Hypocrisy in the House: GCSB Bill

Written By: - Date published: 10:11 am, August 7th, 2013 - 46 comments
Categories: accountability, capitalism, david cunliffe, democracy under attack, john banks, john key, labour, national, peter dunne, slippery, Spying, telecommunications, united future, winston peters - Tags:

Last night the filibster of the Government Communications Security Bureau and Related Legislation Amendment Bill – Committee Stage – Part 1, delayed the passing of the Third reading until at least 20 August.  Last night’s speeches put the hypocrisy of John Key and Peter Dunne under the spotlight.

Phil Goff delivered a powerful speech that began by quoting Dunne’s lack of trustworthiness, when 3  weeks ago on RNZ, Dunne said:

Under no circumstances should the GCSB be able to spy on New Zealanders.

According to Goff Dunne said the GCSB should  not be able to spy on new Zealanders even with a warrant.  When asked why he now has totally contradicted that position in supporting the Bill, he says, as paraphrased by Goff,

“Willing buyer, willing seller”.

And Dunne’s hypocrisy is further exposed by his response to protesters who have been protesting outside his home over the last few days.

Mr Dunne, who was not home at the time of the protest, said the “hardcore group” were at his house with a loudhailer on Sunday, past 11pm on Monday night, and also yesterday morning at 7am.

He was concerned his wife and neighbours were being intimidated by the group, whom he said were “irresponsible scum”.

“They are the lowest form of life imaginable. If they think they are going to persuade anyone to their point of view with these tactics, they’re frankly deluded.”

However, as one of the protesters aptly argues:

Protester Ariana Paretutanganui-Tamati said they were at Mr Dunne’s home “to give him a taste of what it feels like to have your privacy intruded on”.

In his speech, Goff goes on to outline how the Bill will pass because of support of 2 disgraced members of parliament: Dunne and Banks.   Goff refers to the NZ Law society that argues against the extension of the security agencies’ power to spy on NZers, with a particularly strong criticism of the government’s failure to give any substantial reasons for this extension.

Goff argued for a full independent inquiry. He makes the further point that the Bill shouldn’t be passed under urgency, but, if it is, at least give it a sunset clause.  If the the GCSB and related Bills broaden powers to spy on NZers at least justify it.

Cunliffe began his speech by saying that Labour will set up a full and independent review, then,

repeal the Bill in its current form and replace it with new provisions that get the balance right between privacy, constitutionality and the rule of law.

Cunliffe highlighted the way Key is attempting to divert attention from his dodgy GCSB Bill.  Cunliffe said that Friday’s dump of emails related to the Dunne-Vance surveillance, occurred shortly after government was notified (around midday) of the Fonterra contamination issue.

Cunliffe repeats the line:

“The response to illegal speeding is not to raise the speed limit”

He argues that New Zealand needs to have capabilities to defend self against foreign cyber attacks. However, such capabilities should not be employed against New Zealanders except in the most unusual and exceptional circumstances.  This should be done with a judge’s warrant, based on an independent and “substantially evident threshold of proof”. The warrant process needs to be exceptional and thorough and should never become routine.

 … the warrant process must protect our citizens from arbitrary mass surveillance whether performed directly by the NZ GCSB or indirectly by the access of information sourced from other partner countries.

Winston Peters speech further highlights the hypocrisy of John Key and his two hangers on, John Banks and Peter Dunne.

Peters began by pointing out how John Key spoke about extremely worrying threats of terrorism, but was not prepared to turn up to speak on this Bill that is in his name.

Peters stated that the Bill has not included the safeguards NZ First wanted for them to support the Bill. He then moved to talking about a bigger picture in which Key has said things that are “untrue”.

There was no controversy over NZ security under previous governments, both National and Labour led. It wasn’t until John Key came along that it became a big issue.  Peters referred back to the whole Dotcom saga. Key has not said explicitly that he was in no way involved in the KDC affair, and this is on top of the related John Banks’ memory lapses.

Peters then repeated a long quote from a 2007 speech, without revealing who said it, until the end.  but it wasn’t hard to guess who made such a speech, in defense of democracy:

Ladies and Gentlemen, I believe you get the democracy you are prepared to stand up for. Here in New Zealand we often take our democratic freedoms for granted. We think they will always be there. We have a Bill of Rights which is supposed to protect our right to freedom of expression. What on Earth could go wrong?

I have a different view. I believe what Thomas Jefferson said, that the price of freedom is eternal vigilance.

I won’t include the full quote as it can be found here, and just shows how John Key has few consistent principles.  Peters explained it as the Nats selling off their ideals as well as their assets.

Peters also highlights a further bit of Dunne hypocrisy with this Dunne quote from 11 June:

I think we start down a very slippery slope. And I for one, having had a long interest in protecting personal privacy am not prepared to take that step.

