Is the $15,000 even true?

Written By: - Date published: 1:28 pm, June 20th, 2014 - 214 comments
Categories: labour, same old national - Tags: , ,

John Key’s alleging that hundreds of thousands flowed to Labour from Donghua Liu, but as the Nat’s smear campaign unravels, even the $15,000 can’t be found.

Who do we trust – an unnamed ‘party source’ in the Herald (of unknown reliability or motive), or Party records?  $15,000 is a sizeable donation for Labour, that is likely to be noted or remembered.

And Labour can’t find any trace.  Maybe he managed to disguise it enough that nobody knew he gave it (just a fabulous gift to democracy) – could the Herald or National prove Liu never gave $15,000 to them (or their employees / members) in 2007?  It’s a fabulous game, because it’s virtually impossible to prove it never happened.

And it’s an even better game, because there’s nothing wrong with a donation even if he did make it.  That’s how our political party democracy works.  So National managed to get the media going “a-ha! he gave money to you 7 years ago!” and “a-ha! you wrote a letter asking when his application was going to be processed 11 years ago!”… when there’s nothing wrong with either of those things.  (And your partner spending $100 or $200 on a bottle of wine at a local Labour wine auction is hardly the way to buy influence…)

There’s no equivalence with the money Liu gave to National resulting in the special treatment Williamson and Woodhouse then gave him.

And then Woodhouse pops up again yesterday… having got the letter on May 9 and briefed Key on it – leading to Key’s stupid gloating that blew this whole smear open.  Woodhouse was then had a brainfade of Key-like proportions1 when he denied all knowledge of something from last month, only to have to back-track, when he realised he’d be caught out.

But there’s a missing link here: where’s Donghua himself in all this?  Surely he could clear this up very quickly.  If the donation exists, he could say how he hid it beyond Labour’s record-keeping so it can be found.  And the rest of the hundreds of thousands that Key is claiming.

But instead we have no evidence but an anonymous claim, and the National smear unravelling.

–

1 see: Key on Ian Fletcher etc

214 comments on “Is the $15,000 even true? ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. infused 1
    20 June 2014 at 1:46 pm

    It’s how the money got to Labour. Having no trace is exactly the point.

    It’s like you walk in to one door, open it, then walk in to another.

    • McFlock 1.1
      20 June 2014 at 2:23 pm

      So you haven’t stopped beating your wife, then. A secret source suggested to me that you might have beaten her in the past.

      Same logic – if there’s no proof of an act, it’s just proof that you covered it up. You should resign your job…

    • Colonial Viper 1.2
      20 June 2014 at 2:24 pm

      Well, if it never happened, of course there is “no trace.” Duh.

    • mickysavage 1.3
      20 June 2014 at 4:29 pm

      Even if it did happen I am still struggling to see the relevance. It is not as if a Labour Minister put pressure on the police to drop a prosecution or anything …

  2. nadis 2
    20 June 2014 at 1:55 pm

    “where’s Donghua himself in all this?”

    I suggest be careful what you wish for……. If this is a carefully crafted attack then that will likely be the next step. Affidavits away.

    • One Anonymous Bloke 2.1
      20 June 2014 at 2:49 pm

      +1

    • freedom 2.2
      20 June 2014 at 3:08 pm

      Anything short of a sworn Affidavit from Liu is meaningless now the Nats have woven so much cloth from the emporer’s new thread

      • lprent 2.2.1
        20 June 2014 at 3:59 pm

        And any such affidavit should have dates and location in it to have any validity. Ideally he should be able to show the transaction from bank records. So far all that I have seen is bullshit.

        • freedom 2.2.1.1
          20 June 2014 at 4:09 pm

          With numerous stalled developments of various scale littering Auckland (and elsewhere?) I imagine Liu’s bank and tax records would make for some complicated reading and finding any donations may prove more difficult forensically than he and his associates are comfortable with.

          • Rob 2.2.1.1.1
            20 June 2014 at 4:11 pm

            So almost as complex as Cunliffe’s trust arrangement. I wonder why these people need these things…..

            • freedom 2.2.1.1.1.1
              20 June 2014 at 4:15 pm

              Can you be a little more specific?
              I only ask because the speed and vagueness of your reply looks a bit knee jerky and liable to collapse when put against publicly accepted facts.

          • lprent 2.2.1.1.2
            20 June 2014 at 4:57 pm

            So we get these dumbarse whisper campaigns instead…. Nuisance value and getting good for 3 month bans,.

    • David H 2.3
      21 June 2014 at 9:03 am

      But if the affidavits are incorrect, or even Wail oil specials, then I would expect Lawsuits to flow thick and fast. And I also imagine Donghua liu would not like that at all. Maybe he’s ‘Gone home to China.’

  3. blue leopard 3
    20 June 2014 at 1:56 pm

    Gees you have to question everything that members of this government say.

    If Labour can’t find evidence of this donation and don’t know about it – it kind of destroys the whole argument; which is people having influence through the amounts they are donating.

    Donating isn’t a problem – it is when they get special treatment for doing so that is the problem.

    The best way to avoid this issue entirely is to address serious disparity in wealth. That way no one gains special treatment or more power due to their account balance because there are no longer people who have huge amounts more than others.

    • Ant 3.1
      20 June 2014 at 2:18 pm

      You’d expect they’d have a donation that big on record even if it wasn’t declared properly, just for the plain fact that they’d want to know who they could hit up for more cheques.

      • blue leopard 3.1.1
        20 June 2014 at 3:51 pm

        They might have it on record – it might be that they can’t find it. Or it may be that it didn’t occur.

        Both these questions are beside the point – if they are not aware of the donation then the accusation that the donation is influencing their policies or behaviour – which is the problem here – has no foundation.

    • David H 3.2
      21 June 2014 at 11:17 am

      “Gees you have to question everything that members of this government say”

      Yep if TricKey told me that Monday comes after Sunday. I would STILL check it on a Calender.

  4. bad12 4
    20 June 2014 at 2:02 pm

    infused, the density of your comment would indicate that at the time it was decided upon your particular quotient of brains a couple of planks worth was definitely out of the order, someone obviously nipped down to Bunnings for a whole packet of four by two,

    What we know, is that Liu may have bid on an auction being run by,(a part),of the Labour Party, this has been said to be either an auction for a book or bottle of wine,

    Now there is NO evidence of this what-so-ever to be found in the Labour Party records which would strongly hint to anyone that if such a ‘win’ at an auction took place the monies didn’t go to Labour as a central organization, instead to Labour at some Branch level,

    BUT, having said all that, there is NO evidence from anyone that Liu gave money to ANY part of the Labour Party through either a direct donation or through ‘winning’ an auction,

    IF you have any shred of evidence that would suggest otherwise please provide it or shut the fuck up as the tiresome whine of the ‘wing-nuts’ claiming that such donations were made without a shred of evidence is getting far too tiresome to continue reading…

  5. Enough is Enough 5
    20 June 2014 at 2:12 pm

    Why are we asking this question? It looks like a time bomb to me. And if its not explaining is loosing anyway.

    Cunliffe walked straight into the Nat’s dirty ambush this week. Lets not go down that track again.

    This has the scent of exactly the same thing. Get Labour to deny it outright and then bang release an affidavit from the corrupt China Man.

  6. BM 6
    20 June 2014 at 2:19 pm

    Key = Jimmy Page
    Labour = Fender Stratocaster

    • grumpy 6.1
      20 June 2014 at 2:25 pm

      As opposed to duelling banjos.

    • Tom Jackson 6.2
      20 June 2014 at 3:44 pm

      Jimmy Page almost always plays a Gibson Les Paul, Gibson EDS-1275, Fender Telecaster or Danelectro. Hardly ever a Strat.

      I think you mean Jimi Hendrix.

      If you’re going to make puerile insults, at least make them historically accurate.

      • grumpy 6.2.1
        20 June 2014 at 4:06 pm

        Eric Clapton plays a Fender…………………

      • BM 6.2.2
        20 June 2014 at 7:03 pm

        Thank you Mr Guitar trainspotter.

        I was actually just using the Fender Stratocaster in a generic sense, then for accuracy.

        Bit like saying, he was using a bobcat instead of a Hyundai skid loader, bit more chance of people knowing what I’m talking about.

        • Tom Jackson 6.2.2.1
          20 June 2014 at 11:25 pm

          Generic sense? That just makes it worse.

          Someone needs to attend the School of Rock. 😉

        • felix 6.2.2.2
          21 June 2014 at 9:49 am

          “bit more chance of people knowing what I’m talking about.”

          Yeah, ‘cos people who know who Page is and know what a Stratocaster is wouldn’t have a clue what a Les Paul is.

