Minister. Key isn’t some poor victim in this. He’s the gatekeeper.

            • Kiwiri 9.2.1.1.1.1
              19 August 2014 at 6:28 pm

              Oh, yeah. Had forgotten he has been collecting blackmail in his top drawer.

            • geoff 9.2.1.1.1.2
              19 August 2014 at 8:32 pm

              What if, for example, Key had committed adultery and Collins/Slater had proof they could use to attack his family? The book shows that Slater specialises in this so it’s not outside the realms of possibility.

              This could be a case of Key the ‘gatekeeper’ whose pet Frankenstein has turned on him and gotten out of his control.

              • Roy …
                20 August 2014 at 11:52 am

                I’m not convinced that Key cares that much about his family. It would not be typical of a personality-disordered person, and I think Key is both a narcissist and a sociopath (and co-morbidity is more common than not in the personality disorders). I think it’s got to be something that hits him personally, or involves money. A lot of money.

  10. Rosie 10
    19 August 2014 at 4:33 pm

    Un- F-ing -believable. After just finishing the chapter on Collins, I’m almost dizzy with the news that Collins hasn’t been made to resign. What does it take these days to get a Minister to resign? Murder?

    Silly Arron Gilmore resigned for being a jerk yet Collins get to stay as a Minister not only for using her Ministerial position to advance her partner’s business interests and lie to the public and her government about it but is the source of a series of leaks of private information with the very deliberate intention to harm other parties. (see also Bronwyn Pullar in Chapter two)

    That she is not held accountable for passing on Simon Pleasants’ info to Slater on the wild and incorrect assumption that he was the one to be the whistleblower on English’s double dipping, with the expectation that such info would ruin him, is beyond belief. This info in Slater’s hands resulted in death threats against Pleasants’ which the Police spoke to Slater about, as we all know.

    How can Key so casually dismiss such a serious and calculated allegation?! (rhetorical question, lol)

  11. Tracey 11
    19 August 2014 at 4:37 pm

    National Party Leader John Key says Winston Peters would be unacceptable as a Minister in a government led by him unless Mr Peters can provide a credible explanation on the Owen Glenn saga.

    “Labour Party donor Owen Glenn’s letter to the Privileges Committee completely contradicts Winston Peters’ version of events about the substantial $100,000 donation made by Mr Glenn to Mr Peters’ legal costs.

    “Mr Glenn’s letter represents a direct challenge to Mr Peters’ credibility, from the only other person in the world in a position to know the facts.

    “From Parliament’s point of view, the Privileges Committee provides an appropriate vehicle to resolve the points of conflict and to hold individuals to account. But from the Prime Minister’s and the Government’s point of view, that is not enough.

    “Governments and Ministers must enjoy the confidence of the Parliament and, ultimately, the public. Faced with today’s revelations, it is no longer acceptable for Mr Peters to offer bluster and insults where simple, courteous, honest answers are required.

    “It is no longer acceptable or credible for Helen Clark to assert a facade of confidence in her Foreign Affairs Minister and to fail to ask the plain questions of him that she has a duty to the public to ask.

    “Faced with today’s revelations, Helen Clark must stand Mr Peters down as a Minister. That is what I would do if I were Prime Minister. Helen Clark has stood Ministers from Labour down for much less .

    “Unless he can provide a credible explanation about this serious issue, he should be unacceptable to Helen Clark as a Minister in her Labour-led Government.

    “Mr Peters will be unacceptable as a Minister in a government led by me unless he can provide a credible explanation.”

    Right Honourable John Key – August 2008 – National Party Press Release (emphasis my own and to highlight, again, the difference between this and his stance on many including Mr Banks AND Ms Collins)

    • Rosie 11.1
      19 August 2014 at 4:49 pm

      Excellent pots and kettles example Tracey.

      Where are all those Nat supporters who smuggly supported their leader for this stance back in ’08? Do they still stand with their leader who is incapable of firing his Minister who can not “provide a credible explanation” for her appalling and unethical behaviour?

    • emergency mike 11.2
      19 August 2014 at 6:11 pm

      Oh yes John Key knows what high ethical standards are. And he knows when to demand them from his opponents. But apply them to himself? Why the fuck would he do something dumb like that?

    • Chris 11.3
      19 August 2014 at 7:13 pm

      Winston wasn’t IN the Labour Government – so not Helen’s job to stand him down.

    • miravox 11.4
      19 August 2014 at 9:39 pm

      Yep. Key can’t bring Peters/Glenn/Clark up again either – historical and he won’t want to be quoted on it.

      This would get funnier (if SlaterCollins wasn’t such a disgustingly serious business) by the minute if a journalist started quoting this stuff back at him.

    • Bearded Git 11.5
      19 August 2014 at 9:58 pm

      @Tracey.

      Marvellous work! The MSM should be reminded of this.

  12. Terry Bond 12
    19 August 2014 at 4:39 pm

    Is this the last chance;
    or,
    the last, last chance;
    or
    the last, last, last, but maybe, the not quite, last chance.