John Key is a lost cause. But what will it take to Peter Dunne shed his hypocrisy and develop a few principles in support of democracy, freedom of expression and rights to privacy?

Kill the Bill!

46 comments on “Hypocrisy in the House: GCSB Bill ”

  1. Craig Glen viper 1

    What does Key have over Dunn it must be pretty serious!

    • AmaKiwi 1.1

      + 1

    • blue leopard 1.2

      @ Craig Glen Viper

      Its funny because everyone has been speculating over the question you raise, however to me, it is obvious that Dunne’s career was being sabotaged when he was speaking against this bill.

      It may seem like a career is less important than what is going on, however the thing people don’t seem to ‘get’ is that work is livelihood and attacking someone’s livelihood is attacking their life.

      This is also the case with governments not ensuring 100% employment and placing other things as more important. And I’m guessing this is the case with Dunne’s mealy mouthed behaviour.

      This is what I believe Key has over Dunne (and probably what Key’s master’s have over him although it appears he is too lacking in conscience to even consider speaking out on a matter on principle.)

      • muzza 1.2.1

        Hi BL,

        Agree with what you say about the livelihood, except that for Dunne, he has gold plated state funded pension, worth [loads per year], along with all the perks, until the day he leaves this world. So in this instance, I don’t see this is a factor.

        It should be very clear by now, that there are only a few options, could be a bit of a combo.

        1: NZ is having a gun put to its head!

        2: MP’s, most of them are being blackmailed, over some hidious acts!

        3: MP’s are agents, acting willingly in their roles against this country!

        Believe nothing Goff says, his actions gave him away, decades back!

        • blue leopard 1.2.1.1

          @ Muzza
          Ah re gold plated pension – good point.

          I guess, then, if it was anywhere along the lines I was thinking it would have to be the loss of status that is Dunne’s point of weakness for manipulation.

          Re your other points I definitely feel there is a proverbial gun being pointed at those in NZ government from outside this country and perhaps inside too (big money interests).

          Probably only has to be a toy gun with those currently in power though.

          • muzza 1.2.1.1.1

            There has been so much speculation over many decades, people used to call conspiracy theories, and such like, when references were made against certain so called NZ’ers, be they political, business or sometimes both, and who they were actually working for.

            I guess the point is, it makes no difference who they are working for, what is important to understand, is that they are actively working against this country, and the people in it, almost 100% of them.

            What I also don’t quite have squared up in my own mind, is the what do these people believe they can do to escape what they have done, because there is no such thing as getting away with it, it will land at your door step, sooner or later!

            There has to be something which is physically preventing these people from speaking out, from acting out, from voting against such destructive legislation, from supporting such destructive actions, from acting in financially and morally corrupt fashion, it must be something so hideous which is being held over them.

            I lean towards the blackmail/agent options, because the gun to head, unless we are to believe that NZ is going to be destroyed by an act of war, ok, we’re dead so what, or destroyed financially, which is happening anyway, and besides we could as a sovereign nation, after much pain, like Iceland, remediate that situation for the better.

            Unless its gun to head of the MP’s, their families/friends/pets kind of thing, but still, other than some protraction in the timeline, on current track, NZ is history, which means so are you (MP etc), family/friends/pets, eventually!

            Blackmail is a traditional favorite, which would make the coercion to be hideous acts, the worst you could imagine, or why would you sell out a entire country, for anything less than that, because again, on current track, NZ is history, which means so are you (MP etc), family/friends/pets, eventually!

            You have to feel very secure in what you’re doing to act in the way these people are, and by that I mean almost all of them!

            It just does not make any sense, to me!

            • blue leopard 1.2.1.1.1.1

              @ Muzza

              My thoughts:

              What I also don’t quite have squared up in my own mind, is the what do these people believe they can do to escape what they have done, because there is no such thing as getting away with it, it will land at your door step, sooner or later!

              I think rather a lot of people have been ‘getting away with it’, for rather a long time. Just look at the fraud that has been committed across the board re the GFC. Have there been vast swathes of convictions…anyone?

              “There has to be something which is physically preventing these people from speaking out, from acting out, from voting against such destructive legislation, from supporting such destructive actions, from acting in financially and morally corrupt fashion, it must be something so hideous which is being held over them.

              Fear is a powerful agent. People who are the most motivated to accumulate money and status are probably more prone to being pushed by fear than the ordinary person. They have a lot more to lose for a start. And perhaps the whole drive to accumulate vastly more than is really necessary to live on, is based on strong level of insecurity and fear from the outset. How many ‘success’ stories have you heard of the very very wealthy that have started from a place of dire poverty? I’ve heard of quite a lot of these.

              The manipulation/hypnotism techniques that are evident are also powerful. These techniques use good qualities that people require to stay at least half-sane. These good qualities are taken and used against people.