          Moran.

      • Anthony B'stard 6.2.3
        20 June 2014 at 11:50 pm

        Tom Jackson, epic fail there dude – google images pulls back hundreds of photos of Page with various strats both in concert and in the studio, as well as just for shits and giggles.

        • David H 6.2.3.1
          21 June 2014 at 9:12 am

          @AB’stard
          “Jimmy Page almost always plays a Gibson Les Paul, Gibson EDS-1275, Fender Telecaster or Danelectro. Hardly ever a Strat.”

          Cant you fucking read???

          “Jimmy Page almost” see the word ALMOST?
          “Hardly ever a Strat” see the word HARDLY?

          Fuck it’s worse than teaching my 3 year old to read. But at least he gets things right and goes OOopps when wrong. Unlike the Trolls on here, sometimes I feel like Billy Goat Gruff crossing the Bridge.

          Damn I wish I could get underlines and strike through’s to work

    • fender 6.3
      20 June 2014 at 3:57 pm

      Nah Key is the priest and Labour the altar boy..

  7. grumpy 7
    20 June 2014 at 2:22 pm

    Matthew Hooten is hinting at $300k. That’s a BIG paper bag.

      • karol 7.1.1
        20 June 2014 at 2:59 pm

        And your analysis of this bit of delusionary propaganda?

        What the left calls “the neoliberal experiment” the right believes is the most progressive set of policies ever to have been implemented in the history of the world, that has lifted hundreds of millions of people out of poverty in China, South East Asia and (more slowly) India, as opposed to the alternative approach that has caused misery in much of South America and Europe.
        We believe that everyone in New Zealand has gained from the post-1984 consensus and that a shift to what Cunliffe proposes would harm everyone in New Zealand.
        We may of course be wrong.
        But we believe this quite passionately.

        hint – try looking at the growth in the inequality gap following the beginning of this brave neoliberal experiement with the lives and well being of Kiwis?

        • grumpy 7.1.1.1
          20 June 2014 at 3:15 pm

          Nah, it’s the last couple of lines I was getting at.

          • karol 7.1.1.1.1
            20 June 2014 at 3:31 pm

            Why didn’t you say – so someone called graham reporting a rumour is your evidence? Don’t be shy – actually state why you included the link rather than just posting it.

            And it will get worse for Labour when the rumoured $300k issue emerges.

            If Labour aren’t aware of this alleged 300k, and don’t know what the allegations are referring to, is it an issue? Or just some frothing by right wing fantacists?

            Hint – you can’t do favours for cash, if you aren”t aware of who the donors are and how much they gave.

            • grumpy 7.1.1.1.1.1
              20 June 2014 at 3:38 pm

              Look closer. The comment is by Matthew Hooten replying to Graeme. Now, as I am sure you know, Hoots is likely to know a thing or two about this.

              • lprent …
                20 June 2014 at 3:45 pm

                But Hooton is also perfectly willing to stoke the rumour mill if it can done in a such a way that it doesn’t cause legal issues. In this case talking about a organisation and providing no details.

                PR people tend to be like that. Bullshit artists..

                • McFlock …
                  20 June 2014 at 3:50 pm

                  Hooten a bullshit artist?

                  Bullshit finger-painter, more like.

                  And slater just mashes the bowl of bullshit with his fists.

              • karol …
                20 June 2014 at 3:52 pm

                Oh. Didn’t realise it was Hooton who’d written such delusional stuff about neoliberalism.

                • Tracey …
                  20 June 2014 at 4:09 pm

                  Hoots must have slept through the 87 crash and the gfc, or through inside knowledge got his skin out of the game in time.

                  • alwyn …
                    20 June 2014 at 5:27 pm

                    You didn’t need inside knowledge to avoid the 87 crash in New Zealand.
                    All you needed was a brain in your head.
                    If you didn’t realise that there was an almighty bubble of assets being passed around between Brierley, Chase Renouf, Judgecorp, Equiticorp etc with them declaring huge profits based on nothing shouldn’t have anything to do with the market.

                    The GFC was rather harder to pick, at least as to how far it would spread.
                    I would observe that very few of the so-called “insiders” did get out.

                    • Colonial Viper …
                      20 June 2014 at 10:58 pm

                      I would observe that very few of the so-called “insiders” did get out.

                      Correct. Many a major investment banking crash and burn almost happened – theirs was a great business model to be gifted hundreds of billions of dollars by the tax payer though.

          • Anne 7.1.1.1.2
            20 June 2014 at 3:32 pm

            Not directly related to the $15,000 but just seen this “update” at the Herald website.

            http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11278299

            Seems an OIA was also sought for the Williamson and Banks letters to Immigration re- Liu’s citizenship bid. Immigration declined to release the Williamson and Banks letters citing privacy reasons, but was happy to release the Cunliffe letter.

            Now what does that suggest – corruption within Immigration NZ?

            • grumpy 7.1.1.1.2.1
              20 June 2014 at 3:41 pm

              What it show to me is that anyone who needs that many letters from politicians to get into the country, shouldn’t.

              • Colonial Viper …
                20 June 2014 at 3:45 pm

                So why is Immigration protecting Williamson and Banks, but treating Cunliffe as a second class citizen? And are you good with two separate standards being applied?

                This is fucking up on National big time.

                • grumpy …
                  20 June 2014 at 3:56 pm

                  Doubt that they are, we all knew Williamson was helping Liu, he went too far and lost his portfolio over it. Probably OIA has been rejected, as The Herald’s previous one was because of how it was worded.
                  You are welcome to take Banks up on whatever he wrote.
                  Note though, that neither of these guys has been howling in outrage about imagined scandals, that it turns out they were donkey deep in.

        • Tom Jackson 7.1.1.2
          20 June 2014 at 6:36 pm

          I don’t think anyone sane has ever disputed that adoption of a free market mechanism for the provision of many goods can lift countries out of poverty.

          But he’s barking mad if he thinks that first world standards of living can be obtained without the welfare state.

    • David H 7.2
      21 June 2014 at 9:27 am

      Hooton is nothing but a purveyor of National Party Horseshit!

      Thank god he don’t get dressed up in a blue tutu.
      http://www.zazzle.co.nz/cute_pink_ballet_ballerina_elephant_in_tutu_tile-227319104202552640

  8. Adrian 8
    20 June 2014 at 2:23 pm

    Liu, 12 fucking years in the country and still can’t speak a word of English ( or can he ? ). Maybe he just doesn’t understand what ever it is that Maurice speaks.
    Send the fucker back to China where on reflection their practice of decapitation for corrupt ” businessmen” looks like an idea with some merit.

    • grumpy 8.1
      20 June 2014 at 2:27 pm

      What a shame then that Labour set the wheels in motion to prevent that by giving him residency only ONE DAY before the election.
      Like Owen Glenn, best mates while Labour was bleeding them….

      • Tracey 8.1.1
        20 June 2014 at 3:25 pm

        didnt owen glenn buy winston according to john key?

        • alwyn 8.1.1.1
          20 June 2014 at 5:34 pm

          Who knows, but he certainly coughed up $500,000 for the Labour Party which should have bought at least a bit more gratitude than it did.
          Helen Clark wouldn’t even greet him in public a little later on. Do you remember how whenever he moved near her at some function, (I think to do with his donations to Auckland University), Trevor Mallard intercepted and diverted him.

      • David H 8.1.2
        21 June 2014 at 9:49 am

        And then this in the Granny… Now it looks like Liu is not that happy either at being a political football.

        “The events had left Liu feeling “like a bit of a political football” and that media had “treated me as some opportunistic foreigner who is only here to make money and throw his weight around”.

        “Sure, I’ve donated to political parties, met and socialised with MPs, even lobbied for changes to enable more investment into the country. However, let me be clear, no one’s ever promised to deliver me anything,” said Liu.

        “Every New Zealand politician I’ve ever dealt with over the years has pretty much just said ‘Thank you Donghua, we hear you loud and clear, we know we can do better, but we’ve got a lot to consider’.”

        http://www.nzherald.co.nz/election-2014/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503581&objectid=11278520

    • Blue 8.2
      20 June 2014 at 6:18 pm

      Your xenophobia speaks volumes. Don’t forget to wipe the spittle from your chin when you log off.

    • felix 8.3
      21 June 2014 at 9:55 am

      “Liu, 12 fucking years in the country and still can’t speak a word of English ( or can he ? ). Maybe he just doesn’t understand what ever it is that Maurice speaks.”

      If I lived next to Maurice I’d probably not let him know I could speak English either.

