Hit and Run – time for an inquiry
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- Date published:
10:37 am, March 22nd, 2017 - 21 comments
Categories: Abuse of power, accountability, afghanistan, books, International, john key, national, Politics, same old national, war -
Tags: andrew geddis, jon stephenson, nicky hager, tim watkins
Hager’s latest book has now been released. My very initial response when I saw the subject was a slight degree of disappointment. I was wondering if it would reveal the reasons why John Key resigned. It was about a military cover up, no overt politics, no salacious details of the evil things that National’s operatives have been doing.
But after a very short while it started to really hit. According to Hager, and I have many reasons to respect his judgment, New Zealand SAS forces were involved in the killing and wounding of innocent civilians. Men Women and Children. People living in a land where New Zealand forces had travelled to and were meant to be engaged in the rebuilding of. And then according to Hager they covered it up.
From the Hit and Run website:
The book describes a series of operations which proved to be ill-conceived, tragic and disastrous. These included an SAS attack on two isolated villages in Afghanistan’s Baghlan province where they mistakenly believed they would find the insurgents who’d attacked a New Zealand patrol 19 days earlier in neighbouring Bamiyan. SAS officers commanded and led the attack, supported by US and Afghan forces.
The insurgent group wasn’t there. Instead, at least 21 civilians were killed and injured – many of them women and children – and the SAS and US forces burned and blew up about a dozen houses. The SAS also failed to help the wounded. The defence force and government then tried to keep the whole thing secret. They have never admitted nor taken responsibility for what they did.
In a second raid on one of the villages about 10 days later, the SAS destroyed more property. When they eventually caught one of the targeted insurgents in Kabul he was beaten before being handed to the Afghan secret police and tortured.
Fragments of the story have reached the public before but the vast majority has remained secret until now. It is much worse than anyone knew. As former chief human rights commissioner Margaret Bedggood says, there needs to be a full, principled and independent inquiry into the actions described in this book, which, if confirmed, would seriously breach international law.
Pundit has very well informed take on the issue. Its group of authors coincidentally include Wayne Mapp, Minister of Defence at the time of the incident as well as Nicky Hager. I wonder if their authors ever meet?
Tim Watkin has written this post where he concentrated on what the Government knew and what they had previously said about the incident. He records this interaction between Guyon Espiner and Mapp back in 2011.
GUYON There’s an Associated Press report around that time that contains a claim that a number of civilians were killed during that operation.
DR MAPP And that’s been investigated and proven to be false.
GUYON So no civilians were killed in that? You’re satisfied about that? You’ve seen some reports on it?
DR MAPP I am satisfied around that.
GUYON Only insurgents were killed in that operation?
DR MAPP I am satisfied around that.
But this was subsequently contradicted in 2014 by then Minister of Defence Jonathan Coleman. He was asked about the incident and did not deny that civilians had been killed, only that the SAS was not involved. From Stuff:
Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman has categorically denied New Zealand troops were involved in the deaths of Afghan civilians in a 2010 raid.
But he could not rule out that deaths did occur at the hands of foreign forces.
Andrew Geddis has written passionately about the book and the incident. His must read post starts off with this:
Think of a three-year-old girl. Maybe she’s your daughter. Maybe she’s your niece. Maybe she’s your friend’s child. But think of her.
Now think of her screaming in terror as her mother carries her from her home while helicopters pour 30mm exploding cannon shells into it. Then think of her screams ending as a piece of shrapnel from one of those shells smashes through her skull and kills her.
For Nicky Hager and John Stephenson’s book, Hit & Run: The New Zealand SAS in Afghanistan and the meaning of honour, tells us in horrifying detail that this is what happened in a small Afghanistani farming village called Khak Khuday Dad early on the morning of 22 August, 2010. What sets this story aside from all the other sad, cruel deaths in that country is this small child – Fatima was her name – died because of us. Or, rather, she died because of the plans and actions of soldiers wearing our flag on their shoulders and our Kiwi on their vehicles.
And his conclusion is flawless in its logic:
Why, then, does any of this matter to us some seven years down the track? It matters first because we don’t yet know the answer to the most important questions: who ordered the U.S. Apache helicopters to fire into Khak Khuday Dad and why? Who fired the sniper shots that appear to have killed two unarmed civilians fleeing the burning village? Those matters require an urgent inquiry, for if it was New Zealand soldiers on the ground who did so, then our SAS actually has directly killed non-combatants. And directly killing non-combatants can be a war crime.
Second, the fact we as a people have been systemically lied to over what our soldiers do in our name is intolerable. Back in 2013, when it was revealed that the Defence Force included investigative journalists on a list of “hostile individuals” that threaten “subversion”, I said this:
If me, or people like me, finding out what it is you are doing in places like Afghanistan mean that the Defence Forces can’t do its job, then you shouldn’t be in those places in the first place. End of story. And if you can’t accept that these are the conditions under which you operate, then you shouldn’t be running the show. End of story.
I say that again now. If our SAS must dissemble and lie by omission or commission to those for whom they fight, then it should not be fighting. If military leaders and their political masters are complicit in those lies, then we should follow the German example and require their resignations.
Nicky Hager and Jon Stephenson should be congratulated in their work. Their resilience to the attacks that this Government had made on both of them over an extended period of time is legendary. They have performed a vital role in our democracy, they have refused to be silenced even though the full force of Government has been thrown against both of them and they have insisted that the truth is made public.