    • Anne 12.1
      19 August 2014 at 6:43 pm

      It’s the last, last chance.

      The last, last last, but maybe, the not quite, last chance has been saved for the next whaledump.

      And then the last, last, last, but maybe, the not quite, but nearly quite, last chance will come into force.

      And after that he’s hoping like hell that will be the end of the dumps.

  13. Dont worry. Be happy 13
    19 August 2014 at 4:51 pm

    Look, insulting Key by calling him a “retard” is disgusting. People with intellectual disabilities do not deserve that odious comparison.

    • McFlock 13.1
      19 August 2014 at 5:12 pm

      Ye-es, in that the follow up just calling key a “full blown retard” I think missed the reference to Tropic Thunder. Which spends most of its time ripping shit out of method actors, directors, the hollywood system etc. Think “Apocalypse Now” meets “An Alan Smithee Film”.

      • Rosie 13.1.1
        19 August 2014 at 5:24 pm

        Lol. I did see Tropic Thunder on Christmas Day in 2008 but don’t remember a single thing about “full blown retard”, possibly due to my festive state.

        And Don’t worry, Be happy, what I find more insulting is that American literature STILL refers to those with intellectual disabilities as “retarded”. This is an outdated and cruel term. Appropriately used in reference to the P.M however.

      • SpaceMonkey 13.1.2
        20 August 2014 at 8:28 am

        Yeah, brilliant… “never go full retard”… and “I never break character until I’ve done the DVD commentary”… priceless. Robert Downey Jr FTW.

    • emergency mike 13.2
      19 August 2014 at 6:44 pm

      I was indeed referencing Tropic Thunder implying he is losing the plot, rather than calling him a retard. Otherwise I agree with your comment.

    • Delia 13.3
      20 August 2014 at 9:54 am

      Exactly and as the mother of an intellectually disabled son I am sick of coming onto left wing sites and finding retard this and retard that. I thought better of the left, evidently I am deluded.

      • r0b 13.3.1
        20 August 2014 at 10:05 am

        As someone who did volunteer work with the intellectually disabled I’m none to fond of it either. I’ll try and step on it in moderation if I notice it from now on. In the mean time, please don’t write off progressive politics because of the words of a few!

  14. infused 14
    19 August 2014 at 4:56 pm

    So not having read the book, but reading what everyone else is saying, wasn’t that particular persons name already in the public arena?

    • Bastables 14.1
      19 August 2014 at 5:29 pm

      No Pleasants name was not in the public arena in connection with non existent leaks to the Labour party until Collins gave it to Slater to use in baseless accusations.

      But keep arguing theoreticals, that have nothing to do with the examples like Lier Key. Makes it easier to identify the filth.

    • Hanswurst 14.2
      19 August 2014 at 5:39 pm

      Most of our names are in the phone book, meaning that they are technically “in the public arena”. That doesn’t generally lead to death threats. Jason Ede’s name was definitely already in the public arena, but his conduct as reported in Dirty Politics has changed people’s perception of him, led to his going into hiding, and forced the prime minister to defend his actions on a daily basis. Similarly, if covertly, Ms. Collins’ email appears to have been a catalyst for attacks on Mr. Pleasants. Going by the PM’s own accumulated statements, the key difference appears to be that Mr. Ede did at the very least commit much of what is alleged, whereas the dearth of evidence ini Mr. Pleasants’ case would lend weight to the conclusion that he didn’t.

      • Tracey 14.2.1
        20 August 2014 at 7:35 am

        Yes. That logic follows if keys previous statements were not permitted to disappear as if never uttered

    • wtl 14.3
      19 August 2014 at 5:59 pm

      E-mail from Collins to Slater dated 6 Oct 2009. First mention of Pleasants name on Whaleoil blog was Oct 7, 2009 (easy enough to find, I’m not linking to that creep).

      …reading what everyone else is saying…

      Obviously ‘everyone’ you have been listening to is badly informed. Maybe you should get a copy of the book and read it yourself?

    • emergency mike 14.4
      19 August 2014 at 6:18 pm

      If you mean that Simon Pleasants made no secret of that fact that his name was Simon Pleasants, then yes dufus, his name was in the ‘public arena’.

    • Tracey 14.5
      20 August 2014 at 7:23 am

      No. That was Collins first lie.

    • Tracey 14.6
      20 August 2014 at 7:37 am

      If true, slater could have just googled, dontchathink? By now evidence of it being in the public domain would have come forward dontchathink.

  15. MrSmith 15
    19 August 2014 at 5:06 pm

    English drawing a line in the sand, and so the fun begins, civil war should be about to break out in the National party as more and more members read this book.

    I have just handed my copy of Hager’s book to a local National party member and advised him to have a shower after reading it, I have 2 more on order to hand out, as have plenty of good tory friends with families, that will be disgusted with the behavior and goings on.