  9. tsmithfield 9
    20 June 2014 at 2:43 pm

    I don’t know about the $15000 donation. But the trip to China by Barker has been admitted. In fact, it turns out that Lui the dinner Barker had with Lui was on a nice boat cruise down the Yangtze river.

    No word on whether Barker drank any milk though. 🙂

  10. Anne 10
    20 June 2014 at 2:52 pm

    I can’t believe these numbskull rwnjs. They must be panicking big time. Next thing we’ll hear that Barker was seen going into a toilet on the boat and was heard talking to someone while he was in there.

    • karol 10.1
      20 June 2014 at 2:57 pm

      They must think the smoke and mirrors of smears, based on flimsy facts, amounts to accusations of substance. Either they are panicking, or they are just following the strategies of much of big business – it’s the impression and perception that counts: bugger the facts. Manipulation of perceptions and propaganda is easier to do than produce evidence of substance.

    • grumpy 10.2
      20 June 2014 at 3:17 pm

      Over 55% in the polls, yep, that’s a great reason to panic.

      • Enough is Enough 10.2.1
        20 June 2014 at 3:48 pm

        Why the need to attack Cunliffe then?

        • Colonial Viper 10.2.1.1
          20 June 2014 at 3:50 pm

          Because they are scared witless by Cunliffe.

          • Melb 10.2.1.1.1
            20 June 2014 at 8:45 pm

            He’s floundering, and has been ever since he became leader. Perhaps they’re putting him out of his misery.

            • Colonial Viper 10.2.1.1.1.1
              20 June 2014 at 10:56 pm

              Well he’s had a bit of a rough start but simply getting to grips with the demands of the Leaders office and the role of Leader is a full on 12 month job. But Cunliffe is very capable and he is accelerating up the steep part of the learning curve as we speak.

        • grumpy 10.2.1.2
          20 June 2014 at 3:58 pm

          Hypocrites are fair game and lying sanctimonious hypocrites even more so.

    • grumpy 10.3
      20 June 2014 at 3:18 pm

      While drinking a glass of milk – the scandal!!!

  11. fender 11
    20 June 2014 at 3:01 pm

    Truth, openness and integrity are not qualities National waste any time worrying about. These allegations are just untruthful revenge tactics employed by a corrupt Govt. who are extremely bitter about having their corruption exposed.

    • Tracey 11.1
      20 June 2014 at 3:31 pm

      well cunliffe has asked key to table the information about alleged donations so the party and he can deal with it openly and honestly?

      Money on key doing that anytime soon anyone? Is ipredict running a book on that one?

      • Enough is Enough 11.1.1
        20 June 2014 at 4:17 pm

        Why would he. He wants to win an election. The best time to do that from his perspective would be about 2-3 weeks out from the election.

        • Tracey 11.1.1.1
          20 June 2014 at 4:27 pm

          cos he is an honest guy who believes in transparency and said he would even answer questions people forgot to ask.

      • srylands 11.1.2
        20 June 2014 at 4:29 pm

        Tracey don’t be stupid all your life.

        Andrea Vance nailed it:

        Andrea Vance @avancenz · Jun 18

        “WTH? Labour are asking the Government questions on their own scandal? is this a good plan?”

        https://twitter.com/avancenz

        • Tracey 11.1.2.1
          20 June 2014 at 4:34 pm

          Slylands

          Fuck Off

          • lprent 11.1.2.1.1
            20 June 2014 at 4:37 pm

            Why? (Good thing for you that I am reading, not moderating)

            • grumpy 11.1.2.1.1.1
              20 June 2014 at 4:41 pm

              Time for everyone to go home and have a good night’s sleep. Another day tomorrow.

              • Pasupial …
                20 June 2014 at 6:47 pm

                grumpy

                Do you only post during business hours?

                Your boss must be pissed at your wasting the time he’s paid for (as well as ours in having to scroll past your blather). Unless, of course, you’re just a paid shill for Nact and its exploitative masters.

            • Tracey 11.1.2.1.1.2
              20 June 2014 at 5:06 pm

              because for months he accuses me of being drunk, stupid, deluded, and i turn the other cheek. Today was one occassion i stooped

          • srylands 11.1.2.1.2
            20 June 2014 at 5:10 pm

            Totally rude. Seriously all I did was share a post by Andrea Vance which says it all. No need to go ape shit. And if you act drunk, folk will think you are drunk. If that is not the case I withdraw and apologise.

            • Pasupial 11.1.2.1.2.1
              20 June 2014 at 6:41 pm

              Srylands don’t be stupid all your life.

            • dimebag russell 11.1.2.1.2.2
              20 June 2014 at 7:19 pm

              well why dont you say what you think.
              quoting others all the time is lazy and moranic.

            • One Anonymous Bloke 11.1.2.1.2.3
              21 June 2014 at 6:26 pm

              S Rylands, you maggot, you have done little but abuse and defame Tracey for months, which makes you a rancid hypocrite with a severely diminished sense of personal responsibility.

              Sucking on the public tit all your life, eh, “policy” boy.

            • dave 11.1.2.1.2.4
              22 June 2014 at 2:44 am

              hooton and sryland can fuck off and take there lies with them

        • grumpy 11.1.2.2
          20 June 2014 at 4:38 pm

          Gold, Vance gets it.

        • McFlock 11.1.2.3
          20 June 2014 at 4:41 pm

          Labour would just like to know what national are planning to make up next.
          Seems reasonable enough

          • grumpy 11.1.2.3.1
            20 June 2014 at 4:42 pm

            It is, if you have lost control of your own scandal.

            • McFlock 11.1.2.3.1.1
              20 June 2014 at 4:49 pm

              It’s not “your own scandal” if someone else is just making shit up.

              • Anthony B'stard …
                21 June 2014 at 12:02 am

                believe me, you can’t make this stuff up – its such an absolute mare that it would take someone far more talented than is working for a political party to contrive it. Total comedy gold.

                • McFlock …
                  21 June 2014 at 6:20 pm

                  why would I believe you? I’d much rather some actual, you know, facts.

                  At the moment this “scandal” is just a bunch of invented stories from politicalopponents.

            • Tracey 11.1.2.3.1.2
              20 June 2014 at 5:07 pm

              when does your scandal become someone elses…

        • One Anonymous Bloke 11.1.2.4
          20 June 2014 at 5:09 pm

          Vance also cites a stuff straw poll that says 44% want a change of government. Her credibility is so shiny I had to wear a microscope to see it.

  12. Skinny 12
    20 June 2014 at 3:20 pm

    It is all spin doctoring by National to try convince people that the election is a forgone conclusion. How can the idiot media be allowed to push such horse shit out there based on one dodgy poll of 23%.

    Labour & The Greens need to hammer home the message that counts 10,000 votes was the difference at the last election, so make your vote count this time. Nationals own polling of the likes of South Auckland and other poorer areas will be telling a very grim story of people intending to vote this election. This will be the real story and the spin merchants are working overtime.

  13. Tracey 13
    20 June 2014 at 3:21 pm

    If it exists, if it was undeclared, isnt that a problen Bunji?

    The truth iss irrelevant. The right wingers who post here have made that clear. To them lying is not an issue, it is how competent you are at it, and if you “get away with it”.

    That the truth from the lips of our politicians has become irrelevant, how do we expect youngsters to comprehend the difference between right and wrong?

    The fish rots from the head, and if nzgovt is the fish, we barely have the bones left.

    Funny how the right lean on The Prince to rationalise and justify behaviour while sitting in moral judgment on beneficiaries. I include a number of labour mps in that.

    ”
    Princes who set little store by their word but have known how to over-reach men by their cunning have accomplished great things, and in the end got the better of those who trusted to honest dealing. The prince must be a lion, but he must also know how to play the fox. He who wishes to deceive will never fail to find willing dupes. The prince, in short, ought not to quit good courses if he can help it, but should know how to follow evil courses if he must.”

    Sadly many writing about the issues over the last wee while consider that a compliment

    • srylands 13.1
      20 June 2014 at 3:39 pm

      “The fish rots from the head, and if nzgovt is the fish, we barely have the bones left.”

      Honestly what crap. Have you ever been to other countries?

      WE have extremely open government. We are one of the few governments with GAAP accounts. We have a Public Finance Act that continues to be world leading. We have an extremely low level of corruption. A record high satisfaction with government services.

      You are so deluded. Leave the couch and get out for some fresh air. Or go and experience some other countries for a few months and then come back and tell us that shit about the fish. You are unbelievable.

      • McFlock 13.1.1
        20 June 2014 at 3:46 pm

        Well, it’s not quite Australia (where you live), but the fact that the cops said there was insufficient evidence for a prosecution when in fact there was evidence beyond reasonable doubt speaks volumes. as does the fact that letters from government MPs are withheld from OIA releases, but letters from opposition MPs are released in double-quick time.