              E.g. Trust. We trust a lot of things. We trust that when driving down the road a car isn’t going to drive into us. We trust that people are basically good. We have to trust. If we didn’t we’d go stark raving bonkers. Because of this trust, where a bad element exists, if someone basically hasn’t got good motivation, it takes a very long time for an individual to accept this is the case; let alone large groups of people. To shift from trusting to questioning to saying “actually, no this isn’t good enough” therefore, is taking a long time.

              It is only when large numbers of people make this shift will there be changes to this corrupt system we have.

        • Rhinocrates 1.2.1.2

          Yes, knowing what Goff has done in the past, I really can’t think of him as a sincere champion of free speech and privacy. Quite the contrary in fact!

          I find his current sanctimony nauseating.

    • Rhinocrates 1.3

      +2 It’s really odd to see Dunne bawling, rolling around and beating his fists against the carpet about the breaches of his own privacy while pledging his support for this totalitarian bill.

      What’s Key got? A control on his supply of hair gel? Photos of him with a goat doing something with some raspberry jam and an eggbeater?

      I rather wonder – in a very abstract sense, because thinking too closely leads to madness – just what must be running through Dunne’s imitation of a mind.

      Is he feeling some simulacrum of shame, outrage, pain… fear?

      Then again, who cares…

      • lprent 1.3.1

        You don’t have to convince Dunne. Word is that all you have to do is to convince the parasite on top….

        I’m not looking forward to the day that it’s host is of no further use and it has to find a new one.

        But it doesn’t have to look further than the bright pate that is Pete George. Looks like the *right* candidate 😈

        • Colonial Viper 1.3.1.1

          “I’m not looking forward to the day that it’s host is of no further use and it has to find a new one.”

          Gosh darn it, is that an actual Babylon 5 reference???

          • lprent 1.3.1.1.1

            The regent or Mollari? Nope.

            Reference is to a short story by Sturgeon? about an immortal parasite and was triggered by a memory of a photoshopped image we have around here somewhere of Dunne with a american possum on his head.

            That hair is pretty damn spectacular, and deserves a life of its own 🙂

  2. BLiP 2

    Fine words, and what a neat expression to define John Key’s “management” of this entire issue, from Warner Bros to Ian Fletcher, from Kim Dotcom from Jon Stephenson, and back again . . .

    spies, lies and alibis

    . . . he really is the master of the House at the moment. Anyone catch Winstone’s “Point of Order” yesterday at the end of Question 6? Going by some of his asides in the video above, a sign of things to come, methinks.

  3. vto 3

    some 2c says that the protestors peering over Dunne’s fence at home is spot on.

    Feel it Dunne, feel it.

  4. wyndham 4

    CGv.

    I think you’re right. ‘Willing buyer. Willing seller’. Key knows what was in the Dunne / Vance emails ?

    Dunne is no better than the people he calls ‘irresponsible scum’. What gives him the right to call anyone scum ?

  5. yeshe 5

    Winston’s comments about Chris Finlayson are fascinating — seems to promise there are revelations yet to come about his activities re KDC. Winston at his best.

    • Murray Olsen 5.1

      Winston always reminds me of those Japanese steak knife advertisements – but wait, there’s more!! The more we wait for is hardly ever what we might have hoped for, but maybe this time will be different.

  6. blue leopard 7

    I wish to publicly thank the people protesting outside Mr Dunne’s house.

    What a despicable thing for Mr Dunne to say about them. They are making efforts to protect all New Zealanders’ democratic rights; these are extremely important principles. He is in a position to ensure democratic principles are upheld and he is not doing so, despite getting a good income from New Zealanders to do so. This makes him irresponsible and scum; not those who are protesting this anti-democratic turn NZ politicians have taken.

    To the protesters, thank you, thank you, thank you.

  7. yeshe 8

    Key is sucking so much air in his ‘tell’ in the House today .. never heard so much of it from him before …

    And great post Blue Leopard.

    • blue leopard 8.1

      Thanks Yeshe,

      Key’s hissing is such a good reminder to people what a ‘snake’ he is; I really am surprised he hasn’t been told to cut it out. Perhaps has and he can’t – perhaps, for him, it is something like a micro-facial expression over which he has no control.

      • yeshe 8.1.1

        Yes, like that .. I don’t think he can control it which is quite fun !!

        Also Karol .. make sure you see Winston Peters from the House today as questions finished .. he lays into Key for accessing his personal phone records in the Bradley Ambrose fiasco .. about 2.52 it begins I think … worth posting maybe .. also Winston seemed obsessed by the time on his watch ?

        • Veutoviper 8.1.1.1

          Key’s hissing – and slurring – was very noticable. And his discomfort att Peters’ questions to him.

          BUT Peters’ claims in the first speech of the General Debate are astonishing . BLiP has a comment up on Open Mike. Not yet on Stuff etc but presume Peters may be giving a press interview ….