  16. Hami Shearlie 16
    19 August 2014 at 5:46 pm

    I’ve been noticing the strange absence of Bill English since last week – We’ve seen Gerry and Joyce standing behind Key, but not English – He’s the Deputy Prime Minister and yet, he’s been invisible!! Don’t blame him, even though I don’t like him, this grubby behaviour is not something I would attribute to him. He’s no fan of Collins! Mind you in saying that, I would not have thought the ex Nat MP Katherine Rich would have been mixed up in all this either – We have been told that some people have been blackmailed by Whaleoil – I wonder if she is one of these people?

  17. Glenn 17
    19 August 2014 at 5:54 pm

    James Robins has an interesting opinion piece on Yahoo’s homepage that is well worth reading. It ends with…..

    All of these rebuttals have been sneering, scornful, and snarling, thus vindicating and validating Hager’s polemics. Utter contempt for even basic accountability is ever-present: a form of tribalism not far divorced from that of a third world country, and certainly not what we should expect from a mature democracy.

    The details of muckraking and shame-faced attack politics, and the government’s reaction to being caught out, ought to offend the deepest sensibilities of the New Zealand public.

    Hager is right when he predicts in the conclusion of Dirty Politics that “this was not going to be an election of policy, vision, or scrutinising the government’s record.”

    https://nz.news.yahoo.com/opinion/post/-/blog/24742721/dirty-politics-before-our-eyes/

    • Murray Olsen 17.1
      20 August 2014 at 5:14 am

      “Utter contempt for even basic accountability is ever-present: a form of tribalism not far divorced from that of a third world country, and certainly not what we should expect from a mature democracy.”

      We are a third world country. We sell commodities that we do not set the price for. We take orders from a foreign capital. We have desperate poverty and a worsening level of inequality. We have a resurgence of third world diseases. We have corrupt politicians.

      We will not be a mature democracy until we have a means of holding the government to account. For too long we’ve thought it can’t happen in Godzone, with the only reason seemingly being that we speak English. Time to put things right.

  18. vto 18
    19 August 2014 at 6:39 pm

    English is the worst of the lot

    Fuck English.

    They are all the same

  19. Dialey 19
    19 August 2014 at 6:46 pm

    He may be gutless, but he never loses an opportunity to score a low punch. Every interview he repeats the mantra of left wing smear campaign. So far no journos have really called him on that. Where’s the proof that lefties burned the effigy for example, or are defacing billboards.

    • emergency mike 19.1
      19 August 2014 at 7:10 pm

      Lefties?! Run for your life!

      You’re in danger of buying into the very propaganda language that you are questioning by using that word like that. Try “Where’s the proof any coordination or connection to a political party?”

      The only baseless conspiracy theorist seems to be John Key. Oh and all the other figures implicated who are chanting the same baseless conspiracy theory mantra. Almost like they agreed to… Oh noes now I’m a conspiracy theorist. Not baseless tho.

      • You_Fool 19.1.1
        20 August 2014 at 8:23 am

        The “connection” is the fact that the Internet Party had a rally where KDC was on stage and the crowd started chanting, so in JK’s eyes this means everything from now on is some vast left wing conspiracy because KDC

    • Hanswurst 19.2
      19 August 2014 at 10:05 pm

      They’re probably righties that have been “stolen” by the left. Or have just lent themselves voluntarily. Or something.

  20. felix 20
    19 August 2014 at 6:52 pm

    So what’s the relevance of the email to “patrick”?

  21. meconism 21
    19 August 2014 at 6:53 pm

    Mr and Mrs. Slater must be so proud.

  22. TeWhareWhero 22
    19 August 2014 at 6:56 pm

    Yahoo NZ news poll today:

    “Do you think Judith Collins should resign over revelations she allegedly gave a job to a blogger’s informant?”

    Yes, this was her last chance
    56% (6941)

    No, she has done nothing wrong
    40% (5037)

    I don’t know
    4% (500)

    Odd that it doesn’t refer to her conduct in relation to the civil servant but a very interesting result in light of the one on Hager’s book the other day. I have had no reply from YahooNZ to my request for information about how they manage their news polls and whether people can vote multiple times.

  23. Hami Shearlie 23
    19 August 2014 at 7:25 pm

    I imagine that right about now, Meteria Turei (and who could blame her) would love to say to Judith Collins, “Who’s the sensitive little sausage now?”

  24. TeWhareWhero 24
    19 August 2014 at 7:25 pm

    Picture this: someone behaves badly at work, bringing their employer into serious disrepute. It’s a serious offence but the union succeeds in getting the management to issue a verbal warning. The person repeats the behaviour and gets a final written warning – any further bad conduct will result in summary dismissal.

    Then management discovers even worse behaviour which had occurred prior to the final warning. The union official representing the member of staff tries to argue that, as that behaviour had predated the final warning, the person should not be sacked.

    What do you think the outcome would be?

    In the meantime I think they’ve upped Key’s beta-blocker dosage as he seems a bit more in control of his emotions and on script. But he is coming across as more slippery and insincere than ever.