      • Colonial Viper 13.1.2
        20 June 2014 at 3:48 pm

        What the fuck is this “WE” crap, Shitlands? You are a foreigner, you’ve never been to NZ, you’ve never worked in NZ. Fuck off with your false pretences.

        [lprent: Fact? Link please. ]

        • Hayden 13.1.2.1
          20 June 2014 at 4:08 pm

          lprent: srylands claims to live in Australia here:

          http://thestandard.org.nz/buy-meridian-shares-mrp/#comment-687282

          There’s been a fair bit of general weirdness about geography, e.g., having a (employer-supplied?) carpark at 125 The Terrace but working in Pipitea St, accusing people of living in Outer Kaiti (same post); I don’t know about having never been here, but mentioning Australia is usually an effective way of dispatching srylands.

          • Tracey 13.1.2.1.1
            20 June 2014 at 4:22 pm

            Thanks for saving me the trouble. Thank god his imaginary kids have an imaginary mother who votes green.

          • Colonial Viper 13.1.2.1.2
            20 June 2014 at 5:14 pm

            Really appreciate the assist. And thanks for the thought Tracey.

          • srylands 13.1.2.1.3
            20 June 2014 at 5:58 pm

            You do realise that many people commute between countries don’t you? Or have you never been out of NZ? What gets me is the xenophobia you show against anyone who doesn’t fit your idea of a New Zealander. You are a racist.

            • Hayden 13.1.2.1.3.1
              20 June 2014 at 6:19 pm

              What gets me is the xenophobia you show against anyone who doesn’t fit your idea of a New Zealander.

              What? Proof of such please, apart from you, or withdraw.

              You are a racist.

              I didn’t realise Australian was a race.

              From the link above:

              srylands:

              [in response to a question about GST being 15%] yes I looked it up – 15% – but it is 10% in Australia where I live.

              srylands:

              Who cares? Kapiti, Sydney, doesn’t matter. We are all citizens of the world now anyway.

              You are the person who claimed to live in Australia, apparently to somehow justify not knowing what the rate of GST in NZ was. It’s also quite amusing to watch you scuttle off whenever someone brings it up, although apparently that’s been tried once too often.

              • srylands …
                20 June 2014 at 6:33 pm

                The proof is your hostile reaction to me because I commute between Australia and New Zealand. You either hate Australians or hate Australians who are also New Zealand citizens or you hate foreigners. It is taking the new Left anti-immigration stance too far IMO.

                I have certainly lived in Australia for long periods. I have lived in New Zealand for long periods. I am a citizen of both countries. All the statements I have made about residence were correct when I made them.

                As a New Zealand citizen and a taxpayer I resent you and your fellow travellers directing xenophobic hostility towards me because I don’t fit your idea of a New Zealander. It is deeply disturbing. I hope it is an unfortunate view that you and Colonial Viper holds. Maybe it is a South Island thing he has. I have no idea. But I hope you get condemned for your views.

                • BM …
                  20 June 2014 at 6:43 pm

                  It’s a South island thing, they’re a bit backward down dem ways, banjos, pigs, lots of grease, you get the picture.

                  Thank goodness for Cook strait is all I can say and heaven help us up North if they ever work out what the ferry is for.

                  • Hayden …
                    20 June 2014 at 7:32 pm

                    You’re not exactly helping your cause (either of you) when you ascribe “xenophobia” to being from a geographical area.

                • Hayden …
                  20 June 2014 at 6:47 pm

                  What a load of bollocks. You don’t know my motivations, ergo you’re lying.

                  Did you live in Kapiti on August 19 2013 and Australia on August 28 2013? Did you forget the rate of GST on the flight over?

                  • BM …
                    20 June 2014 at 6:54 pm

                    Lots of people work in multiple counties, usually the company they work for has offices in two or more counties.
                    I’ve known a few to be working one week in Melbourne the next in NZ, than over to Singapore for a bit.

                    • Hayden …
                      20 June 2014 at 7:01 pm

                      Yes, of course, but they generally say that when discussing their place of residence.

                      They probably also know basic facts about the economy they’re lecturing people on, as well.

                  • srylands …
                    20 June 2014 at 7:50 pm

                    I know your motivations are sinister.

                • Pasupial …
                  20 June 2014 at 7:06 pm

                  Srylands don’t be stupid all your life.

                  The reason for the “hostile reaction” to you is in your own words. Your general demeanor of fuckwittery wins you no friends.

                  The length of time you claimed NZ GST rate to be 10% argues against you spending much of your time in Aotearoa. What proportion of your annual tax is paid in Australia? My guess is more than 90%.

                  Also; learn what “racist” means – it is not a synonym of xenophobic (though Hayden has already pointed this out). Even that is incorrect as I don’t despise all Australians – just you.

                  (well; you, and Tony Abbott)

                  • Hayden …
                    20 June 2014 at 7:24 pm

                    Hell, I haven’t been hostile towards anyone, just pointing out a pattern of behaviour and statements that’s caused a few people to doubt the provenance of this srylands character.

                    I don’t dislike Australians (I don’t hate anybody) except when they pretend to be New Zealanders and stir up shit on blogs. Or they insist on being taken back to the Brisbane CBD to meet up with their annoying fiancée who apparently can’t amuse herself for another 30 minutes, causing my ride to the airport to be late and me to subsequently miss my Brisbane-Sydney flight, and therefore my Sydney-Wellington flight. And over-officious counter staff (not the lovely lady at the Domestic terminal who managed to get me on Brisbane-Auckland so I’d at least be in the right country, but the drama-queen of a bloke at International).

                  • srylands …
                    20 June 2014 at 7:52 pm

                    “What proportion of your annual tax is paid in Australia? My guess is more than 90%.”

                    I suggest you are a fuckwit.

                    100% of my tax is paid in New Zealand. That is because I am a tax resident of New Zealand.

                    You are a presumptious xenphobic turd.

                    • McFlock …
                      20 June 2014 at 7:55 pm

                      Really? Next you’ll be spouting Australian tax rates again…

                    • Pasupial …
                      20 June 2014 at 10:51 pm

                      Srylands don’t be stupid all your life.

                      If you spend any time at all in Australia then anything you purchase there would be subject to GST at the rate of 10% (you have demonstrated that do know this already). Therefore it is not possible for you to pay 100% of your annual tax in NZ.

                      Loathing you and your drivel does not me xenophobic (“you keep using that word – I do not think it means what you think it means”). Nor is it presumptuous of me to respond to statements made in a public forum such as TS.

                      But if you choose to suggest that I am a; fuckwit turd, then allow me to state that your words are surely: The most foetid dribble of diarrhoea ever to be smeared upon the toilet wall of life by a cackhanded fool who is evidently unable to comprehend the basics of social life, such as; empathy, courtesy for others, or civilised behaviour.

                      I hope that your overstimulated bile-ducts will soon rupture and lead to an agonizing demise from peritonitis, so that I no longer have to scroll past your shit.

                    • Colonial Viper …
                      20 June 2014 at 10:51 pm

                      Lol, Shitlands

          • srylands 13.1.2.1.4
            20 June 2014 at 6:16 pm

            “having a (employer-supplied?) carpark at 125 The Terrace but working in Pipitea St”

            That is totally odd isn’t it? Having a carpark (which I pay for) 10 minutes walk from the office.

            • Hayden 13.1.2.1.4.1
              20 June 2014 at 7:29 pm

              There are several closer, but each to their own, I guess. I hope you’re car-pooling, otherwise you must really hate public transport to spend about $30 a day to end up further way than the railway station.

              • srylands …
                20 June 2014 at 7:58 pm

                Yeah so what happens when I change clients and don’t work in Pipitea Street any more?

            • dave 13.1.2.1.4.2
              22 June 2014 at 2:54 am

              evidence is overwheling sryland has been playing with his dingo for years but just cant get it up

          • Tracey 13.1.2.1.5
            21 June 2014 at 4:41 pm

            nice reverse psychology. he went on a posting rampage just so you couldnt be right about mentioning australia causing hhimto disappear

        • srylands 13.1.2.2
          20 June 2014 at 5:53 pm

          Really? And stop being rude. Again.

          You are a liar. I am a New Zealand citizen. I do spend some time in Australia but am a New Zealand resident and citizen (and a considerable taxpayer).

          You are being xenophobic, rude, and racist. Absolutely shocking. The pressure you are under is no excuse for that type of language and behaviour.