There needs to be an inquiry. Call me old fashioned but I have always taken the view that if members of my country’s military have engaged in war crimes then they should be tried. And if there has been a cover up then those responsible should be held accountable.
Hager’s book is going to cast a very dark cloud over John Key’s valedictory speech. Rod Emerson’s brilliant cartoon from this morning sums up why.
Hit and Run – in today's @nzherald #HitandRunNZ #HagerBookLaunch #Afghanistan #JohnKey pic.twitter.com/K6I5U75lbX
— Rod Emmerson (@rodemmerson) March 21, 2017
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- Green Party calls for stronger action by Auckland Council to protect urban trees and native forestThe Green Party is calling on Auckland Council to do more to protect urban trees and housing developer Aedifice Property Group to restore and replant the native forest it cleared, and protect all the remaining trees on Ngahere Road in Pukekohe after a significant number of native trees were cut ...3 days ago
- Release: Ram Raids drop to two-year lowLatest Police data shows monthly ram raids have hit a two-year low, laying waste to Christopher Luxon’s false claim that there are two ram raids a day says Labour’s Police Spokesperson Ginny Andersen. ...3 days ago
- Every party needs to step up on school lunchesLabour has finally said it would continue free school lunches - and the Green Party is calling on every party to step up. ...3 days ago
- Release: School lunches on the line this electionFree and healthy school lunches will be here to stay if Labour is re-elected, guaranteeing food for our kids who need it most and significant cost saving for parents. ...3 days ago
- Release: Labour commits to a new hospital for the people of Hawke’s BayThe next Labour Government will build a new hospital in Hawke’s Bay, Labour leader Chris Hipkins and Labour health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall announced. ...4 days ago
- Govt changes fall short of what’s needed for migrant protectionThe Green Party will keep up the fight to support exploited migrant workers, including pushing to end single employer visas, after the government picked up Green recommendations to improve immigration settings. ...5 days ago
- Clean Power Payment the smartest way forward to reduce emissions and billsGreen Party co leader James Shaw visited a home in Auckland today that has been upgraded with a wide range of energy improvements, similar to those that would be supported through the Green Party’s Clean Power Payment. ...5 days ago
- Foreign Minister's Action – A Contempt For “Caretaker Government” Convention
The Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta’s presence in New York today at the United Nations General Assembly is a contempt of New Zealand’s “caretaker government” convention. Despite the long-standing caretaker convention, Minister Mahuta is today at the UN to sign a highly contentious “Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement”, delivering a ...5 days ago - Back To Black ResponsiblyThe Pre-Election Fiscal Update Changes Everything Within an hour of this speech there is going to be a debate between the political parties that the media, under MMP, still think are the only parties that matter in this campaign. Both of those parties are riddled with inexperience, as evidenced by ...5 days ago
- Stop the cuts before they start – Labour launches new TV adNational and ACT's tax plans don't add up, and that means deep cuts to the public services New Zealanders rely on, says Labour Campaign Chair Megan Woods. ...6 days ago
- Free school lunches paid for with a wealth taxThe Green Party will expand free school lunches and pay for it with a fair tax system. ...6 days ago
- The Pacific Reset & the Blue ContinentThank you for your invitation to speak with you this afternoon about New Zealand Foreign Policy. After offering one or two general thoughts about the nature of foreign policy, the focus today will be the Pacific Reset and why its goals remain even more important today as when they were ...7 days ago
- Release: Huge hole in National’s climate budgetNational’s plan to cut policies that are reducing New Zealand’s climate emissions will result in a huge gap in the country’s emissions budgets and could see Kiwis paying significantly more at the petrol pump as a result of Christopher Luxon hiking the ETS price. ...7 days ago
- Greens would push Labour much further on solar powerLabour’s plan to support rooftop solar is a step in the right direction, but falls short of what could be achieved through the Green Party’s Clean Power Payment. ...1 week ago
- Release: Doubling rooftop solar to reduce bills & emissionsLabour will double the number of houses with rooftop solar in New Zealand, lowering household power bills, reducing emissions and boosting renewable electricity generation. ...1 week ago
- Release: Labour will advance women’s health, careers, and legal protectionsA re-elected Labour Government will continue its proud tradition of advancing women’s health, employment, and legal rights Spokesperson for Women Jan Tinetti said. ...1 week ago
- Green Party confirms plan for five weeks annual leaveSpeaking at the E Tū Election Launch in Auckland today, Green Party co leader Marama Davidson outlined the Green Party’s manifesto commitment to ensure everyone has five weeks of annual leave. ...1 week ago
- Release: Labour to keep lifting worker wages and rightsA re-elected Labour Government will protect hard-fought workers’ rights and keep the momentum on wage growth to lift incomes for all New Zealanders, leader Chris Hipkins announced today. ...1 week ago
- New Zealand First Party List 2023New Zealand First is proud to announce the Party List for the upcoming 2023 General Election. We have had a great number of applicants and potential candidates moving through the selection process over the past few months. Our final selection for our list proves we have a wide range ...1 week ago
- A National/ACT Government would make life miserable for those already worst offOnly a party vote for the Greens will end poverty. ACT’S welfare policy announced today is as cruel as it gets. ...1 week ago
