Key should apologise to Tania Billingsley and Slater should be ashamed

Written By: - Date published: 9:24 am, December 6th, 2015 - 72 comments
Categories: john key, national, you couldn't make this shit up - Tags: , , ,

Tania Billingsley

Details about the behaviour of the Malaysian Diplomat who fled the country earlier this year after being charged with attempted sexual violation and after invoking diplomatic immunity are now being revealed in Court.  And they are somewhat bizarre to put it mildly.

The Herald in this article reported on evidence adduced during the recent disputed facts hearing.  Mr Rizalman had previously pleaded guilty to a charge of indecent assault and charges of attempted sexual violation and burglary were discharged.

During the disputed facts hearing it emerged:

  • Mr Rizalman had a week before the incident purchased high strength synthetic cannabis and he admitted to smoking cannabis at the time.
  • He could not remember asking two young women who worked in the shop selling synthetic cannabis out for a drink or trying to touch one of their shoulders or being escorted out of the shop.
  • He previously denied smoking cannabis to the Malaysian authorities after he was admitted to a psychiatric hospital for treatment.
  • He believed in black magic and had thought that a superior officer had put a spell on him.
  • The day before the incident another young woman had complained that he had been tailing her and had tried to persuade her to get into his car.
  • He initially claimed to the police that he had watched a movie with Ms Billingsley and had shared a meal with her but admitted in Court that this not correct and that he was “confused”.
  • He admitted deffacating outside Ms Billingsley’s flat but denied that it was an attempt to cast a black magic spell on her to make her fall in love wih him.
  • He initially told the police that he had been invited to Ms Billingsley’s home but admitted under cross examination that her mannerisms and her smiling at him were what had made him think that he had been invited to her home.

The case is to conclude next week.  Clearly though Mr Rizalman’s attraction to Ms Billingsley was never reciprocated and her complaint was completely justified.

There are some significant political issues at play.  John Key’s and the Government’s refusal to apologise to Tania Billingsley and the way that the Government has handled the diplomatic immunity aspect of the case both reflect poorly on the Government.

As to the apology this is what a previous Radio New Zealand report said:

But on Monday, Mr Key refused to apologise to Ms Billingsley, who by then had made her name public, because he said he only made apologies if there was a serious reason for him to do so.

On Tuesday, he had another reason for not saying sorry. “Because I think the Government has apologised. Both the minister and the officials have made it quite clear they’re sorry for the incident that’s taken place in the way that person left the country. I think that’s wholly appropriate.

“But in the end, I think what’s far more important is that there is a proper inquiry – that’s what the victim in this circumstance deserves and that’s what she’s going to get.

“What’s far more important now, actually, is that the independent inquiry that’s been established and will be run by (former Treasury Secretary) John Whitehead actually gets to the bottom of all of the unanswered questions there.”

Publication of the report has been delayed because of the trial.  Given that the matter is now being considered by a Judge and not a jury and given that the report is now 12 months old it is difficult to understand why there is any further delay in releasing it.

And as this editorial from today’s Herald notes Murray McCully’s role will be put under the spotlight as soon as the report is released.  A public servant has taken the blame for the botched application of diplomatic immunity.  But you have to wonder why McCully was not alerted to the issue from the start.  After all an allegation that a Malaysian Diplomat had been charged with attempted sexual violation should have had alarm bells ringing very loudly.

The editorial notes:

A single email is at the heart of the report into the Malaysian diplomat botch-up, according to McCully.

McCully faced calls to resign over the case but refused and had the Prime Minister’s backing.

Exactly what that email is and what its contents are has not been made public.

However, an email sent to McCully’s office on May 22 last year – the day Rizalman flew back to Malaysia – remained unopened for several weeks.

The best possible spin that could be put on this is that McCully’s office is utterly incompetent.

And Cameron Slater?  His treatment of Ms Billingsley has been disgusting.  There are 26 posts where her name has been tagged.  Post after post attempted to denigrate and malign her and tried to show that her complaint was part of some sort of political conspiracy.   The stuff he wrote about her was horrendous.  Now that the truth is coming out he looks like a pillock.