    • Blue 24.1
      19 August 2014 at 9:00 pm

      In the meantime I think they’ve upped Key’s beta-blocker dosage as he seems a bit more in control of his emotions and on script. But he is coming across as more slippery and insincere than ever.

      They have probably replaced him with a robot. The real Key is probably bound and gagged in a dark room somewhere as punishment for his slurring, disorganised and embarrassing media interviews of late.

      You’d only need to program in a few lines. ‘Left-wing conspiracy theorist’, ‘smear campaign’, ‘very historical’ and ‘I don’t have any details on that’.

  25. North 25
    19 August 2014 at 9:34 pm

    “Gutless !” ? Nah. Joke !

    There comes a critical point. When ‘laughing stock’ springs to mind. And “who the fuck are you tryin’ to kid mate ?”

    Key looks SO effete in this. Like……the nastiest piece of work in New Zealand politics…….the bully who weeps…….owns him ?

    Wow !

  26. Redzone 26
    19 August 2014 at 9:44 pm

    Key sack her!

    No actually don’t…Do us all a favour and give her yet another ‘last’ warning and look even more pathetic. Keep trying to defend the undefendable. It will help the polls and fuel this some more.

    Collins clearly has so much shit on you she will take you down if you do… Ok sack her then!

    As Collins’s CPF (close personal friend) slater would say its a ‘pay back’ double. What goes around…

    Whale dump what’s next? This is one hell of a teaser campaign…

    A year of scandal in a week! Like some sort of political morality purge. Long overdue and actually bloody sad that it’s got to this.

  27. Alistair Connor 27
    19 August 2014 at 10:44 pm

    Not fired her yet eh… You’ve got to think that Key believes that we’ve already seen the worst of the material regarding Collins. i.e. he’s taken her aside and asked her “is there anything more that might come out?” and that she’s answered “No, that’s all there is”.

    Come on Whaledumper… the suspense is killing us!

    • Tracey 27.1
      20 August 2014 at 7:44 am

      Its looking like he knew all about her work for slater, thats why hes not sacing her. He will only sack her for cobduct he wasnt complicit.

  29. Tracey 29
    20 August 2014 at 7:44 am

    Ede was spoted going into beehive with a security card. Has anyone seen him come out?

  30. SPC 30
    20 August 2014 at 8:34 am

    John Key’s sort of found himself snookered.

    He is moving to the position of conceding that the offence by Collins would have been serious enough to end her career if it had occurred after the final warning (because this is the circumstance) – but not acting because the offence took place earlier.

    The sooner he concedes this the sooner he can move on.

  31. Mjoy 31
    20 August 2014 at 4:23 pm

    From Judith Collin’s maiden speech- August 2002.

    ” Mr Speaker, There is a form of poverty in this country. But it has little to do with poverty in a monetary sense. The poverty of which I speak is a poverty of responsibility. A poverty of courage, a poverty of truth, a poverty of love, a poverty of faith.

    And that brings me to my final point.

    I stand for the dignity of the individual. I believe in God and I believe that every human being is created with free will to do either good or evil.”

    Dignity, responsibility, courage and truth! These are the things that Judith Stands for, Yeah right!

  32. Disabled Liberation Aotearoa NZ DLANZ 32
    21 August 2014 at 3:14 pm

    Good article Mike..

    Integrity is important with an upcoming election and John Key and his ‘mob’ are ”Gutless” when they leave Civil Servants out in the cold.

    Not uncommon, but I think its time for a big change……Keep smiling

    Doug Hay – Cordinator

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • At a glance – The difference between weather and climate
    On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
    Skeptical Science
    11 hours ago

  • More criminal miners
    What is it with the mining industry? Its not enough for them to pillage the earth - they apparently can't even be bothered getting resource consent to do so: The proponent behind a major mine near the Clutha River had already been undertaking activity in the area without a ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    11 hours ago

  • Photos from the road
    Photo # 1 I am a huge fan of Singapore’s approach to housing, as described here two years ago by copying and pasting from The ConversationWhat Singapore has that Australia does not is a public housing developer, the Housing Development Board, which puts new dwellings on public and reclaimed land, ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    12 hours ago

  • RMA reforms aim to ease stock-grazing rules and reduce farmers’ costs – but Taxpayers’ Union w...
    Buzz from the Beehive Reactions to news of the government’s readiness to make urgent changes to “the resource management system” through a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) suggest a balanced approach is being taken. The Taxpayers’ Union says the proposed changes don’t go far enough.  Greenpeace says ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    13 hours ago

  • Luxon Strikes Out.
    I’m starting to wonder if Anna Burns-Francis might be the best political interviewer we’ve got. That might sound unlikely to you, it came as a bit of a surprise to me.Jack Tame can be excellent, but has some pretty average days. I like Rebecca Wright on Newshub, she asks good ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    16 hours ago

  • In many ways the media that the experts wanted, turned out to be the media they have got
    Chris Trotter writes –  Willie Jackson is said to be planning a “media summit” to discuss “the state of the media and how to protect Fourth Estate Journalism”. Not only does the Editor of The Daily Blog, Martyn Bradbury, think this is a good idea, but he has also ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    16 hours ago