- Release: Willis’ resignation call means only one thing – $2 billion more cutsMassive cuts to public service are on the cards as Nicola Willis has promised to resign if she doesn’t deliver tax cuts but is refusing to make the same commitment if she doesn’t raise enough income from her bungled foreign buyer’s tax. ...1 week ago
- Release: A faster justice system focused on victimsLabour will help more victims of crime achieve justice faster by introducing a formal class-action regime, modernising consent laws and increasing the use of technology to speed up hearings. ...1 week ago
- Release: Gaping hole confirmed in National’s tax planA whopping $2.1 billion dollar hole has been confirmed in National’s tax scheme in a new report released today. ...2 weeks ago
- Labour pledges biggest ever increase to training DoctorsLabour will deliver the largest ever increase to the number of doctors trained each year, adding an additional 335 doctors a year to our health workforce from 2027, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins has announced. ...2 weeks ago
- PREFU Exposes Political PromisesToday’s PREFU has some alarming statistics showing an economy deteriorating and the cost of unaffordable government expenditure, mainly in the 2022 and 2023 budgets. Despite this alarming economic and fiscal picture, political parties are making unaffordable promises, talking about a surplus by 2027, or four years time, all of which ...2 weeks ago
- State of books makes clear case for wealth taxThe case for a wealth tax has never been stronger. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Labour pledges free cervical screeningIf re-elected Labour will make cervical screening services free to all women and people with a cervix aged 25 – 69 years, delivering better cancer care for over 1.4 million New Zealanders. ...2 weeks ago
- Chris Hipkins sets out 9 key pledges to New ZealandLabour Leader Chris Hipkins has set out nine key pledges to be achieved in his first full term as Prime Minister. ...2 weeks ago
- Labour's Plan 2023Labour is running a positive, forward-looking campaign that's focused on fixing the cost of living, keeping people and communities safe and investing in education, health and housing. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Coalition of Cuts and Chaos would be NZ’s most unstable governmentStatements from David Seymour and Winston Peters have called into question whether National would be able to lead a functional government if they were in a position to do so after the election. ...2 weeks ago
- Healthy Ocean Act – Marama Davidson SpeechHe mōhio ō tātou tīpuna ki te tirotiro taiao. ...2 weeks ago
- Greens will demand Minister for Oceans and Fisheries to lead ocean rescue planThe Green Party will protect 30% of the ocean by 2030, create an independent Ocean Commission to advise the government, and put a Green Minister for Oceans and Fisheries in charge of making it happen. ...2 weeks ago
- Plan for 3,000 more public homes by 2025 – regions set to benefit
Regions around the country will get significant boosts of public housing in the next two years, as outlined in the latest public housing plan update, released by the Housing Minister, Dr Megan Woods. “We’re delivering the most public homes each year since the Nash government of the 1950s with one ...1 day ago - Immigration settings updatesJudicial warrant process for out-of-hours compliance visits 2023/24 Recognised Seasonal Employer cap increased by 500 Additional roles for Construction and Infrastructure Sector Agreement More roles added to Green List Three-month extension for onshore Recovery Visa holders The Government has confirmed a number of updates to immigration settings as part of ...2 days ago
- Poroporoaki: Tā Patrick (Patu) Wahanga HohepaTangi ngunguru ana ngā tai ki te wahapū o Hokianga Whakapau Karakia. Tārehu ana ngā pae maunga ki Te Puna o te Ao Marama. Korihi tangi ana ngā manu, kua hinga he kauri nui ki te Wao Nui o Tāne. He Toa. He Pou. He Ahorangi. E papaki tū ana ...3 days ago
- COVID-19 funding returned to GovernmentThe lifting of COVID-19 isolation and mask mandates in August has resulted in a return of almost $50m in savings and recovered contingencies, Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall announced today. Following the revocation of mandates and isolation, specialised COVID-19 telehealth and alternative isolation accommodation are among the operational elements ...3 days ago
- Appointment of District Court JudgeSusie Houghton of Auckland has been appointed as a new District Court Judge, to serve on the Family Court, Attorney-General David Parker said today. Judge Houghton has acted as a lawyer for child for more than 20 years. She has acted on matters relating to the Hague Convention, an international ...3 days ago
- Government invests further in Central Hawke’s Bay resilienceThe Government has today confirmed $2.5 million to fund a replace and upgrade a stopbank to protect the Waipawa Drinking Water Treatment Plant. “As a result of Cyclone Gabrielle, the original stopbank protecting the Waipawa Drinking Water Treatment Plant was destroyed. The plant was operational within 6 weeks of the ...4 days ago
- Govt boost for Hawke’s Bay cyclone waste clean-upAnother $2.1 million to boost capacity to deal with waste left in Cyclone Gabrielle’s wake. Funds for Hastings District Council, Phoenix Contracting and Hog Fuel NZ to increase local waste-processing infrastructure. The Government is beefing up Hawke’s Bay’s Cyclone Gabrielle clean-up capacity with more support dealing with the massive amount ...4 days ago
- Taupō Supercars revs up with Government supportThe future of Supercars events in New Zealand has been secured with new Government support. The Government is getting engines started through the Major Events Fund, a special fund to support high profile events in New Zealand that provide long-term economic, social and cultural benefits. “The Repco Supercars Championship is ...4 days ago