          • karol 8.1.1.1.1

            Audrey Young has an article on it on the NZ Herald. Form her account it is looking like an unproved allegation at the moment, that Key/Eagleson were involved in accessing Peter’s phone record.

            Mr Peters told Parliament this afternoon that in the past 24 hours, he had learned that police briefing notes on the case contained references to seizing his telephone records.

            The same files also said that Mr Key’s chief of Staff, Wayne Eagleson, had been ”kept in the loop” during the investigation.

            “There is information in a police file that says police would have to take Winston Peters’ phone records to lay charges and make a case against Bradley Ambrose,” Mr Peters said.

            “My telephone records were going to be seized in an operation that was sparked by the prime minister’s office and monitored by the Prime Minister’s office.

            “This is not Zimbabwe. This is New Zealand.
            […]
            This was not a matter of national security – or even a matter of life and death.

            “It was about a petulant prime minister trying to save his face and his backside.

            “Today I am asking the Prime Minister and the police to come clean and produce all the documents relating to Winston Peters and the teacup tape investigation.”

            Peters’ press release on it here.

          • yeshe 8.1.1.1.2

            Yes, amazing claims .. still no footage up as yet though … must read BLip .. I watched it live and could scarcely believe it .. fun that John Bercow, Speaker of Westminster was there for it all sitting very close to David Carter !! Great day to expose how we are being governed right now.

            • Veutoviper 8.1.1.1.2.1

              Here is the video of Peters’ speech in the General Debate, now up.

              http://inthehouse.co.nz/node/20319

              But we have two threads running on this one here and one on Open Mike.

              Stuff also have an article up, and RNZ covered it on the 4pm news and I put links on OM.

              As no doubt this will be all over Checkpoint and the TV news, perhaps we could amalgamate the two threads?

              EDIT – here is the link to Peters’ questions to the PM in Question Time, where he tried to pin Key down on whether Key had ever asked for the phone records of any ‘private citizen’.
              http://inthehouse.co.nz/node/20311

  8. richard 9

    An aside (sort of)

    The odious Goff can be a good speaker. I can’t reconcile his rhetoric yesterday with his actions. Like Key, he unforgivably prefers not to look too deeply into what the military and spooks do –
    http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/84180/labour-and-govt-reject-inquiry-into-hager-claims

    • karol 9.1

      Yes. Goff is a problem – a great speaker, but too far to the right for my liking.

  9. newsense 10

    Bring back Goff-

    Goff/Cunliffe and then Shearer third where he doesn’t have to speak so much…Nothing like some relevant experience and a track record when going for a job. Though it’s very white middle aged blokey…

  10. http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1308/S00087/open-letter-to-independent-mp-peter-dunne-penny-bright.htm

    Wednesday, 7 August 2013, 9:11 am
    Press Release: Penny Bright
    7 August 2013

    ‘Open Letter’ to ‘Independent’ MP Peter Dunne:
    From Auckland Mayoral candidate Penny Bright:

    “Why are you continuing to support the GCSB Bill”?

    Dear Peter,

    You didn’t like your private correspondence being surveilled, so please be consistent and do not support this GCSB legislation, which will allow spying on New Zealanders, which is not currently the case.

    Are you aware of the following considered view of the New Zealand law Society?

    Tuesday, 6 August 2013, 3:48 pm
    Press Release: New Zealand Law Society
    MEDIA RELEASE – For immediate use, 6 August 2013

    GCSB Bill remains flawed despite proposed changes

    Proposed changes to the GCSB Bill represent minor improvements but do not address the fundamental flaws in the bill and the legislation should not proceed, the New Zealand Law Society says.

    http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1308/S00082/gcsb-bill-remains-flawed-despite-proposed-changes.htm

    Please do NOT be a hypocrite?

    Kind regards,

    Penny Bright
    ‘Anti-privatisation /anti-corruption’ campaigner

    2013 Auckland Mayoral candidate

    http://www.occupyaucklandvsaucklandcouncilappeal.org.nz/?p=229

  11. xtasy 12

    All speakers had merit, and even Goff, who is controversial of course, he showed again, he is a great speaker, at least in Parliament.

    Dunne can twist and turn, blame and run, he is the traitor, the willing seller of his soul, that makes him JUDAS, according to the bible, especially since he earlier claimed that he would never vote for the bill under the given conditions. The conditions were not changed to justify his change of mind, so what was the damned price then, MR Dunne? What did you get to sell yourself? That is what it boils down to, Peter, you sold your damned soul, and you have done so repeatedly.

    Shame on you, shame on you, how can you still sit in Parliament and how can you face your electorate?

    You deserve to not be there anymore, throw the bastard out, I call out to Ohariu voters!

  12. Jenny 13

    Hi Karol. What did David Shearer say?