          • srylands 13.1.2.2.1
            20 June 2014 at 5:54 pm

            I can post a selfie taken outside the GCSB building in Pipitea Street if that helps?

            • Hayden 13.1.2.2.1.1
              20 June 2014 at 6:33 pm

              Sometime next week will do. Hold up a piece of paper with “My name is srylands and I don’t live in Australia” and the current date hand-written on it.

              • felix …
                21 June 2014 at 9:19 am

                It would be helpful if the sign also read:

                “ps I was definitely lying when I said I live in Australia”

      • Tracey 13.1.3
        20 June 2014 at 4:19 pm

        Hit your nerve there machiavelli slylands?

        For a guy who once wrote he didnt care enough about politics to get emotional you got very emotional about one comment i wrote…which you seperated from its context.

      • Pasupial 13.1.4
        20 June 2014 at 7:15 pm

        So was it a different Srylands who posted this comment @ 2.1.1 on “Polity: the game is the game” thread?

        These electoral laws regarding political party financing and donations are crock of shit. They should all be abolished. Anyone should be free to donate their money to a political party. The public disclosure of the identity of donors should be voluntary.
        Along the same lines, there should be no restrictions on political advertising or the financing of such advertising.”

        As it seems to contradict your statement above:

        WE have extremely open government. We are one of the few governments with GAAP accounts. We have a Public Finance Act that continues to be world leading. We have an extremely low level of corruption. A record high satisfaction with government services.

      • David H 13.1.5
        21 June 2014 at 3:13 pm

        Here we go Sorryglands is spouting bullshit again.

        “We have an extremely low level of corruption.” This may have been true until this mob of thieves and liars got into power.

        “A record high satisfaction with government services.” You don’t even live here so you know nothing of the shit you have to go through to get anything dome by this mob. Unless it’s them cutting benefits

  14. dimebag russell 14
    20 June 2014 at 3:22 pm

    So where did john keys get the $80,000,000 from?
    thats what I would like to know.

    • alwyn 14.1
      20 June 2014 at 5:42 pm

      Presumably you are claiming that John Key is personally worth $80 million.
      Can you, or anyone else provide any real evidence that this is the case?
      And real evidence isn’t hack journalists interviewing their keyboards.
      As lprent says just up from here at 13.1.2
      Link Please.

      • dimebag russell 14.1.1
        20 June 2014 at 7:49 pm

        link stink!
        show us the $15,000 you moran!
        and dont tell me what to do and dont tell lprent to tell me what to do either. that is extra superstrength moranic!

        • alwyn 14.1.1.1
          20 June 2014 at 9:16 pm

          The word I think you are trying to write is Moron by the way. And, by the way, the Prime Minister’s name is John Key, not John Keys.

          Why are you so upset? You are the one who brought up the $80 million. I assumed you were interested in that and had some reason for picking that number. That is why I asked where you got it from. I, like you, decided that “thats what I would like to know”.

          Apparently you haven’t got a reason, and aren’t interested after all, so I’ll assume you didn’t mean the comment.

          • dimebag russell 14.1.1.1.1
            20 June 2014 at 9:32 pm

            do what you like.
            unlike tory gangsters I have no desire to make others do anything.
            If thats their speed then so be it.
            and I am not upset.
            I dont give A SHIT.
            so answer the question.
            where didjohn keys get $80,000,000 from.
            thats a lot of maney for not producing anything tangible.

            • alwyn 14.1.1.1.1.1
              20 June 2014 at 9:47 pm

              But Russell you seem to be confused.
              First you say ” I have no desire to make others do anything”
              Then, a couple of lines later you say
              “so answer the question.
              where didjohn keys get $80,000,000 from”
              How on earth can you both say you don’t want to make me answer and then demand I do so?
              If you can show me how you know that John has actually got $80 million it might be possible to attempt to answer the question. It appears however to simply be a number that you have made up. Can I ask you to explain where David Shearer got $US 200 million in his New York bank account? That is just as silly a question as neither of us know how much Key, or Shearer, is worth and I, like you, have just drawn a figure out of thin air.

            • alwyn 14.1.1.1.2.1
              20 June 2014 at 9:56 pm

              You learn something every day. I had certainly never heard of an asteroid of the name.
              In fact I would be hard pressed to name more that about 3 asteroids so it is not surprising.

              The nearest thing that came to mind was the film “Breaker Morant”.
              On the other hand I agree with Draco T Bastard in the bit you linked to. I also hate that misspelling.

          • john 14.1.1.1.3
            20 June 2014 at 9:57 pm

            Alwyn – either you are a Maasai warrior from Kenya (a “moran”), or a moron has spelt moron as moran.

            • alwyn 14.1.1.1.3.1
              20 June 2014 at 10:06 pm

              I surrender. The word actually does have a choice of real meanings.
              The arcane knowledge that people bring up on these blogs never ceases to astonish me.
              I like the sentiment in the second part of your sentence though.

  15. Bob 15
    20 June 2014 at 3:22 pm

    Hmm, wasn’t Mike Williams President of the Labour Party back then? Maybe that is why they can’t find any trace of the money? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRBadxNFbWc&feature=player_embedded

  16. Tracey 16
    20 June 2014 at 3:28 pm

    Is the whole file, as released under the oia, now available, or just parts of it?

    • Bunji 16.1
      20 June 2014 at 4:40 pm

      No, just opposition MPs letters… see NRT post on main page…

      • grumpy 16.1.1
        20 June 2014 at 4:43 pm

        hint…..follow the money.

        • freedom 16.1.1.1
          20 June 2014 at 4:56 pm

          noooooo nooo nooooooo you don’t want people to start doing that
          can you imagine what would happen to democracy if political funding was transparent 😉

        • Hami Shearlie 16.1.1.2
          20 June 2014 at 5:15 pm

          What money?? Where is the video of the trenchcoated man with the dirty dog sunglasses carrying the humungous paper bag full of hundred dollar bills and handing it to David Cunliffe with Mike Williams and Helen there with their rubber finger stalls on, ready for the counting?

            • McFlock 16.1.1.2.1.1
              20 June 2014 at 9:16 pm

              let us know when there’s any actual evidence, won’t you?
              You know, something more than runour…

              • RedLogix …
                20 June 2014 at 10:48 pm

                McF – facts not required.

                When did you last see a rwnj resort to ‘facts’?

                • McFlock …
                  20 June 2014 at 10:57 pm

                  RedLogix – I think key might have mentioned something in the House, but he had to run back and ask for leave to “correct” his response into saying that he couldn’t remember who made the phone call…

            • john 16.1.1.2.1.2
              20 June 2014 at 10:27 pm

              Six years ago in 2008 the Herald were probing Labour about certain donations from Liu. i.e specifically a donation from Liu at the Jade Terrace Restaurant in 2008.

              At the same time the National opposition asked under the Official Information Act for all correspondence from Labour MPs into the Liu case. That’s six years ago.

              • McFlock …
                20 June 2014 at 10:37 pm

                Six years ago in 2008 the Herald were probing Labour about certain donations from Liu. i.e specifically a donation from Liu at the Jade Terrace Restaurant in 2008.

                At the same time the National opposition asked under the Official Information Act for all correspondence from Labour MPs into the Liu case. That’s six years ago.

                but woodhouse and keyster said they were told about it only a few weeks ago.

                Are you calling them liars?

                • john …
                  20 June 2014 at 10:47 pm

                  It depends what came out, and who was given it, but the point is if National got all the material from the Liu case back in 2008, they could be sitting on a lot more material that they realise.

                  That might be why Shane Jones has suddenly resigned and taken off. He gave Liu NZ citizenship against all advice.

                  Immigration weren’t even sure who he was, and were still investigating that at the time.

                  There was ALSO a DIA investigation, AND a police investigation, and Liu was on a wanted list at Interpol.

                  But Shane Jones gave him NZ citizenship despite all that.

                  There’s something very, very wrong there.

                  How can you give someone citizenship when immigration are still trying to find out who they really are?

                  • Colonial Viper …
                    20 June 2014 at 10:53 pm

                    Wow you righties are really hoping that Labour doesn’t come back with guns blazing on the major policies/issues/concerns of daily living front.

                    Trying to tie down David Cunliffe on this BS that no one cares about and which even the MSM has trouble keeping alive on life support is making National look more stupid and venal by the day.

                    • Lanthanide …
                      20 June 2014 at 11:03 pm

                      Yes, the MSM run on this story has been strangely attenuated. They sort of gave up the ghost and have been in a self-reflection mode about how much of a story it really is, as well as contemplating the further details of the alleged $300k donation that Liu apparently has made.         