- There is no recession in NZ, economy grows nearly 1 percent in June quarterThe economy has turned a corner with confirmation today New Zealand never was in recession and stronger than expected growth in the June quarter, Finance Minister Grant Robertson said. “The New Zealand economy is doing better than expected,” Grant Robertson said. “It’s continuing to grow, with the latest figures showing ...4 days ago
- Highest legal protection for New Zealand’s largest freshwater springsThe Government has accepted the Environment Court’s recommendation to give special legal protection to New Zealand’s largest freshwater springs, Te Waikoropupū Springs (also known as Pupū Springs), Environment Minister David Parker announced today. “Te Waikoropupū Springs, near Takaka in Golden Bay, have the second clearest water in New Zealand after ...4 days ago
- More support for victims of migrant exploitationTemporary package of funding for accommodation and essential living support for victims of migrant exploitation Exploited migrant workers able to apply for a further Migrant Exploitation Protection Visa (MEPV), giving people more time to find a job Free job search assistance to get people back into work Use of 90-day ...5 days ago
- Strong export boost as NZ economy turns cornerAn export boost is supporting New Zealand’s economy to grow, adding to signs that the economy has turned a corner and is on a stronger footing as we rebuild from Cyclone Gabrielle and lock in the benefits of multiple new trade deals, Finance Minister Grant Robertson says. “The economy is ...5 days ago
- Funding approved for flood resilience work in Te KarakaThe Government has approved $15 million to raise about 200 homes at risk of future flooding. More than half of this is expected to be spent in the Tairāwhiti settlement of Te Karaka, lifting about 100 homes there. “Te Karaka was badly hit during Cyclone Gabrielle when the Waipāoa River ...5 days ago
- Further business support for cyclone-affected regionsThe Government is helping businesses recover from Cyclone Gabrielle and attract more people back into their regions. “Cyclone Gabrielle has caused considerable damage across North Island regions with impacts continuing to be felt by businesses and communities,” Economic Development Minister Barbara Edmonds said. “Building on our earlier business support, this ...5 days ago
- New maintenance facility at Burnham Military Camp underwayDefence Minister Andrew Little has turned the first sod to start construction of a new Maintenance Support Facility (MSF) at Burnham Military Camp today. “This new state-of-art facility replaces Second World War-era buildings and will enable our Defence Force to better maintain and repair equipment,” Andrew Little said. “This Government ...5 days ago
- Foreign Minister to attend United Nations General AssemblyForeign Minister Nanaia Mahuta will represent New Zealand at the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York this week, before visiting Washington DC for further Pacific focussed meetings. Nanaia Mahuta will be in New York from Wednesday 20 September, and will participate in UNGA leaders ...6 days ago
- Midwives’ pay equity offer reachedAround 1,700 Te Whatu Ora employed midwives and maternity care assistants will soon vote on a proposed pay equity settlement agreed by Te Whatu Ora, the Midwifery Employee Representation and Advisory Service (MERAS) and New Zealand Nurses Association (NZNO), Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall announced today. “Addressing historical pay ...1 week ago
- New Zealand provides support to MoroccoAotearoa New Zealand will provide humanitarian support to those affected by last week’s earthquake in Morocco, Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta announced today. “We are making a contribution of $1 million to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to help meet humanitarian needs,” Nanaia Mahuta said. ...2 weeks ago
- Government invests in West Coast’s roading resilienceThe Government is investing over $22 million across 18 projects to improve the resilience of roads in the West Coast that have been affected by recent extreme weather, Prime Minister Chris Hipkins confirmed today. A dedicated Transport Resilience Fund has been established for early preventative works to protect the state ...2 weeks ago
- Government invests in Greymouth’s futureThe Government has today confirmed a $2 million grant towards the regeneration of Greymouth’s CBD with construction of a new two-level commercial and public facility. “It will include a visitor facility centred around a new library. Additionally, it will include retail outlets on the ground floor, and both outdoor and ...2 weeks ago
- Nanaia Mahuta to attend PIF Foreign Ministers’ MeetingForeign Minister Nanaia Mahuta will attend the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, in Suva, Fiji alongside New Zealand’s regional counterparts. “Aotearoa New Zealand is deeply committed to working with our pacific whanau to strengthen our cooperation, and share ways to combat the challenges facing the Blue Pacific Continent,” ...2 weeks ago
- PREFU shows no recession, growing economy, more jobs and wages ahead of inflationEconomy to grow 2.6 percent on average over forecast period Treasury not forecasting a recession Inflation to return to the 1-3 percent target band next year Wages set to grow 4.8 percent a year over forecast period Unemployment to peak below the long-term average Fiscal Rules met - Net debt ...2 weeks ago
- New cancer centre opens in ChristchurchPrime Minister Chris Hipkins and Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall proudly opened the Canterbury Cancer Centre in Christchurch today. The new facility is the first of its kind and was built with $6.5 million of funding from the Government’s Infrastructure Reference Group scheme for shovel-ready projects allocated in 2020. ...2 weeks ago
- Government invests in top of the south’s roading resilience$12 million to improve the resilience of roads in the Nelson, Marlborough and Tasman regions Hope Bypass earmarked in draft Government Policy Statement on land transport $127 million invested in the top of the south’s roads since flooding in 2021 and 2022 The Government is investing over $12 million to ...2 weeks ago