    • karol 13.1

      Shearer said…um… ah… while looking down and trying to read his notes without stumbling. Not something I’d want to watch again. I tried to read the print version – it’s just as boring to read as it was to watch/listen to.

      Blah, blah, blah – Key is lying, is not on top of his portfolio, or is deliberately following a don’t ask, don’t tell kind of policy. blah, blah, blah – checks and balances… blah blah blah, need for a full independent review, within a month of law passing, sunset clause, ….. because, unfortunately we are not likely to be able to stop this Bill passing.

      blah blah blah… passing mention of Dunne’s incomprehensible support of the Bill….. conclusion… mostly about Labour’s SOP rather than demolishing the Bill as it stands or the hypocrisy behind it.

      Shearer’s concluding remarks:

      Supplementary Order Paper 305 does what we believe is the right thing to do. It starts by providing for a proper inquiry into our intelligence agencies—not just the GCSB but right across the board. It brings to the fore something that we have not had an independent inquiry on since 1976. That was the last time we had any independent inquiry into our intelligence agencies. Many, many people are saying to me that this is exactly what we need to do. From there we move to the legislative change that is necessary to set up a structure that would have the confidence of New Zealanders, because right now this bill certainly—

  13. tracey 14

    Peters quoting dame anne quoting key…

  14. richard 15

    It looks like that after their initial bluster, labour have given up on this.

    I/S has listed who has put up the latest SOPs – all from Russel Norman (and one from Brendan Horan).

    As he comments: “Again, Labour really is leaving it to the Greens to lead on this. I guess for all Grant Robertson’s rhetorical fury, they don’t really care about our privacy.”