  • The Waitangi Tribunal Summons; or the more things stay the same
    Graeme Edgeler writes –  This morning [April 21], the Wellington High Court is hearing a judicial review brought by Hon. Karen Chhour, the Minister for Children, against a decision of the Waitangi Tribunal. This is unusual, judicial reviews are much more likely to brought against ministers, rather than ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    17 hours ago

  • Both Parliamentary watchdogs hammer Fast-track bill
    Both of Parliament’s watchdogs have now ripped into the Government’s Fast-track Approvals Bill. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMy pick of the six newsey things to know from Aotearoa’s political economy and beyond on the morning of Tuesday, April 23 are:The Lead: The Auditor General, John Ryan, has joined the ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    18 hours ago

  • India makes a big bet on electric buses
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Sarah Spengeman People wait to board an electric bus in Pune, India. (Image credit: courtesy of ITDP) Public transportation riders in Pune, India, love the city’s new electric buses so much they will actually skip an older diesel bus that ...
    Skeptical Science
    20 hours ago

  • Bernard’s pick ‘n’ mix of the news links at 6:36am on Tuesday, April 23
    TL;DR: These six news links stood out in the last 24 hours to 6:36am on Tuesday, April 22:Scoop & Deep Dive: How Sir Peter Jackson got to have his billion-dollar exit cake and eat Hollywood too NZ Herald-$$$ Matt NippertFast Track Approval Bill: Watchdogs seek substantial curbs on ministers' powers ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    22 hours ago

  • What is really holding up infrastructure
    The infrastructure industry yesterday issued a “hurry up” message to the Government, telling it to get cracking on developing a pipeline of infrastructure projects.The hiatus around the change of Government has seen some major projects cancelled and others delayed, and there is uncertainty about what will happen with the new ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    23 hours ago

  • “Pure Unadulterated Charge”
    Hi,Over the weekend I revisited a podcast I really adore, Dead Eyes. It’s about a guy who got fired from Band of Brothers over two decades ago because Tom Hanks said he had “dead eyes”.If you don’t recall — 2001’s Band of Brothers was part of the emerging trend of ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    23 hours ago

  • Bernard's six-stack of substacks for Monday, April 22
    Tonight’s six-stack includes: writes via his substack that’s he’s sceptical about the IPSOS poll last week suggesting a slide into authoritarianism here, writing: Kiwis seem to want their cake and eat it too Tal Aster writes for about How Israel turned homeowners into YIMBYs. writes via his ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago

  • The media were given a little list and hastened to pick out Fast Track prospects – but the Treaty ...
     Buzz from the Beehive The 180 or so recipients of letters from the Government telling them how to submit infrastructure projects for “fast track” consideration includes some whose project applications previously have been rejected by the courts. News media were quick to feature these in their reports after RMA Reform Minister Chris ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 day ago

  • Just trying to stay upright
    It would not be a desirable way to start your holiday by breaking your back, your head, or your wrist, but on our first hour in Singapore I gave it a try.We were chatting, last week, before we started a meeting of Hazel’s Enviro Trust, about the things that can ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 day ago

  • “Unprecedented”
    Today, former Port of Auckland CEO Tony Gibson went on trial on health and safety charges for the death of one of his workers. The Herald calls the trial "unprecedented". Firstly, it's only "unprecedented" because WorkSafe struck a corrupt and unlawful deal to drop charges against Peter Whittall over Pike ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: Time for “Fast-Track Watch”
    Calling all journalists, academics, planners, lawyers, political activists, environmentalists, and other members of the public who believe that the relationships between vested interests and politicians need to be scrutinised. We need to work together to make sure that the new Fast-Track Approvals Bill – currently being pushed through by the ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    2 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell on fast track powers, media woes and the Tiktok ban
    Feel worried. Shane Jones and a couple of his Cabinet colleagues are about to be granted the power to override any and all objections to projects like dams, mines, roads etc even if: said projects will harm biodiversity, increase global warming and cause other environmental harms, and even if ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    2 days ago

  • The Government’s new fast-track invitation to corruption
    Bryce Edwards writes-  The ability of the private sector to quickly establish major new projects making use of the urban and natural environment is to be supercharged by the new National-led Government. Yesterday it introduced to Parliament one of its most significant reforms, the Fast Track Approvals Bill. ...
    Point of OrderBy gadams1000
    2 days ago

  • Maori push for parallel government structures
    Michael Bassett writes – If you think there is a move afoot by the radical Maori fringe of New Zealand society to create a parallel system of government to the one that we elect at our triennial elections, you aren’t wrong. Over the last few days we have ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • An announcement about an announcement
    Without a corresponding drop in interest rates, it’s doubtful any changes to the CCCFA will unleash a massive rush of home buyers. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: The six things that stood out to me in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, poverty and climate on Monday, April 22 included:The Government making a ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago

  • All the Green Tech in China.
    Sunday was a lazy day. I started watching Jack Tame on Q&A, the interviews are usually good for something to write about. Saying the things that the politicians won’t, but are quite possibly thinking. Things that are true and need to be extracted from between the lines.As you might know ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago

  • Western Express Success
    In our Weekly Roundup last week we covered news from Auckland Transport that the WX1 Western Express is going to get an upgrade next year with double decker electric buses. As part of the announcement, AT also said “Since we introduced the WX1 Western Express last November we have seen ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    2 days ago

  • Bernard’s pick ‘n’ mix of the news links at 7:16am on Monday, April 22
    TL;DR: These six news links stood out in the last 24 hours to 7:16am on Monday, April 22:Labour says Kiwis at greater risk from loan sharks as Govt plans to remove borrowing regulations NZ Herald Jenee TibshraenyHow did the cost of moving two schools blow out to more than $400m?A ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago

  • The Kaka’s diary for the week to April 29 and beyond
    TL;DR: The six key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to April 29 include:PM Christopher Luxon is scheduled to hold a post-Cabinet news conference at 4 pm today. Stats NZ releases its statutory report on Census 2023 tomorrow.Finance Minister Nicola Willis delivers a pre-Budget speech at ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago

  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #16
    A listing of 29 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 14, 2024 thru Sat, April 20, 2024. Story of the week Our story of the week hinges on these words from the abstract of a fresh academic ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: The Government’s new fast-track invitation to corruption
    The ability of the private sector to quickly establish major new projects making use of the urban and natural environment is to be supercharged by the new National-led Government. Yesterday it introduced to Parliament one of its most significant reforms, the Fast Track Approvals Bill. The Government says this will ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    3 days ago

  • Thank you
    This is a column to say thank you. So many of have been in touch since Mum died to say so many kind and thoughtful things. You’re wonderful, all of you. You’ve asked how we’re doing, how Dad’s doing. A little more realisation each day, of the irretrievable finality of ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago

  • Determining the Engine Type in Your Car
    Identifying the engine type in your car is crucial for various reasons, including maintenance, repairs, and performance upgrades. Knowing the specific engine model allows you to access detailed technical information, locate compatible parts, and make informed decisions about modifications. This comprehensive guide will provide you with a step-by-step approach to ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    3 days ago

  • How to Become a Race Car Driver: A Comprehensive Guide
    Introduction: The allure of racing is undeniable. The thrill of speed, the roar of engines, and the exhilaration of competition all contribute to the allure of this adrenaline-driven sport. For those who yearn to experience the pinnacle of racing, becoming a race car driver is the ultimate dream. However, the ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    3 days ago

  • How Many Cars Are There in the World in 2023? An Exploration of Global Automotive Statistics
    Introduction Automobiles have become ubiquitous in modern society, serving as a primary mode of transportation and a symbol of economic growth and personal mobility. With countless vehicles traversing roads and highways worldwide, it begs the question: how many cars are there in the world? Determining the precise number is a ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    3 days ago

  • How Long Does It Take for Car Inspection?
    Maintaining a safe and reliable vehicle requires regular inspections. Whether it’s a routine maintenance checkup or a safety inspection, knowing how long the process will take can help you plan your day accordingly. This article delves into the factors that influence the duration of a car inspection and provides an ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    3 days ago

  • Who Makes Mazda Cars?
    Mazda Motor Corporation, commonly known as Mazda, is a Japanese multinational automaker headquartered in Fuchu, Aki District, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. The company was founded in 1920 as the Toyo Cork Kogyo Co., Ltd., and began producing vehicles in 1931. Mazda is primarily known for its production of passenger cars, but ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    3 days ago

  • How Often to Replace Your Car Battery A Comprehensive Guide
    Your car battery is an essential component that provides power to start your engine, operate your electrical systems, and store energy. Over time, batteries can weaken and lose their ability to hold a charge, which can lead to starting problems, power failures, and other issues. Replacing your battery before it ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    3 days ago

  • Can You Register a Car Without a License?
    In most states, you cannot register a car without a valid driver’s license. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. Exceptions to the Rule If you are under 18 years old: In some states, you can register a car in your name even if you do not ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    3 days ago

  • Mazda: A Comprehensive Evaluation of Reliability, Value, and Performance
    Mazda, a Japanese automotive manufacturer with a rich history of innovation and engineering excellence, has emerged as a formidable player in the global car market. Known for its reputation of producing high-quality, fuel-efficient, and driver-oriented vehicles, Mazda has consistently garnered praise from industry experts and consumers alike. In this article, ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    3 days ago

  • What Are Struts on a Car?
    Struts are an essential part of a car’s suspension system. They are responsible for supporting the weight of the car and damping the oscillations of the springs. Struts are typically made of steel or aluminum and are filled with hydraulic fluid. How Do Struts Work? Struts work by transferring the ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    3 days ago