- New Zealanders continue to support the revitalisation of te reo as we celebrate Te Wiki o te Reo Mā...Ko tēnei te wiki e whakanui ana i tō tātou reo rangatira. Ko te wā tuku reo Māori, e whakanuia tahitia ai te reo ahakoa kei hea ake tēnā me tēnā o tātou, ka tū ā te Rātū te 14 o Mahuru, ā te 12 o ngā hāora i te ahiahi. ...2 weeks ago
- New Wildlife Act to better protect native speciesThe 70-year-old Wildlife Act will be replaced with modern, fit-for-purpose legislation to better protect native species and improve biodiversity, Minister of Conservation Willow-Jean Prime has announced. “New species legislation is urgently needed to address New Zealand’s biodiversity crisis,” Willow-Jean Prime said. “More than 4,000 of our native species are currently ...2 weeks ago
- Further safety initiatives for Auckland City CentreCentral and Local Government are today announcing a range of new measures to tackle low-level crime and anti-social behaviour in the Auckland CBD to complement Police scaling up their presence in the area. “Police have an important role to play in preventing and responding to crime, but there is more ...2 weeks ago
- Govt confirms additional support for Enabling Good LivesThe Government has confirmed $73.7 million over the next four years and a further $40.5m in outyears to continue to transform the disability support system, Minister for Disability Issues Priyanca Radhakrishnan has announced. “The Enabling Good Lives (EGL) approach is a framework which guides positive change for disabled people, ...2 weeks ago
- New Zealand gets AAA credit rating from S&PStandard and Poor’s is the latest independent credit rating agency to endorse the Government’s economic management in the face of a deteriorating global economy. S&P affirmed New Zealand’s long term local currency rating at AAA and foreign currency rating at AA+ with a stable outlook. It follows Fitch affirming New ...2 weeks ago
- Appointment of Environment Court JudgeChristchurch barrister Kelvin Reid has been appointed as a Judge of the Environment Court and the District Court, Attorney-General David Parker announced today. Mr Reid has extensive experience in Resource Management Act issues, including water quality throughout the South Island. He was appointed to the Technical Advisory Group advising the ...2 weeks ago
- NZ’s biggest ever emissions reduction project hits milestoneNew Zealand is on track to have greener steel as soon as 2026 with New Zealand Steel’s electric arc furnace project reaching a major milestone today. The Government announced a conditional partnership with New Zealand Steel in May to deliver the country’s largest emissions reduction project to date. Half of ...2 weeks ago
- Poroporoaki: Paki Leslie Māngai NikoraPokia ana te tihi Taiarahia e Hine-Pūkohu-rangi Hotu kau ana te manawa! Horahia ana te whārua o Ruātoki e te kapua pouri Tikaro rawahia ko te whatumanawa! Rere whakamuri kau ana te awa o Hinemataroa Ki te kawe i te rongo ki te mātāpuna i nga pōngaihu Maungapōhatu, tuohu ...3 weeks ago
- 50,000 charges laid in crack down on gangsPolice Minister Ginny Andersen has today congratulated Police in their efforts to crack down on gangs, after laying 50,000 charges against gang members and their associates through the hugely successful Operation Cobalt. As at 31 August, Police have: Laid 50,396 criminal charges against gang members and their associates Issued 64,524 ...3 weeks ago
- Farmers and cyclone-affected properties supported with tax rule changesThe Government has confirmed details of the tax changes to the bright-line test for cyclone-damaged properties, with the release of the required legislative amendments. Revenue Minister Barbara Edmonds has released a Supplementary Order Paper (SOP) to be considered by the Finance and Expenditure Committee in the next Parliament, as it ...3 weeks ago
- New Zealand wins CPTPP dispute against CanadaMinister for Trade and Export Growth Damien O’Connor has welcomed the CPTPP Panel’s ruling in favour of New Zealand in our dispute against Canada, a significant win for our primary sector exporters. The Panel found that Canada’s dairy quota administration is inconsistent with its obligations under the Comprehensive and Progressive ...3 weeks ago
- The RMA is dead, long live the RMA: why NZ’s resource laws won’t change overnight after this ele...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jeffrey McNeill, Senior Lecturer in Resource & Environmental Planning, Massey University RMA – three letters that have struck fear into a generation of farmers, developers, politicians and anyone building a house. Or so legend would have it. Whatever its original goal of ...36 mins ago - Luxon confident he could make three-way coalition work
Christopher Luxon has told reporters on the campaign trail in Matamata that he could manage a multi-party coalition with both Act and New Zealand First, if needed. In a social media video this morning, Luxon finally revealed that he was open to working with Winston Peters if the votes fell ...54 mins ago - Newsletter: September 25 2023 – Items of interest and importance todayNew Zealand Politics Daily is a collation of the most prominent issues being discussed in New Zealand. It is edited by Dr Bryce Edwards of The Democracy Project. NZ Politics Daily: 25 September 2023 NZ FIRST, COALITION WITH NATIONAL 1News: National’s Christopher Luxon would work with NZ First if he has to ...58 mins ago
- Rt Hon Winston Peters RE: The Call For Corporate Manslaughter Legislation
This matter begins with the Pike River investigation being inadequate, inexplicably lengthy, and after millions of dollars, the evidence that should have been placed before the public still has not been. We have always believed that Pike River is ...1 hour ago - Election 2023: Labour releases climate manifesto with more policy plans