    http://norightturn.blogspot.co.nz/2013/08/the-spy-bill-more-amendments.html

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    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • The ‘Humpty Dumpty’ end result of dismantling our environmental protections
    Policymakers rarely wish to make plain or visible their desire to dismantle environmental policy, least of all to the young. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: Here’s the top five news items of note in climate news for Aotearoa-NZ this week, and a discussion above between Bernard Hickey and The Kākā’s climate correspondent ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Nicola's Salad Days.
    I like to keep an eye on what’s happening in places like the UK, the US, and over the ditch with our good mates the Aussies. Let’s call them AUKUS, for want of a better collective term. More on that in a bit.It used to be, not long ago, that ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 day ago
  • Study sees climate change baking in 19% lower global income by 2050
    TL;DR: The global economy will be one fifth smaller than it would have otherwise been in 2050 as a result of climate damage, according to a new study by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) and published in the journal Nature. (See more detail and analysis below, and ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Weekly Roundup 19-April-2024
    It’s Friday again. Here’s some of the things that caught our attention this week. This Week on Greater Auckland On Tuesday Matt covered at the government looking into a long tunnel for Wellington. On Wednesday we ran a post from Oscar Simms on some lessons from Texas. AT’s ...
    1 day ago
  • Jack Vowles: Stop the panic – we’ve been here before
    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’.  The data is from February this ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    1 day ago
  • Clearing up confusion (or trying to)
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters is understood to be planning a major speech within the next fortnight to clear up the confusion over whether or not New Zealand might join the AUKUS submarine project. So far, there have been conflicting signals from the Government. RNZ reported the Prime Minister yesterday in ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    1 day ago
  • How to Retrieve Deleted Call Log iPhone Without Computer
    How to Retrieve Deleted Call Log on iPhone Without a Computer: A StepbyStep Guide Losing your iPhone call history can be frustrating, especially when you need to find a specific number or recall an important conversation. But before you panic, know that there are ways to retrieve deleted call logs on your iPhone, even without a computer. This guide will explore various methods, ranging from simple checks to utilizing iCloud backups and thirdparty applications. So, lets dive in and recover those lost calls! 1. Check Recently Deleted Folder: Apple understands that accidental deletions happen. Thats why they introduced the Recently Deleted folder for various apps, including the Phone app. This folder acts as a safety net, storing deleted call logs for up to 30 days before permanently erasing them. Heres how to check it: Open the Phone app on your iPhone. Tap on the Recents tab at the bottom. Scroll to the top and tap on Edit. Select Show Recently Deleted. Browse the list to find the call logs you want to recover. Tap on the desired call log and choose Recover to restore it to your call history. 2. Restore from iCloud Backup: If you regularly back up your iPhone to iCloud, you might be able to retrieve your deleted call log from a previous backup. However, keep in mind that this process will restore your entire phone to the state it was in at the time of the backup, potentially erasing any data added since then. Heres how to restore from an iCloud backup: Go to Settings > General > Reset. Choose Erase All Content and Settings. Follow the onscreen instructions. Your iPhone will restart and show the initial setup screen. Choose Restore from iCloud Backup during the setup process. Select the relevant backup that contains your deleted call log. Wait for the restoration process to complete. 3. Explore ThirdParty Apps (with Caution): ...
    1 day ago
  • How to Factory Reset iPhone without Computer: A Comprehensive Guide to Restoring your Device
    Life throws curveballs, and sometimes, those curveballs necessitate wiping your iPhone clean and starting anew. Whether you’re facing persistent software glitches, preparing to sell your device, or simply wanting a fresh start, knowing how to factory reset iPhone without a computer is a valuable skill. While using a computer with ...
    2 days ago
  • How to Call Someone on a Computer: A Guide to Voice and Video Communication in the Digital Age
    Gone are the days when communication was limited to landline phones and physical proximity. Today, computers have become powerful tools for connecting with people across the globe through voice and video calls. But with a plethora of applications and methods available, how to call someone on a computer might seem ...
    2 days ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #16 2024
    Open access notables Glacial isostatic adjustment reduces past and future Arctic subsea permafrost, Creel et al., Nature Communications: Sea-level rise submerges terrestrial permafrost in the Arctic, turning it into subsea permafrost. Subsea permafrost underlies ~ 1.8 million km2 of Arctic continental shelf, with thicknesses in places exceeding 700 m. Sea-level variations over glacial-interglacial cycles control ...
    2 days ago
  • Where on a Computer is the Operating System Generally Stored? Delving into the Digital Home of your ...
    The operating system (OS) is the heart and soul of a computer, orchestrating every action and interaction between hardware and software. But have you ever wondered where on a computer is the operating system generally stored? The answer lies in the intricate dance between hardware and software components, particularly within ...
    2 days ago
  • How Many Watts Does a Laptop Use? Understanding Power Consumption and Efficiency
    Laptops have become essential tools for work, entertainment, and communication, offering portability and functionality. However, with rising energy costs and growing environmental concerns, understanding a laptop’s power consumption is more important than ever. So, how many watts does a laptop use? The answer, unfortunately, isn’t straightforward. It depends on several ...
    2 days ago
  • How to Screen Record on a Dell Laptop A Guide to Capturing Your Screen with Ease
    Screen recording has become an essential tool for various purposes, such as creating tutorials, capturing gameplay footage, recording online meetings, or sharing information with others. Fortunately, Dell laptops offer several built-in and external options for screen recording, catering to different needs and preferences. This guide will explore various methods on ...
    2 days ago
  • How Much Does it Cost to Fix a Laptop Screen? Navigating Repair Options and Costs
    A cracked or damaged laptop screen can be a frustrating experience, impacting productivity and enjoyment. Fortunately, laptop screen repair is a common service offered by various repair shops and technicians. However, the cost of fixing a laptop screen can vary significantly depending on several factors. This article delves into the ...
    2 days ago
  • How Long Do Gaming Laptops Last? Demystifying Lifespan and Maximizing Longevity
    Gaming laptops represent a significant investment for passionate gamers, offering portability and powerful performance for immersive gaming experiences. However, a common concern among potential buyers is their lifespan. Unlike desktop PCs, which allow for easier component upgrades, gaming laptops have inherent limitations due to their compact and integrated design. This ...