  • What Does Car Registration Look Like: A Comprehensive Guide
    Car registration is a mandatory process that all vehicle owners must complete annually. This process involves registering your car with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and paying an associated fee. The registration process ensures that your vehicle is properly licensed and insured, and helps law enforcement and other authorities ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    3 days ago

  • How to Share Computer Audio on Zoom
    Zoom is a video conferencing service that allows you to share your screen, webcam, and audio with other participants. In addition to sharing your own audio, you can also share the audio from your computer with other participants. This can be useful for playing music, sharing presentations with audio, or ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    4 days ago

  • How Long Does It Take to Build a Computer?
    Building your own computer can be a rewarding and cost-effective way to get a high-performance machine tailored to your specific needs. However, it also requires careful planning and execution, and one of the most important factors to consider is the time it will take. The exact time it takes to ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    4 days ago

  • How to Put Your Computer to Sleep
    Sleep mode is a power-saving state that allows your computer to quickly resume operation without having to boot up from scratch. This can be useful if you need to step away from your computer for a short period of time but don’t want to shut it down completely. There are ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    4 days ago

  • What is Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT)?
    Introduction Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) has revolutionized the field of translation by harnessing the power of technology to assist human translators in their work. This innovative approach combines specialized software with human expertise to improve the efficiency, accuracy, and consistency of translations. In this comprehensive article, we will delve into the ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    4 days ago

  • iPad vs. Tablet Computers A Comprehensive Guide to Differences
    In today’s digital age, mobile devices have become an indispensable part of our daily lives. Among the vast array of portable computing options available, iPads and tablet computers stand out as two prominent contenders. While both offer similar functionalities, there are subtle yet significant differences between these two devices. This ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    4 days ago

  • How Are Computers Made?
    A computer is an electronic device that can be programmed to carry out a set of instructions. The basic components of a computer are the processor, memory, storage, input devices, and output devices. The Processor The processor, also known as the central processing unit (CPU), is the brain of the ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    4 days ago

  • How to Add Voice Memos from iPhone to Computer
    Voice Memos is a convenient app on your iPhone that allows you to quickly record and store audio snippets. These recordings can be useful for a variety of purposes, such as taking notes, capturing ideas, or recording interviews. While you can listen to your voice memos on your iPhone, you ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    4 days ago

  • Why My Laptop Screen Has Lines on It: A Comprehensive Guide
    Laptop screens are essential for interacting with our devices and accessing information. However, when lines appear on the screen, it can be frustrating and disrupt productivity. Understanding the underlying causes of these lines is crucial for finding effective solutions. Types of Screen Lines Horizontal lines: Also known as scan ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    4 days ago

  • How to Right-Click on a Laptop
    Right-clicking is a common and essential computer operation that allows users to access additional options and settings. While most desktop computers have dedicated right-click buttons on their mice, laptops often do not have these buttons due to space limitations. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on how to right-click ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    4 days ago

  • Where is the Power Button on an ASUS Laptop?
    Powering up and shutting down your ASUS laptop is an essential task for any laptop user. Locating the power button can sometimes be a hassle, especially if you’re new to ASUS laptops. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on where to find the power button on different ASUS laptop ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    4 days ago

  • How to Start a Dell Laptop: A Comprehensive Guide
    Dell laptops are renowned for their reliability, performance, and versatility. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or just someone who needs a reliable computing device, a Dell laptop can meet your needs. However, if you’re new to Dell laptops, you may be wondering how to get started. In this comprehensive ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    4 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: Serious populist discontent is bubbling up in New Zealand
    Two-thirds of the country think that “New Zealand’s economy is rigged to advantage the rich and powerful”. They also believe that “New Zealand needs a strong leader to take the country back from the rich and powerful”. These are just two of a handful of stunning new survey results released ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    4 days ago

  • How to Take a Screenshot on an Asus Laptop A Comprehensive Guide with Detailed Instructions and Illu...
    In today’s digital world, screenshots have become an indispensable tool for communication and documentation. Whether you need to capture an important email, preserve a website page, or share an error message, screenshots allow you to quickly and easily preserve digital information. If you’re an Asus laptop user, there are several ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    4 days ago

  • How to Factory Reset Gateway Laptop A Comprehensive Guide
    A factory reset restores your Gateway laptop to its original factory settings, erasing all data, apps, and personalizations. This can be necessary to resolve software issues, remove viruses, or prepare your laptop for sale or transfer. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to factory reset your Gateway laptop: Method 1: ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    4 days ago

  • The Folly Of Impermanence.
    “You talking about me?”  The neoliberal denigration of the past was nowhere more unrelenting than in its depiction of the public service. The Post Office and the Railways were held up as being both irremediably inefficient and scandalously over-manned. Playwright Roger Hall’s “Glide Time” caricatures were presented as accurate depictions of ...
    Bowalley Road
    4 days ago