It is interesting that he started his crusade at the time, pre dirty politics, where his powers of intimidation were at their peak.

In one post he said:

The truth will be much closer to an existing relationship that was strained and where Muhammad Rizalman bin Ismail misunderstood his place within it.

Boy was he wrong.

I suspect the Government will be planning a pre christmas release of the review of the invocation of diplomatic immunity.  And hoping that no one notices.

 

72 comments on “Key should apologise to Tania Billingsley and Slater should be ashamed ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Maria Sherwood 1
    6 December 2015 at 9:32 am

    Slater has continued with his ‘view’s’ that they had an on-going relationship, in a post 2 days ago.

    • mickysavage 1.1
      6 December 2015 at 9:42 am

      I wonder what information he is relying on? Maybe the diplomat’s statement to the police?

      • Wainwright 1.1.1
        6 December 2015 at 10:53 am

        He doesn’t need information. The point is to get his army of trolls to smear her in every comments section from Stuff to 3News. And they don’t need proof.

        • Tautuhi 1.1.1.1
          6 December 2015 at 1:52 pm

          When you read the book Dirty Politics you will understand Slater’s modus operandi, his rational is once it is in MSM and is being discussed the damage has been done, doesn’t matter whether the facts are right or wrong. That is why the Nats have used him in their smear campaigns on opponents or organisations they disagree with.

        • Lara 1.1.1.2
          6 December 2015 at 3:09 pm

          And this kind of behaviour is why women in NZ do not make complaints of rape or sexual violation in so many cases. Because we know those around us will behave pretty much like Slater is behaving. Because we know we shall be assumed to be lying as a default and we will be held up to intense scrutiny, while the perpetrator is not.

    • Draco T Bastard 1.2
      6 December 2015 at 6:43 pm

      Wouldn’t that come under the new anti-bullying (digital law) that the government passed?

  2. Gangnam Style 2
    6 December 2015 at 9:33 am

    Interesting revisiting this, can easily see the Whaleoil stooges http://thestandard.org.nz/just-say-sorry-john/

  3. Anne 3
    6 December 2015 at 9:42 am

    Post after post attempted to denigrate and malign her and tried to show that her complaint was part of some sort of political conspiracy.

    So, did he get paid to write them – and if so, by whom and how much?

  4. Sanctuary 4
    6 December 2015 at 9:43 am

    We should stop worrying about Slater so much. He is a mad, bad paranoid guy with a sad, sad website that visiting is mainly an exercise in illuminating and dabbling in the hive mind of a particular type of mental illness.

    Like many delusional fantasists he can be very convincing to the gullible and credulous, which lent him a moment in the sun. But he was of course found out, and from that moment his cynical manipulators in the Beehive dropped him like a red-stone stone.

    Key, however has no defense of madness, unless a vast truculent meglomania is a form of mental disorder. He needs to apologise, and McCully needs to resign.

    • RedBaronCV 4.1
      6 December 2015 at 10:26 am

      The complainant is a private citizen who has undergone a particularly nasty experience. To post a string of comments so widely at variance to the facts in court which remain on the internet for ever is not good. We may know the mode of operation of the site but a casual looker doesn’t. Like Anne says, was something driving this?

      • weka 4.1.1
        6 December 2015 at 12:54 pm

        I agree. If Slater was writing as part of his DP job, that’s of concern to the public.

        And even if now he is merely a disgaced loser, he still has influence. That needs to be challenged every time he abuses his power. Doesn’t have to be a big deal in terms of attention, but if he’s being a rape apologist he should be named as such.

        • RedLogix 4.1.1.1
          6 December 2015 at 2:21 pm

          Agreed … as much as every fibre of my instinct wants nothing to do with Slater, collectively we do not have the luxury of ignoring him.

          He has already caused a lot of damage, and will continue to do so until he and his vile band of trolls are so discredited and shamed that they have no power to cause harm anymore.

          Fortunately some of us like Lynn are less squeamish than I am, and I’m very glad he done the job for us. And that he’s done it on behalf of one of this site’s most trenchant critics is even more worthy of note.