    2 days ago
  • Climate Change: Turning the tide
    The annual inventory report of New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions has been released, showing that gross emissions have dropped for the third year in a row, to 78.4 million tons: All-told gross emissions have decreased by over 6 million tons since the Zero Carbon Act was passed in 2019. ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 days ago
  • How to Unlock Your Computer A Comprehensive Guide to Regaining Access
    Experiencing a locked computer can be frustrating, especially when you need access to your files and applications urgently. The methods to unlock your computer will vary depending on the specific situation and the type of lock you encounter. This guide will explore various scenarios and provide step-by-step instructions on how ...
    2 days ago
  • Faxing from Your Computer A Modern Guide to Sending Documents Digitally
    While the world has largely transitioned to digital communication, faxing still holds relevance in certain industries and situations. Fortunately, gone are the days of bulky fax machines and dedicated phone lines. Today, you can easily send and receive faxes directly from your computer, offering a convenient and efficient way to ...
    2 days ago
  • Protecting Your Home Computer A Guide to Cyber Awareness
    In our increasingly digital world, home computers have become essential tools for work, communication, entertainment, and more. However, this increased reliance on technology also exposes us to various cyber threats. Understanding these threats and taking proactive steps to protect your home computer is crucial for safeguarding your personal information, finances, ...
    2 days ago
  • Server-Based Computing Powering the Modern Digital Landscape
    In the ever-evolving world of technology, server-based computing has emerged as a cornerstone of modern digital infrastructure. This article delves into the concept of server-based computing, exploring its various forms, benefits, challenges, and its impact on the way we work and interact with technology. Understanding Server-Based Computing: At its core, ...
    2 days ago
  • Vroom vroom go the big red trucks
    The absolute brass neck of this guy.We want more medical doctors, not more spin doctors, Luxon was saying a couple of weeks ago, and now we’re told the guy has seven salaried adults on TikTok duty. Sorry, doing social media. The absolute brass neck of it. The irony that the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • Jones finds $410,000 to help the government muscle in on a spat project
    Buzz from the Beehive Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones relishes spatting and eagerly takes issue with environmentalists who criticise his enthusiasm for resource development. He relishes helping the fishing industry too. And so today, while the media are making much of the latest culling in the public service to ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    2 days ago
  • Again, hate crimes are not necessarily terrorism.
    Having written, taught and worked for the US government on issues involving unconventional warfare and terrorism for 30-odd years, two things irritate me the most when the subject is discussed in public. The first is the Johnny-come-lately academics-turned-media commentators who … Continue reading ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    2 days ago
  • Despair – construction consenting edition
    Eric Crampton writes – Kainga Ora is the government’s house building agency. It’s been building a lot of social housing. Kainga Ora has its own (but independent) consenting authority, Consentium. It’s a neat idea. Rather than have to deal with building consents across each different territorial authority, Kainga Ora ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • Coalition promises – will the Govt keep the commitment to keep Kiwis equal before the law?
    Muriel Newman writes – The Coalition Government says it is moving with speed to deliver campaign promises and reverse the damage done by Labour. One of their key commitments is to “defend the principle that New Zealanders are equal before the law.” To achieve this, they have pledged they “will not advance ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • An impermanent public service is a guarantee of very little else but failure
    Chris Trotter writes –  The absence of anything resembling a fightback from the public servants currently losing their jobs is interesting. State-sector workers’ collective fatalism in the face of Coalition cutbacks indicates a surprisingly broad acceptance of impermanence in the workplace. Fifty years ago, lay-offs in the thousands ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • What happens after the war – Mariupol
    Mariupol, on the Azov Sea coast, was one of the first cities to suffer almost complete destruction after the start of the Ukraine War started in late February 2022. We remember the scenes of absolute destruction of the houses and city structures. The deaths of innocent civilians – many of ...
    2 days ago
  • Babies and benefits – no good news
    Lindsay Mitchell writes – Ten years ago, I wrote the following in a Listener column: Every year around one in five new-born babies will be reliant on their caregivers benefit by Christmas. This pattern has persisted from at least 1993. For Maori the number jumps to over one in three.  ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • Should the RBNZ be looking through climate inflation?
    Climate change is expected to generate more and more extreme events, delivering a sort of structural shock to inflation that central banks will have to react to as if they were short-term cyclical issues. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMy pick of the six newsey things to know from Aotearoa’s ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours, as of 9:16 am on Thursday, April 18 are:Housing: Tauranga residents living in boats, vans RNZ Checkpoint Louise TernouthHousing: Waikato councillor says wastewater plant issues could hold up Sleepyhead building a massive company town Waikato Times Stephen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on the public sector carnage, and misogyny as terrorism
    It’s a simple deal. We pay taxes in order to finance the social services we want and need. The carnage now occurring across the public sector though, is breaking that contract. Over 3,000 jobs have been lost so far. Many are in crucial areas like Education where the impact of ...
    2 days ago
  • Meeting the Master Baiters
    Hi,A friend had their 40th over the weekend and decided to theme it after Curb Your Enthusiasm fashion icon Susie Greene. Captured in my tiny kitchen before I left the house, I ending up evoking a mix of old lesbian and Hillary Clinton — both unintentional.Me vs Hillary ClintonIf you’re ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    2 days ago
  • How extreme was the Earth's temperature in 2023
    This is a re-post from Andrew Dessler at the Climate Brink blog In 2023, the Earth reached temperature levels unprecedented in modern times. Given that, it’s reasonable to ask: What’s going on? There’s been lots of discussions by scientists about whether this is just the normal progression of global warming or if something ...
    2 days ago
  • Backbone, revisited
    The schools are on holiday and the sun is shining in the seaside village and all day long I have been seeing bunches of bikes; Mums, Dads, teens and toddlers chattering, laughing, happy, having a bloody great time together. Cheers, AT, for the bits of lane you’ve added lately around the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • Ministers are not above the law