                    • Colonial Viper []
                      20 June 2014 at 11:14 pm

                      The MSM are trying to make front page news of the political and literal equivalent of a minor filing error from a previous decade. It’s daft.

                  • McFlock …
                    20 June 2014 at 10:57 pm

                    You meathead – jones was given a sinecure especially tailored for him by national. Why would this lot bribe him when they could have blackmailed or just dished dirt on him?

                    But I agree on one point – Labour’s better off without Jones.

                  • NZ Femme …
                    20 June 2014 at 11:33 pm

                    John – you are mistaken. Liu was granted citizenship by National MP Nathan Guy, after extensive lobbying by Banks and Williamson. Williamson himself conducted the citizenship ceremony in his own office.

                    I think you’ve confused residency with citizenship.

                    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11218598

              • Colonial Viper …
                20 June 2014 at 10:41 pm

                I love how National are ducking and diving any which way they can to avoid answering questions on policy and the big issues facing NZ.

              • karol …
                20 June 2014 at 11:00 pm

                Dear gods?!

                John @ 10.27pm – This misinformation was exposed yesterday. If this is the quality of the Nats’ smear team’s research, I don’t hold out much hope for their current rumours.

                You are talking about Yang Liu.

                This is Yang Liu, aka Bill Liu, Aka William Yan entering court in 2014.

                Now either Donghua Liu, if this is him, has undergone a remarkable transformation and premature aging process in the last 2 years, or you guys just cannot get your stories straight.

                • john …
                  20 June 2014 at 11:20 pm

                  So this is yet another crook, who donated to the Labour Party, then got citizenship despite strong official advice against it, being on an Interpol wanted list, etc.

                  Immigration advised the Immigration Minister, David Cunliffe, that Liu should not get citizenship should because they were investigating him and did not even know who he really was, as apart from being wanted by Interpol for massive fraud, he had multiple identities.

                  Nine months later, knowing how dogy this criminal was, Labour knowingly gave this criminal (and Labour Party donor) a New Zealand passport.

                  http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10582518

                  • karol …
                    20 June 2014 at 11:30 pm

                    Shane Jones was the one who overturned the advice, not Cunliffe. Shane Jones, Key’s golden boy. And Pansy Wong supported Billy Liu, too. Dover Samuel, too – another Labour MP no longer in parliament.

                    Then, in more recent times, it’s the current National government ministers who have been supporting and intervening on behalf of the other guy, Donghua Liu. You really are stretching things with your smear, which is looking pretty thin right now.

                    in the light of National’s abuse of the OIA today, this bit from one of the articles I linked to above is interesting:

                    Samuels believed his friend [Billy Liu] was fleeing human rights abuses, and would be in danger if he were returned to China.

                    The retiring Government MP said the Immigration Service and Internal Affairs Department had threatened to cancel Liu’s permanent residence, then had leaked the papers to Wishart as a smear campaign.

                  • McFlock …
                    20 June 2014 at 11:36 pm

                    Just to clarify, Cunliffe did not overrule the immigration advice. That was done by Shane Jones, the guy Nact just created a new position for?

                    Nice save, though, the way you transferred your immigration indignation from one Chinese guy to another…

                • David H …
                  21 June 2014 at 3:46 pm

                  Here’s pics of them both
                  http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/6950133/Case-of-a-well-connected-millionaire
                  This is the Fraud guy with multiple names.

                  http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/10183370/Labour-cash-probed
                  Donghua is the older one in court for wife beating.

                  So okay all you Nutjobs out there, who’s who? As both USE the ‘same’ Bill Liu name.
                  Both have donated to political parties.
                  Both have had politicians ‘help’ them.
                  Both it seems have had politicians fired.

                  And from their behaviour, both are really not the type of people that the Investor plus category was set up for.

            • David H 16.1.1.2.1.3
              21 June 2014 at 3:33 pm

              @Grumpy You obviously did not read the article, only the Headline but 3 paragraphs in was this little gem.

              “It is understood the affidavit was being pored over by lawyers today because there was a lack of documentation.”

              And no docs then it’s Bullshit!

              But given enough time I am sure anything can be fabricated.

  17. grumpy 17
    20 June 2014 at 4:13 pm

    …and now the drama moves on. Multiple commenters with sound National connections are talking of hundreds of thousands of undeclared donations………

    The Banks case set the precedent, question is – who will be left in Labour or is this the beginning of the end? Who would have thought the left’s hounding of Banks would have led to this possibility?

    • Tracey 17.1
      20 June 2014 at 4:24 pm

      why would national connections help, cos mark f was sure this was nothing to do with them.

    • lprent 17.2
      20 June 2014 at 4:54 pm

      FFS are you trying to get me up from the sofa to cut off your unsustaintiated astroturfing based on twitter rumours and silly whisper campaigns on blogs. I would suggest that you wait until you can provide a substantial link to a news article.

      Pace yourself for the longer campaign, because I am starting to feel that 3 month bans look better for my workload than having to repeat myself.

  18. Observer Tokoroa 18
    20 June 2014 at 4:44 pm

    I realise this site is a Green support blog ( Lprent and Tracey for instance) and a muck ground for National fiction writers, but if there is any Labor Lawyer on here, could they consider taking the Herald and Armstrong to court for implying illegalities on the part of Cunliffe.

    I realise they could lose any such case.

    But filing multiple actions against Herald reportage will put the Nats on notice – to some extent.

    • grumpy 18.1
      20 June 2014 at 4:56 pm

      Where have you been. This site not only has a lawyer in a prominent position but he also has acted from time to time in giving Mr Cunliffe legal advice.
      I am sure that if there was any opportunity to do as you suggest, it would have been done by now.

    • Lanthanide 18.2
      20 June 2014 at 8:42 pm

      It’s a very very bad move for politicians to file lawsuits against the media.

      • alwyn 18.2.1
        20 June 2014 at 9:22 pm

        They are best to wait until they retire. I have been told, and I have no way of confirming it, the David Lange did quite well in his retirement bringing, or threatening to bring, cases against various media outlets.
        It worked very well until one target, and I don’t remember whether it was Metro or North and South, took the case through all the Court levels and got a decision that wrecked the system for him, and every other New Zealand politician.
        All active politicians should remember Mark Twain’s comment about not getting into a fight with someone who buys their ink by the barrel.

  19. Observer Tokoroa 19
    20 June 2014 at 5:49 pm

    Hi Grumpy

    Key, Armstrong, Espiner, Hooton just fire bullet after bullet at Labor. Cunliffe even talks calmly and sensibly back at them. What he needs to do is to turn the tables. Every time an Armstrong takes a shot – all Cunliffe has to say is that “Armstrong has his facts wrong again”. Then repeat that and repeat it and repeat it. “ARMSTRONTG HAS HIS FACTS WRONG AGAIN”

    Lets try another one. “Key gets favoured treatment from every Govt Department”. He also gets false “facts” from every Govt department, including the Police. Key is a dangerous man for NZ.”

    Then say it and say it and say it

    Then ask the Media as a whole why they despise Labor? And ask it again and again and again. The Media in NZ publishes false facts, prepared by Key’s office.”

    Got it Grumpy?

  20. fisiani 20
    20 June 2014 at 6:42 pm

    How much did Liu give to The Cunliffe’s secret leadership bid? Who knows? The Cunliffe refuses to register the gift as required.

    • dimebag russell 20.1
      20 June 2014 at 7:56 pm

      proof?

    • Lanthanide 20.2
      20 June 2014 at 8:43 pm

      Er, no, the donors who wanted to stay anonymous had their donations refunded, thus they are no longer donors.

      • karol 20.2.1
        20 June 2014 at 8:52 pm

        So if Liu was one of those donors, why would he have wanted to keep his donation secret?

    • David H 20.3
      21 June 2014 at 4:07 pm

      Link? or are you just typing one handed yet again Fizzy? it’s a wonder your keyboard works, what with all the drool and all that.

  21. karol 21
    20 June 2014 at 7:38 pm

    So now Stuff is now reporting a rumour of a 3 figure donation from Liu to Labour, as indicated in an affidavit that lacks documentation…. hmmmm. Doesn’t sound very strong evidence of anything untoward to me.

  22. gobsmacked 22
    20 June 2014 at 7:43 pm

    The lesson for Labour – and any other parties on the left – is to be much, much smarter.

    If you get a big donation from Glenn or Liu or SkyCity or whoever, make sure two things are public … who, and how much. No exceptions, ever.

    Yes, ideally they wouldn’t take the cash at all, but that’s not realistic until political funding is changed.

    Just be upfront. Everyone knows Kim Dotcom is stumping up the cash for his party, it’s all out there, and people can think whatever they like. The Greens had a big donation from Philip Mills – again, public knowledge, no issue.