  • A crisis of ambition
    Roger Partridge  writes – When the Coalition Government took office last October, it inherited a country on a precipice. With persistent inflation, decades of insipid productivity growth and crises in healthcare, education, housing and law and order, it is no exaggeration to suggest New Zealand’s first-world status was ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Have 308 people in the Education Ministry’s Curriculum Development Team spent over $100m on a 60-p...
    Rob MacCulloch writes – In 2022, the Curriculum Centre at the Ministry of Education employed 308 staff, according to an Official Information Request. Earlier this week it was announced 202 of those staff were being cut. When you look up “The New Zealand Curriculum” on the Ministry of ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • 'This bill is dangerous for the environment and our democracy'
    Chris Bishop’s bill has stirred up a hornets nest of opposition. Photo: Lynn Grieveson for The KākāTL;DR: The six things that stood out to me in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, poverty and climate from the last day included:A crescendo of opposition to the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill is ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago

  • The Bank of our Tamariki and Mokopuna.
    Monday left me brokenTuesday, I was through with hopingWednesday, my empty arms were openThursday, waiting for love, waiting for loveThe end of another week that left many of us asking WTF? What on earth has NZ gotten itself into and how on earth could people have voluntarily signed up for ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago

  • The worth of it all
    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.State of humanity, 20242024, it feels, keeps presenting us with ever more challenges, ever more dismay.Do you give up yet? It seems to ask.No? How about this? Or this?How about this?Full story Share ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • What is the Hardest Sport in the World?
    Determining the hardest sport in the world is a subjective matter, as the difficulty level can vary depending on individual abilities, physical attributes, and experience. However, based on various factors including physical demands, technical skills, mental fortitude, and overall accomplishment, here is an exploration of some of the most challenging ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    4 days ago

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • Minister welcomes hydrogen milestone
    Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    11 hours ago

  • Urgent changes to system through first RMA Amendment Bill
    The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    18 hours ago

  • Overseas decommissioning models considered
    Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    18 hours ago

  • Release of North Island Severe Weather Event Inquiry
    Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    19 hours ago

  • Justice Minister to attend Human Rights Council
    Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order.  “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Patterson reopens world’s largest wool scouring facility
    Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Speech to the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective Summit, 18 April 2024
    Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing  At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin    Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho    Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today.    I am delighted ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Government to introduce revised Three Strikes law
    The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • New diplomatic appointments
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions.   “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says.    “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Humanitarian support for Ethiopia and Somalia
    New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today.   “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Arts Minister congratulates Mataaho Collective
    Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale.  “It is good ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Supporting better financial outcomes for Kiwis
    The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. “Our coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Trade relationship with China remains strong
    “China remains a strong commercial opportunity for Kiwi exporters as Chinese businesses and consumers continue to value our high-quality safe produce,” Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says.   Mr McClay has returned to New Zealand following visits to Beijing, Harbin and Shanghai where he met ministers, governors and mayors and engaged in trade and agricultural events with the New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • PM’s South East Asia mission does the business
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

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

  • Minister releases Fast-track stakeholder list
    The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Judicial appointments announced
    Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Education Minister heads to major teaching summit in Singapore
    Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa.  The summit is co-hosted ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Value of stopbank project proven during cyclone
    A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Anzac commemorations, Türkiye relationship focus of visit
    Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul.    “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Minister to Europe for OECD meeting, Anzac Day
    Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Comprehensive Partnership the goal for NZ and the Philippines
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr.  The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Government commits $20m to Westport flood protection
    The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Taupō takes pole position
    The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Cost of living support for low-income homeowners
    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners.  “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Government backing mussel spat project
    The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Government focused on getting people into work
    Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Clean energy key driver to reducing emissions
    The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Earthquake-prone buildings review brought forward
    The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Thailand and NZ to agree to Strategic Partnership
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Government consults on extending coastal permits for ports
    RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Inflation coming down, but more work to do
    Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • School attendance restored as a priority in health advice
    Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Unnecessary bureaucracy cut in oceans sector
    Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Patterson promoting NZ’s wool sector at International Congress
    Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector.    "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Removing red tape to help early learners thrive
    The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • RMA changes to cut coal mining consent red tape
    Changes to the Resource Management Act will align consenting for coal mining to other forms of mining to reduce barriers that are holding back economic development, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The inconsistent treatment of coal mining compared with other extractive activities is burdensome red tape that fails to acknowledge ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • McClay reaffirms strong NZ-China trade relationship
    Trade, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay has concluded productive discussions with ministerial counterparts in Beijing today, in support of the New Zealand-China trade and economic relationship. “My meeting with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed the complementary nature of the bilateral trade relationship, with our Free Trade Agreement at its ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Prime Minister Luxon acknowledges legacy of Singapore Prime Minister Lee
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today paid tribute to Singapore’s outgoing Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.   Meeting in Singapore today immediately before Prime Minister Lee announced he was stepping down, Prime Minister Luxon warmly acknowledged his counterpart’s almost twenty years as leader, and the enduring legacy he has left for Singapore and South East ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • PMs Luxon and Lee deepen Singapore-NZ ties
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. While in Singapore as part of his visit to South East Asia this week, Prime Minister Luxon also met with Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and will meet with Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.  During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-04-23T16:11:36+00:00