    Today in our National-led authoritarian nightmare: Shane Jones thinks Ministers should be above the law: New Zealand First MP Shane Jones is accusing the Waitangi Tribunal of over-stepping its mandate by subpoenaing a minister for its urgent hearing on the Oranga Tamariki claim. The tribunal is looking into the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago
  • What’s the outfit you can hear going down the gurgler? Probably it’s David Parker’s Oceans Sec...
    Buzz from the Beehive Point  of Order first heard of the Oceans Secretariat in June 2021, when David Parker (remember him?) announced a multi-agency approach to protecting New Zealand’s marine ecosystems and fisheries. Parker (holding the Environment, and Oceans and Fisheries portfolios) broke the news at the annual Forest & ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago
  • Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Bryce Edwards writes  – Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • Matt Doocey doubles down on trans “healthcare”
    Citizen Science writes –  Last week saw two significant developments in the debate over the treatment of trans-identifying children and young people – the release in Britain of the final report of Dr Hilary Cass’s review into gender healthcare, and here in New Zealand, the news that the ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • A TikTok Prime Minister.
    One night while sleeping in my bed I had a beautiful dreamThat all the people of the world got together on the same wavelengthAnd began helping one anotherNow in this dream, universal love was the theme of the dayPeace and understanding and it happened this wayAfter such an eventful day ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • Texas Lessons
    This is a guest post by Oscar Simms who is a housing activist, volunteer for the Coalition for More Homes, and was the Labour Party candidate for Auckland Central at the last election. ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    3 days ago
  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links at 6:06 am
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours as of 6:06 am on Wednesday, April 17 are:Must read: Secrecy shrouds which projects might be fast-tracked RNZ Farah HancockScoop: Revealed: Luxon has seven staffers working on social media content - partly paid for by taxpayer Newshub ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Fighting poverty on the holiday highway
    Turning what Labour called the “holiday highway” into a four-lane expressway from Auckland to Whangarei could bring at least an economic benefit of nearly two billion a year for Northland each year. And it could help bring an end to poverty in one of New Zealand’s most deprived regions. The ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    3 days ago
  • Bernard's six-stack of substacks at 6:26 pm
    Tonight’s six-stack includes: launching his substack with a bunch of his previous documentaries, including this 1992 interview with Dame Whina Cooper. and here crew give climate activists plenty to do, including this call to submit against the Fast Track Approvals bill. writes brilliantly here on his substack ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • At a glance – Is the science settled?
    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 ...
    4 days ago
  • Apposite Quotations.
    How Long Is Long Enough? Gaza under Israeli bombardment, July 2014. This posting is exclusive to Bowalley Road. ...
    4 days ago
  • What’s a life worth now?
    You're in the mall when you hear it: some kind of popping sound in the distance, kids with fireworks, maybe. But then a moment of eerie stillness is followed by more of the fireworks sound and there’s also screaming and shrieking and now here come people running for their lives.Does ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago
  • Howling at the Moon
    Karl du Fresne writes –  There’s a crisis in the news media and the media are blaming it on everyone except themselves. Culpability is being deflected elsewhere – mainly to the hapless Minister of Communications, Melissa Lee, and the big social media platforms that are accused of hoovering ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Newshub is Dead.
    I don’t normally send out two newsletters in a day but I figured I’d say something about… the news. If two newsletters is a bit much then maybe just skip one, I don’t want to overload people. Alternatively if you’d be interested in sometimes receiving multiple, smaller updates from me, ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • Seymour is chuffed about cutting early-learning red tape – but we hear, too, that Jones has loose...
    Buzz from the Beehive David Seymour and Winston Peters today signalled that at least two ministers of the Crown might be in Wellington today. Seymour (as Associate Minister of Education) announced the removal of more red tape, this time to make it easier for new early learning services to be ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago
  • Bryce Edwards: Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. Our political system is suffering from the ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    4 days ago
  • Was Hawkesby entirely wrong?
    David Farrar  writes –  The Broadcasting Standards Authority ruled: Comments by radio host Kate Hawkesby suggesting Māori and Pacific patients were being prioritised for surgery due to their ethnicity were misleading and discriminatory, the Broadcasting Standards Authority has found. It is a fact such patients are prioritised. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • PRC shadow looms as the Solomons head for election
    PRC and its proxies in Solomons have been preparing for these elections for a long time. A lot of money, effort and intelligence have gone into ensuring an outcome that won’t compromise Beijing’s plans. Cleo Paskall writes – On April 17th the Solomon Islands, a country of ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Climate Change: Criminal ecocide
    We are in the middle of a climate crisis. Last year was (again) the hottest year on record. NOAA has just announced another global coral bleaching event. Floods are threatening UK food security. So naturally, Shane Jones wants to make it easier to mine coal: Resources Minister Shane Jones ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Is saving one minute of a politician's time worth nearly $1 billion?
    Is speeding up the trip to and from Wellington airport by 12 minutes worth spending up more than $10 billion? Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me in the last day to 8:26 am today are:The Lead: Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 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
    3 hours 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
    19 hours 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
    22 hours 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
    22 hours 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
    23 hours 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
    23 hours 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
    24 hours 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
    1 day 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
    2 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
    2 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
    2 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
    2 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
    2 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
    2 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
    2 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
    2 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 days ago
  • Patterson promoting NZ’s wool sector at International Congress
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