    Just say to every would-be donor “We will make public your name and amount”. Problem solved.

    Otherwise you’re relying on rich manipulative bastards being loyal to the party’s interests, not their own. How stupid is that?

    • Colonial Viper 22.1
      21 June 2014 at 12:18 am

      I suggest a level playing field for all – anonymous donations permitted only up to say $1000 or $5000 per election per entity

  23. ianmac 23
    20 June 2014 at 10:12 pm

    Strange that a Prime Minister wallows in rumour and gossip. Strange? More tawdry really.

  24. Lanthanide 24
    20 June 2014 at 11:04 pm

    @ Lynn: in-thread reply seems to have been broken on this post. My reply above at 11:03pm is supposed to be in reply to CV at 10:53pm. I’ve tried 3 times but it keeps dumping it down at the bottom of the list.

    • lprent 24.1
      20 June 2014 at 11:48 pm

      Ok. I’ll run the database cleanup to see what has broken.

    • lprent 24.2
      21 June 2014 at 12:17 am

      Ok. that looks like it is fixed.

      A comment was put into trash using the late edit, and a reply was added to it later (that is the problem with having a long edit). There is a periodic cleanup routine that is meant to fix those. But it didn’t see this one.

      That of course busted the threaded display – which is a whole separate problem.

      I look a backup of the db, so I will try to track it down later and put kill the bug in the comment_cleanup

  25. Jrobin 25
    20 June 2014 at 11:17 pm

    Re looking stupid John Key has just surpassed any internationally embarrassing moment so far. His gob smacked look when he became the first war monger on the block to support air strikes on Iraq by US has to be seen to be believed. I wondered for a moment if I had gone to sleep and it was satire byJono and Ben but no, welcome to my nightmare this is our Prime Minister. I’d love to know what Helen Clark thinks of this farce. oh the shame, what an amateur, but not to worry John the corrupt media here will mostly let you off again.

    • David H 25.1
      21 June 2014 at 5:10 pm

      I noticed that segment on the PHenry show but there don’t seem to be an on demand. And that look? Priceless. It was one of those ‘what the fark is going on’ looks.

    • ffloyd 25.2
      21 June 2014 at 8:30 pm

      Jrobin. What was that about? Didn’t see it.

  26. karol 26
    20 June 2014 at 11:33 pm

    No, John’s confused his Liu’s.

  27. upandcomer 27
    21 June 2014 at 6:53 am

    This is classic. So after Mike Williams says, er um we might of lost the bits of paper and dos crashed, but he was at all our fundraisers, that’s ‘proof’ of sth other then Labour needing an audit? Cunliffe and the other shills relentlessly went on their ocd nitpicks and blow ups and sleaze fests over minutiae for months. It takes some kind of balls and dissonance to be that lacking in perspective that when you’re caught out in blatant hypocrisy and deceit, and an excuse you didn’t afford the ppl you smeared, you accuse everyone but yourself of being nasty?! It’s a shambles. Who can trust anything Labour says now, if you ever could anyway.

  28. freedom 28
    21 June 2014 at 7:54 am

    “But Liu said he would not make any further comments about political donations or swear an affidavit outlining dollar amounts.”

    Key better have some really good cards in his hand, because his ace has slipped from his sleeve
    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11278520

    • David H 28.1
      21 June 2014 at 5:13 pm

      Really that’s not what this says…

      “It is understood the affidavit was being pored over by lawyers today because there was a lack of documentation.”

      http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/10183370/Labour-cash-probed

      • ianmac 28.1.1
        21 June 2014 at 5:20 pm

        No one is sure which lawyers were poring David. Anyway the up shot is that Mr Liu will not be doing anything further and he is rather disappointed that his donations are being used to score political points. I guess he must be a bit pissed off at his mate Key then.
        And no money? This just makes Key look stupid and strengthens the bad view we have on someone who deals in rumour and gossip.

      • freedom 28.1.2
        22 June 2014 at 9:05 am

        The info in your quote was Friday, my quote info was Saturday

        Perhaps you were confused about which lawyers had the paperwork. In my understanding of the information, Liu’s lawyers obviously were premature mentioning an affidavit they now will not release.

        On Saturday Liu’s statement is no affidavit, no more comments, no figures, no dates

  29. Philj 29
    21 June 2014 at 3:15 pm

    xox
    I blame the greens for this entire mess! If they were in government none.of this would have happened./ sarc.

  30. Blackcap 30
    22 June 2014 at 7:55 am

    It seems the 15,000 isn’t true at all. A zero was missed off the end.

    • karol 30.1
      22 June 2014 at 7:58 am

      Still looking for documentation as evidence of this. The NZ Herald today is presumably using the affidavit by Liu that lawyers seem to have rejected for lacking supporting documentation.

      Show me the evidence of things Liu is claiming?

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    1 week ago
  • Tobacco First

    Save some money, get rich and old, bring it back to Tobacco Road.Bring that dynamite and a crane, blow it up, start all over again.Roll up. Roll up. Or tailor made, if you prefer...Whether you’re selling ciggies, digging for gold, catching dolphins in your nets, or encouraging folks to flutter ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • Trump’s Adopted Son.

    Waiting In The Wings: For truly, if Trump is America’s un-assassinated Caesar, then J.D. Vance is America’s Octavian, the Republic’s youthful undertaker – and its first Emperor.DONALD TRUMP’S SELECTION of James D. Vance as his running-mate bodes ill for the American republic. A fervent supporter of Viktor Orban, the “illiberal” prime ...
    Bowalley Road
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Friday, July 19

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Friday, July 19, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:The PSA announced the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) had ruled in the PSA’s favour in its case against the Ministry ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago

  • Joint statement from the Prime Ministers of Canada, Australia and New Zealand

    Australia, Canada and New Zealand today issued the following statement on the need for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza and the risk of expanded conflict between Hizballah and Israel. The situation in Gaza is catastrophic. The human suffering is unacceptable. It cannot continue.  We remain unequivocal in our condemnation of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    17 hours ago
  • AG reminds institutions of legal obligations

    Attorney-General Judith Collins today reminded all State and faith-based institutions of their legal obligation to preserve records relevant to the safety and wellbeing of those in its care. “The Abuse in Care Inquiry’s report has found cases where records of the most vulnerable people in State and faith‑based institutions were ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    20 hours ago
  • More young people learning about digital safety

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Government’s online safety website for children and young people has reached one million page views.  “It is great to see so many young people and their families accessing the site Keep It Real Online to learn how to stay safe online, and manage ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    21 hours ago
  • Speech to the Conference for General Practice 2024

    Tēnā tātou katoa,  Ngā mihi te rangi, ngā mihi te whenua, ngā mihi ki a koutou, kia ora mai koutou. Thank you for the opportunity to be here and the invitation to speak at this 50th anniversary conference. I acknowledge all those who have gone before us and paved the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    23 hours ago
  • Employers and payroll providers ready for tax changes

    New Zealand’s payroll providers have successfully prepared to ensure 3.5 million individuals will, from Wednesday next week, be able to keep more of what they earn each pay, says Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Revenue Minister Simon Watts.  “The Government's tax policy changes are legally effective from Wednesday. Delivering this tax ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Experimental vineyard futureproofs wine industry

    An experimental vineyard which will help futureproof the wine sector has been opened in Blenheim by Associate Regional Development Minister Mark Patterson. The covered vineyard, based at the New Zealand Wine Centre – Te Pokapū Wāina o Aotearoa, enables controlled environmental conditions. “The research that will be produced at the Experimental ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Funding confirmed for regions affected by North Island Weather Events

    The Coalition Government has confirmed the indicative regional breakdown of North Island Weather Event (NIWE) funding for state highway recovery projects funded through Budget 2024, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Regions in the North Island suffered extensive and devastating damage from Cyclone Gabrielle and the 2023 Auckland Anniversary Floods, and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Indonesian Foreign Minister to visit

    Indonesia’s Foreign Minister, Retno Marsudi, will visit New Zealand next week, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.   “Indonesia is important to New Zealand’s security and economic interests and is our closest South East Asian neighbour,” says Mr Peters, who is currently in Laos to engage with South East Asian partners. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Strengthening partnership with Ngāti Maniapoto

    He aha te kai a te rangatira? He kōrero, he kōrero, he kōrero. The government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the aspirations of Ngāti Maniapoto, Minister for Māori Development Tama Potaka says. “My thanks to Te Nehenehenui Trust – Ngāti Maniapoto for bringing their important kōrero to a ministerial ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Transport Minister thanks outgoing CAA Chair