Labour has revealed policies for a second emissions reduction plan, a new ministerial role, and increasing renewable electricity generation. ...2 hours ago - Election 2023: The tertiary education policies in two minutesHundreds of thousands of New Zealanders engage with the tertiary education sector each year. Here’s everything you need to know about funding, governance, student allowances, fees and research in two minutes. See more from our policy in two minutes series here. More than 300,000 New Zealanders are enrolled in programmes ...2 hours ago
- Government’s employment white paper commits to jobs for all who want them – and help to get themSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The employment white paper, released on Monday, has outlined multiple measures the Albanese government will implement to assist the about three million people who want jobs or more hours of work. They include making ...2 hours ago
- Government’s employment white paper commits to jobs for all who want them – and help to get themSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The employment white paper, released on Monday, has outlined multiple measures the Albanese government will implement to assist the about three million people who want jobs or more hours of work. They include making ...2 hours ago
- What it’s like to wear the most expensive diamond ring in New ZealandThe biggest and most expensive diamond ring to be auctioned in New Zealand went under the hammer in Auckland on Sunday. In the name of luxury, Gabi Lardies went and tried it on. The bubbles are on ice, the scented candles are lit and I am quite explicit about not ...2 hours ago
- Do blue-light glasses really work? Can they reduce eye strain or help me sleep?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Laura Downie, Associate Professor in Optometry and Vision Sciences, The University of Melbourne Shutterstock Blue-light glasses are said to reduce eye strain when using computers, improve your sleep and protect your eye health. You can buy them yourself or your ...2 hours ago
- Do blue-light glasses really work? Can they reduce eye strain or help me sleep?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Laura Downie, Associate Professor in Optometry and Vision Sciences, The University of Melbourne Shutterstock Blue-light glasses are said to reduce eye strain when using computers, improve your sleep and protect your eye health. You can buy them yourself or your ...2 hours ago
- Labour’s Climate Manifesto – Commendable Condiments But Missing The ‘main Meal’Greenpeace Aotearoa says the Labour Party’s Climate Manifesto, launched today, reads like a shopping list of condiments that has missed off the main meal: action on New Zealand’s biggest climate polluter, intensive dairy. "There are many ...2 hours ago
- Labour’s Climate Announcement Is Economically And Scientifically IlliterateResponding to the release of Labour’s Climate Manifesto, Taxpayers’ Union Deputy Campaigns Manager, Connor Molloy, said: "Yet again, we are seeing a swathe of policies that fail to recognise the genius and effectiveness of our existing Emissions ...2 hours ago
- National-Act-NZ First government would be ‘rightwing circus’, says HipkinsAt his press conference to launch Labour’s climate manifesto in New Plymouth today, Chris Hipkins was quick to offer his thoughts on Christopher Luxon finally admitting National would work with New Zealand First to form the next government if it needed to. “I want to for once in my life ...2 hours ago
- Labour and National bicker over climate policy as Hipkins releases manifestoChris Hipkins has released Labour’s “climate manifesto”, which brings together a range of existing policies plus adds a handful of new ones. These include a plan for a “minister for just transitions” to oversee New Zealand’s transition to a low-emissions economy, and to a plan to invest an additional $300 ...2 hours ago
- New to streaming: What to watch on Netflix NZ, Neon and more this weekWhat are you going to be watching this week? We round up everything coming to streaming services this week, including Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, Apple TV+, ThreeNow, Neon and TVNZ+. The biggies Neighbours: The Return (on Prime Video from September 25) Neighbours is back, baby. The long-running Australian soap that ended ...3 hours ago
- Luxon's call on NZ First could come back to bite him
Christopher Luxon has given the voters what they wanted – transparency on who National will work with. But, in doing so, some of his supporters worry he may have given New Zealand First a boost. Comment: National Party supporters at a meet and greet in Matamata with Christopher Luxon were ...3 hours ago - Te Whatu Ora Must Stand By Employees’ Rights To Freedom Of Thought And Speech25 September 2023 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Te Whatu Ora must stand by employees’ rights to freedom of thought and speech The Free Speech Union insists that Te Whatu Ora stand by their employees’ rights of freedom of thought and speech ...3 hours ago
- Te Whatu Ora Must Stand By Employees’ Rights To Freedom Of Thought And Speech...3 hours ago
- NZ election 2023: Bryce Edwards: The most hollow campaign in living memoryThe 2023 general election campaign must be the most hollow in living memory. There really isn’t much that is positive or attractive about the electoral options on offer. This is an election without inspiration. There is a definite gloominess among the public right now — with a perception that not ...3 hours ago
- Severe Weather Demands Voters' AttentionMore severe weather and floods in regions demand voters’ attention. Floods in Queenstown and Southland, wildfires in South Canterbury, and further risk of flood in Gisborne, are a warning that the biggest issue in this election has to be climate ...4 hours ago
- Labor and Albanese recover in Newspoll as Dutton falls, but the Voice’s slump continuesSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne A national Newspoll, conducted September 18–22 from a sample of 1,239, gave Labor a 54–46 lead, a one-point gain for Labor since ...4 hours ago
- Peters defends decision on 2017 coalition and repeats Bill English claimsWinston Peters has repeated his claim that Bill English said he was about to be rolled as National leader during negotiations after the 2017 election. According to the New Zealand First leader, English said during post-election negotiations that he was about to lose his position as leader of National. It’s ...4 hours ago