          • RedBaronCV 4.1.1.1.1
            6 December 2015 at 3:25 pm

            I have wondered since these are criminal proceedings where the court could be asked for some redress against some of the more slanderous memes out there. Not quite sure how that woud be done though without infringing other commentary??

          • Anne 4.1.1.1.2
            6 December 2015 at 3:35 pm

            And that he’s done it on behalf of one of this site’s most trenchant critics is even more worthy of note.

            Indeed it is. Congrats to Lynn Prentice.

            I’ve referred here before to my experiences at the hands of someone whose M.O. was very similar to Slater’s. The only differences: the person was a “she” and the times were pre-blogosphere, so her communications were conducted through more conventional channels.

            The damage that woman caused over a very long period was immeasurable and included among her ‘victims’ were some well known former political personalities. She succeeded for so long because nobody would take the the matter seriously. I approached the police over incidents relating to me on five occasions and also to other authoritative bodies at different times. I was largely ignored.

            Slater and his band of trolls will continue causing mayhem until their machinations are taken seriously and they are finally exposed for everyone to see. Nothing less will stop them.

    • North 4.2
      6 December 2015 at 5:08 pm

      Perfectly said Sanctuary !

      • weston 4.2.1
        6 December 2015 at 6:57 pm

        not quite perfect north jason ede might have slipped away after the event but key was still in contact with slater well down the track from then in fact questions were asked in parliment about txts key made to slater forcing him to reach for another of his “hats ” remember ? I havnt seen any evidence that would convince me slater is no longer a merchant for hire

    • gnomic 4.3
      7 December 2015 at 12:43 am

      ‘Key, however has no defense of madness, unless a vast truculent megalomania is a form of mental disorder. He needs to apologise, and McCully needs to resign.”

      Think I am admiring your work. ‘Vast truculent megalomania’. Not sure this is in the textbooks but it sounds good. I suspect though that the smirking/scowling weasel is a bit batshit. Just my intuition. Or perhaps just a deep innner vacuity?

      Key apologise? Why not harakiri in recompense for his manifold mistakes and amorality? Or just resign and move to Hawaii, forget the knighthood? After all encouraging suicide is non-PC.

      Who is this Muzza McCully of whom you speak? Well past the use by surely?

  5. Penny Bright 5
    6 December 2015 at 9:45 am

    “A single email is at the heart of the report into the Malaysian diplomat botch-up, according to McCully.

    McCully faced calls to resign over the case but refused and had the Prime Minister’s backing.

    Exactly what that email is and what its contents are has not been made public.”

    Where’s the ‘transparency’ ?

    “Nothing to hide – nothing to fear” – sort of thing?

    Publish this email and release the Whitehead report.

    Penny Bright

    • pipalbany 5.1
      6 December 2015 at 12:16 pm

      [RL: Deleted. Off topic.]

      • Neil 5.1.1
        6 December 2015 at 1:19 pm

        Penny’s not paying rates has nothing to do with what this article is about. Your comment is an epic fail.

    • Chooky 5.2
      6 December 2015 at 1:24 pm

      +100 Penny…yes what are they hiding?

    • Matthew Whitehead 5.3
      6 December 2015 at 5:55 pm

      Hey Penny,

      I can’t talk too much on this (as my father is the one who’s doing the report and I don’t want to compromise anything he’s told me in confidence) but it sounds like what you’re quoting doesn’t have any glaring errors. If I recall correctly, the report is complete but is under embargo due to its relation to the court proceedings.

      It’s out of his hands when it’s released as the embargo needs to be cleared by the govt first.

    • GregJ 6.1
      6 December 2015 at 11:01 am

      Yeah thanks – Key will never apologise for anything. I don’t think he thinks he makes any mistakes. I’m beginning to think he genuinely believes his own shit smells sweet.

        • Pat 6.1.1.1
          6 December 2015 at 12:46 pm

          “Despite this, Key has been forced to say sorry to Slater and Key’s office has confirmed: “The Prime Minister recently wrote to Mr Slater to apologise.”

          But he stood by his actions. “The Prime Minister believes, however, it was in the public interest to release the email in question publicly,” a spokeswoman said.”