    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has thanked outgoing Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority, Janice Fredric, for her service to the board.“I have received Ms Fredric’s resignation from the role of Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority,” Mr Brown says.“On behalf of the Government, I want to thank Ms Fredric for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Test for Customary Marine Title being restored

    The Government is proposing legislation to overturn a Court of Appeal decision and amend the Marine and Coastal Area Act in order to restore Parliament’s test for Customary Marine Title, Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith says.  “Section 58 required an applicant group to prove they have exclusively used and occupied ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Opposition united in bad faith over ECE sector review

    Regulation Minister David Seymour says that opposition parties have united in bad faith, opposing what they claim are ‘dangerous changes’ to the Early Childhood Education sector, despite no changes even being proposed yet.  “Issues with affordability and availability of early childhood education, and the complexity of its regulation, has led ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Kiwis having their say on first regulatory review

    After receiving more than 740 submissions in the first 20 days, Regulation Minister David Seymour is asking the Ministry for Regulation to extend engagement on the early childhood education regulation review by an extra two weeks.  “The level of interest has been very high, and from the conversations I’ve been ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government upgrading Lower North Island commuter rail

    The Coalition Government is investing $802.9 million into the Wairarapa and Manawatū rail lines as part of a funding agreement with the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA), KiwiRail, and the Greater Wellington and Horizons Regional Councils to deliver more reliable services for commuters in the lower North Island, Transport Minister Simeon ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government moves to ensure flood protection for Wairoa

    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced his intention to appoint a Crown Manager to both Hawke’s Bay Regional and Wairoa District Councils to speed up the delivery of flood protection work in Wairoa."Recent severe weather events in Wairoa this year, combined with damage from Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023 have ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • PM speech to Parliament – Royal Commission of Inquiry’s Report into Abuse in Care

    Mr Speaker, this is a day that many New Zealanders who were abused in State care never thought would come. It’s the day that this Parliament accepts, with deep sorrow and regret, the Report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care.  At the heart of this report are the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government acknowledges torture at Lake Alice

    For the first time, the Government is formally acknowledging some children and young people at Lake Alice Psychiatric Hospital experienced torture. The final report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith-based Care “Whanaketia – through pain and trauma, from darkness to light,” was tabled in Parliament ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government acknowledges courageous abuse survivors

    The Government has acknowledged the nearly 2,400 courageous survivors who shared their experiences during the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State and Faith-Based Care. The final report from the largest and most complex public inquiry ever held in New Zealand, the Royal Commission Inquiry “Whanaketia – through ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Half a million people use tax calculator

    With a week to go before hard-working New Zealanders see personal income tax relief for the first time in fourteen years, 513,000 people have used the Budget tax calculator to see how much they will benefit, says Finance Minister Nicola Willis.  “Tax relief is long overdue. From next Wednesday, personal income ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Paid Parental Leave improvements pass first reading

    Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden says a bill that has passed its first reading will improve parental leave settings and give non-biological parents more flexibility as primary carer for their child. The Regulatory Systems Amendment Bill (No3), passed its first reading this morning. “It includes a change ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Rebuilding the economy through better regulation

    Two Bills designed to improve regulation and make it easier to do business have passed their first reading in Parliament, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. The Regulatory Systems (Economic Development) Amendment Bill and Regulatory Systems (Immigration and Workforce) Amendment Bill make key changes to legislation administered by the Ministry ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • ‘Open banking’ and ‘open electricity’ on the way

    New legislation paves the way for greater competition in sectors such as banking and electricity, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says. “Competitive markets boost productivity, create employment opportunities and lift living standards. To support competition, we need good quality regulation but, unfortunately, a recent OECD report ranked New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Charity lotteries to be permitted to operate online

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says lotteries for charitable purposes, such as those run by the Heart Foundation, Coastguard NZ, and local hospices, will soon be allowed to operate online permanently. “Under current laws, these fundraising lotteries are only allowed to operate online until October 2024, after which ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Accelerating Northland Expressway

    The Coalition Government is accelerating work on the new four-lane expressway between Auckland and Whangārei as part of its Roads of National Significance programme, with an accelerated delivery model to deliver this project faster and more efficiently, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “For too long, the lack of resilient transport connections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Sir Don to travel to Viet Nam as special envoy

    Sir Don McKinnon will travel to Viet Nam this week as a Special Envoy of the Government, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.    “It is important that the Government give due recognition to the significant contributions that General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong made to New Zealand-Viet Nam relations,” Mr ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Grant Illingworth KC appointed as transitional Commissioner to Royal Commission

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says newly appointed Commissioner, Grant Illingworth KC, will help deliver the report for the first phase of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into COVID-19 Lessons, due on 28 November 2024.  “I am pleased to announce that Mr Illingworth will commence his appointment as ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • NZ to advance relationships with ASEAN partners

    Foreign Minister Winston Peters travels to Laos this week to participate in a series of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-led Ministerial meetings in Vientiane.    “ASEAN plays an important role in supporting a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific,” Mr Peters says.   “This will be our third visit to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Backing mental health services on the West Coast

    Construction of a new mental health facility at Te Nikau Grey Hospital in Greymouth is today one step closer, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says. “This $27 million facility shows this Government is delivering on its promise to boost mental health care and improve front line services,” Mr Doocey says. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • NZ support for sustainable Pacific fisheries

    New Zealand is committing nearly $50 million to a package supporting sustainable Pacific fisheries development over the next four years, Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones announced today. “This support consisting of a range of initiatives demonstrates New Zealand’s commitment to assisting our Pacific partners ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Students’ needs at centre of new charter school adjustments

    Associate Education Minister David Seymour says proposed changes to the Education and Training Amendment Bill will ensure charter schools have more flexibility to negotiate employment agreements and are equipped with the right teaching resources. “Cabinet has agreed to progress an amendment which means unions will not be able to initiate ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Commissioner replaces Health NZ Board

    In response to serious concerns around oversight, overspend and a significant deterioration in financial outlook, the Board of Health New Zealand will be replaced with a Commissioner, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti announced today.  “The previous government’s botched health reforms have created significant financial challenges at Health NZ that, without ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Minister to speak at Australian Space Forum

    Minister for Space and Science, Innovation and Technology Judith Collins will travel to Adelaide tomorrow for space and science engagements, including speaking at the Australian Space Forum.  While there she will also have meetings and visits with a focus on space, biotechnology and innovation.  “New Zealand has a thriving space ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Climate Change Minister to attend climate action meeting in China

    Climate Change Minister Simon Watts will travel to China on Saturday to attend the Ministerial on Climate Action meeting held in Wuhan.  “Attending the Ministerial on Climate Action is an opportunity to advocate for New Zealand climate priorities and engage with our key partners on climate action,” Mr Watts says. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Oceans and Fisheries Minister to Solomons

    Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is travelling to the Solomon Islands tomorrow for meetings with his counterparts from around the Pacific supporting collective management of the region’s fisheries. The 23rd Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Committee and the 5th Regional Fisheries Ministers’ Meeting in Honiara from 23 to 26 July ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Government launches Military Style Academy Pilot

    The Government today launched the Military Style Academy Pilot at Te Au rere a te Tonga Youth Justice residence in Palmerston North, an important part of the Government’s plan to crackdown on youth crime and getting youth offenders back on track, Minister for Children, Karen Chhour said today. “On the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Nine priority bridge replacements to get underway

    The Government has welcomed news the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has begun work to replace nine priority bridges across the country to ensure our state highway network remains resilient, reliable, and efficient for road users, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“Increasing productivity and economic growth is a key priority for the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Update on global IT outage

    Acting Prime Minister David Seymour has been in contact throughout the evening with senior officials who have coordinated a whole of government response to the global IT outage and can provide an update. The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet has designated the National Emergency Management Agency as the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • New Zealand, Japan renew Pacific partnership

    New Zealand and Japan will continue to step up their shared engagement with the Pacific, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “New Zealand and Japan have a strong, shared interest in a free, open and stable Pacific Islands region,” Mr Peters says.    “We are pleased to be finding more ways ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • New infrastructure energises BOP forestry towns

    New developments in the heart of North Island forestry country will reinvigorate their communities and boost economic development, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones visited Kaingaroa and Kawerau in Bay of Plenty today to open a landmark community centre in the former and a new connecting road in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • 'Pacific Futures'

    President Adeang, fellow Ministers, honourable Diet Member Horii, Ambassadors, distinguished guests.    Minasama, konnichiwa, and good afternoon, everyone.    Distinguished guests, it’s a pleasure to be here with you today to talk about New Zealand’s foreign policy reset, the reasons for it, the values that underpin it, and how it ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

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