- Luxon left looking ‘slow and expedient’ after Peters rule-in announcementWe’ve been waiting weeks months for a captain’s call from Christopher Luxon on whether or not he’d work with Winston Peters – and that finally came today. As I detailed this morning, Luxon, in a video shared to social media, finally admitted he would work with Peters if necessary after ...5 hours ago
- Are fish oil supplements as healthy as we think? And is eating fish better?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Evangeline Mantzioris, Program Director of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Accredited Practising Dietitian, University of South Australia Fish oil, which contains omega-3 fatty acids, is promoted for a number of health benefits – from boosting our heart health, protecting our brain from dementia, ...5 hours ago
- What lies behind Luxon’s change of heart on NZ First?The 11th-hour decision to rule in Winston Peters if necessary leaves the National leader looking slow and expedient. When Chris Hipkins declared last week that National’s polling was beyond its peak, it seemed born more of hope than data. It is hard to avoid concluding, however, that Christopher Luxon has ...6 hours ago
- Watch live: Election debate – Parties questioned on policies affecting PasifikaRNZ Pacific has partnered with Pacific Media Network to question major parties on how their policies will affect Pacific peoples. ...6 hours ago
- EPA Annual Charges On Forestry Participants Unlawful?...6 hours ago
- A teenager’s OCD journeyA 17-year-old shares their reality living with the ‘doubting disease’. A version of this essay was first published on Emily Writes’ Substack. Every day I return to my house, gently closing the door behind me. Each time I unpack my bag, wash my lunch box and water bottle, place my ...6 hours ago
- The ‘community of care’ improving the wellbeing of Sāmoan teachersAn ambitious initiative in Sāmoan early childhood centres is improving the health and wellbeing of children, families and teachers across Auckland – with aspirations to extend nationwide. The Seugagogo Aoga Amata Pre-School had humble beginnings. Situated close to the town centre of Auckland’s Ōtāhuhu and founded as a playgroup ...6 hours ago
- National would work with NZ FirstWelcome to The Spinoff’s election live updates for Monday, September 25. I’m Stewart Sowman-Lund: on deck today from the mighty Manawatū. Get in touch with me on [email protected] Find out more about the political parties at Policy.nz The agenda Christopher Luxon has confirmed he would work with Winston ...7 hours ago
- Election 2023: National Party confirms it could work with NZ FirstChristopher Luxon says his preference is to work with ACT in government, but could work with New Zealand First too. ...7 hours ago
- Is it ethical non-Indigenous people get to decide on the Voice? Is it OK for one group to have right...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Paul Formosa, Professor and Head of the Department of Philosophy, and Co-Director of the Macquire University Ethics & Agency Research Centre, Macquarie University Australians will soon be asked to vote on whether we should “alter the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples ...8 hours ago
- America’s leaders are older than they’ve ever been. Why didn’t the founding fathers foresee th...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jared Mondschein, Director of Research, US Studies Centre, University of Sydney The US Congress has had no shortage of viral moments in recent months. Senator Dianne Feinstein seemingly became confused over how to vote. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell experienced two extended ...8 hours ago
- We need urban trees more than ever – here’s how to save them from extreme heatSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Renée M Prokopavicius, Postdoctoral Researcher in Plant Ecophysiology, Western Sydney University Torychemistry, Shutterstock Australians are bracing for a hot spring and summer. The Bureau of Meteorology has finally declared El Niño is underway, making warmer and drier conditions more likely for ...8 hours ago
- How to manage exam season: don’t forget to take regular breaks and breatheSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Paul Ginns, Associate Professor in Educational Psychology, University of Sydney Oleksandr P/Pexels Around Australia, Year 12 students are heading into the final stretch of study before exams start in early term 4. This is typically seen as a very intense ...8 hours ago
- ‘An insatiable and unrestrained desire for passionate love’: the holy slut-shaming of Mary of Eg...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Olympia Nelson, PhD Candidate in Modern Greek & Byzantine Studies specialising in Byzantine art and literature, University of Sydney Mary of Egypt, The Pantanassa Monastery, Mystras, Peloponnese, Greece Olympia Nelson, CC BY-ND Mary of Egypt, a fourth-century saint with a large ...8 hours ago
- How Māngere plans to become the cycling capital of the PacificA beloved community group is shifting transport habits in this Manukau suburb. As I biked down Coronation Road in Māngere, a driver beeped and yelled, “Get off the road and onto the footpath!” When I didn’t get out of their way, they yelled again, telling me it was for my ...8 hours ago
- It’s poll dayNewshub’s next poll will be revealed at 6pm tonight, teased by political editor Jenna Lynch as one that shows the face of the election is “changing in more ways than one”. Is that a reference to New Zealand First, especially given National’s decision to commit to working with them (if ...8 hours ago
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Sums up John Keys performance as NZ’s Pry Minister, “Hit and Run”. Our cartoonists and comedians are doing the best job of exposing the reality. NZ journalists have been turning a blind eye. How will the MSM treat this story?
Don’t think its a good idea for English to give Key a knighthood until this is sorted. Could end up having to take it off him
Oh look a conspiracy.
A real one.
Time to unravel it.
But, and here I disagree with you mickysavage, I don’t we can do the inquire in New Zealand, I think this is somthing we hand over to someone/somewhere else to look into.
Preferably someone/someplace who has nothing to gain by telling the truth.
International Court of Justice?
I think the only option.
It’s one of the times when we are so small. it counts against us. So yeah might be best place to get a clear cut result.
Is this why the Police came down so hard on Nicky and his computers etc.
Were they on a bigger hunt than just the DP stuff.
Shit if they are complicit in the continued coverup then that is huge.
Indeed. Good point.
It would appear we have a network of self protecting bully boys/ girls at senior levels in this country , all quite happy to act in unison and in collusion with each other to protect … what exactly…
The political/economic staus quo.
Certainly not the established common laws of this country when inconvenient.
Just ask Mr Kim Dotcom about illegal spying , warrants, raids and state freezing of his assets and retrospective law changes designed to cover these bully boys/girls rear ends when they realized they screwed up.
I could not believe how much was thrown against Jon Stephenson.
Lots and lots of the state’s resources were basically thrown at him to hopefully make him fold. I am really pleased that he did not. And this book will probably result in more state resources thrown against him but I think that all of us need to rally behind him and Nicky and make sure they can do their job which is to let us all know what is happening.
Best case scenario for the nzdf is that the yanks did the killing and then pressured the gov and df to tow the line , it would be very hard to stand up to them.
IIRC, there were allegations (from individual members of the SAS) at the time that US troops were deliberately provoking villages into exchanges of fire, and following up with overwhelming lethal force.
Rolling Stone published The Kill Team in March 2011.
Yep it is a case of pass the blame.
The burning question is who was in charge of the mission.
About now and until the dust settles the Nats will be polling their little arses off. None of their MP’s have the brains or courage to think independently nor will they want this looked at, much less objectively.
I see the Deputy PM has made a very early call and is now siding firmly with the military possibly confident information from them and her stone walling government is impenetrable. She’s too dumb to pull a Key on this. He would have been in denial mode, attacking the man and yet being vaguely non committal for as long as it takes to get the polling numbers in and the results of focus grouping to formulate a survivable response and way forward.
Bennett on the other hand just panicked.
https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/they-have-great-integrity-bennett-backs-defence-force-after-claims-civilian-deaths-in-sas-operation
I recall Key being criticised for not being at a military funeral because he was watching the over indulged one, Mad Max, play a baseball game.
Was he already distancing himself from the Army because you know what he’s like when somebody pisses on his parade, they are treated like lepers.
What I can’t recall is whose funeral it was or when, can anyone else do so.
August 2012 Key missed a memorial service for Rory Malone and Pralli Durrer for the baseball game.
From memory a serving soldier came out strongly against Key, who was killed a few weeks later serving over there.
I want an independent inquiry.
Am troubled by what I’ve read so far. So anti deaths of innocents and was so proud of our SAS helping to rebuild and assist those who have suffered, compared with other military who seem infested with blood lust.
Makes me question the authorities who gave the orders, who gave the commands. There is video footage of it tucked away somewhere, time the public was able to view it, and any audio as well.
Nothing to hide, nothing to fear, isn’t that correct Mr English? Then why not have an independent inquiry?
Cinny you should note that the NZSAS deployments were essentially separate from the NZ Provincial Reconstruction Teams (NZPRT). NZSAS had different tasks from the NZPRT. We don’t really know all of what NZSAS did in Afghanistan because the NZ Government & NZDF don’t discuss operational matters with respect to NZSAS deployment except in very general terms. We can probably assume they were engaged in more “active” operations than reconstruction work of the NZPRT. We know for example that they “mentored” and trained the Afghan Crisis Response Unit (CRU).
http://www.army.mil.nz/about-us/what-we-do/deployments/previous-deployments/afghanistan/default.htm
Thank you for the link GregJ and for explaining to me about the different deployments, much appreciated.
“Second, the fact we as a people have been systemically lied to over what our soldiers do in our name is intolerable. ”
One of my earliest experiences with not trusting the government and the media occurred back in 1982 when I learned that NZ had troops in the Falklands. This was not common knowledge and I only knew via a close friend whose best mate was sent there to lead the SAS. A few years after the end of that conflict I saw a tiny piece in the NZ Herald admitting that we had troops there as “observers”. This was also false as they were involved in active combat.
We will always be denied the truth in the name of “national security”.
Truth is the first casualty of government.
Memo to National Party followers: that doesn’t mean that embracing dishonesty is a virtue.
Yep lets use the resources of the state to feed kids and make sure that families have homes. Sending soldiers overseas to kill kids and families is so wrong …
Yeah , agreed its totally wrong , – but your talking about Mr ‘ GET SOME GUTS ‘ Uncle Sam sycophant , here… him and his veiled Joseph Frank version of Zionism and the little globalists New World Order Good Times Big Band ….
You get the drift… they don’t give a damn how many they slaughter ,… just how fat the bank balance is and how much power they can exert over the population. Yet most of them are just pallid fickle nerds who would scream the loudest if it was their own blood they saw flowing…
Gutless tapeworms .