          • emergency mike 6.1.1.1.1
            6 December 2015 at 1:05 pm

            https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antisocial_personality_disorder

            Is closer imo. Though there are overlapping features.

            • Pat 6.1.1.1.1.1
              6 December 2015 at 1:14 pm

              hmmmm…id still plump for the former though is there any reason he couldn’t be both?Perhaps a professional opinion….feel sure there will be someone suitably qualified on here…though likely unwilling to diagnose without direct examination.

              • emergency mike …
                6 December 2015 at 8:14 pm

                Yes they can be both, but the truly narcissistic type tends to have an openly vain, brash, self-aggrandizing, bullying, boastful demeanour, (I’m looking at you Donald Trump), that I don’t quite see in Key, not openly anyway. He’s gone for the ‘relaxed, modest kiwi bloke’ persona, and it has served him well.

                As I said there’s plenty of overlap, both can be arrogant, manipulative, lack empathy, deceitful, and say and do strikingly inappropriate things. But the narcissist doesn’t much feel the need to hide their arrogant arsehole personality, because they are just so massively awesome that everyone should bow down and admire them or else they are unworthy idiots.

                But the antisocial, having a bit more intelligence and/or self-awareness, sees that it is counterproductive to their goals to show their true personality to the world. They find a more socially acceptable front for public display. Thus making them more effective manipulators, a skill they are unusually good at. The narcissist seeks, and expects, to be adored and admired, the antisocial seeks, and enjoys, power and manipulation of others. Which can look quite similar.

                Also note, that narcissists are often useful idiots for an antisocial. Since, despite themselves being manipulative pricks, they are themselves easily manipulated. They just need to hear that the antisocial has the power to give them want they want: to be worshiped for their obvious awesomeness. Then they will do as they are told until they are no longer required, poor Cameron. Easy pickings.

                Key doesn’t want to apologize to Tania Billingsly not because he is, like a narcissist, never wrong, but because he thinks it won’t look good to his core supporters to back down. If he thought that it would be good for him to do so, he’d pull out a lovely apology with shiny bells on and Mike Hosking and the Herald would rave on about what a great guy he is for doing so. To an antisocial words are just things you say that make people do what you want. Truth, lies, threats, bullying, insults, sincerity, grovelling, whatever works. They don’t have any shame.

                Just an armchair opinion of course.

                • Pat …
                  6 December 2015 at 8:51 pm

                  just an armchair opinion of course…..not a couch?

                  You make a persuasive case but I have trouble seeing Key fulfilling numbers A)1, 3,4 and 6.

                  • emergency mike …
                    6 December 2015 at 11:49 pm

                    Note that in A) only three of the seven listed traits are required. Plus I think Key can be impulsive, e.g. repeatedly pulling a waitresses hair. However I’ve got no particular evidence for C).

                    I also feel the DSM-IV definition, (and the DSM-V didn’t change much here), is significantly out of date. A lot of research has been done since then to indicate that the definition is too narrow, again imo.

                    Of course it’s not possible to make a real diagnosis from one’s armchair. You really do need the couch. All we know about Key is what he allows the media to see. That’s only enough for speculation.

                    How about ‘asshole’? Let’s shake hands and agree on that.

                    • Pat …
                      7 December 2015 at 12:02 am

                      no denying the impulsiveness…had been focusing on the “failure to plan ahead”……arsehole it is

                    • emergency mike …
                      7 December 2015 at 1:02 am

                      “impulsivity or failure to plan ahead”

                      Or.

                    • Pat …
                      7 December 2015 at 8:25 am

                      lol…yes saw the “or”….curious feature, the two though related are not mutually exclusive I would have thought, …..and the impulsivity may be aberrant, which therefore may be all the more revealing…..who knows.

                    • Pat …
                      9 December 2015 at 7:11 pm

                      Keys apology today would appear to support your pick of disorder over mine.

                • Anne …
                  6 December 2015 at 9:33 pm

                  Just an armchair opinion of course.

                  A highly informed “armchair opinion”. Thank-you for that Emergency Mike. I have a vague recollection you alluded to your professional knowledge of this subject once before.

                  I used to know someone who falls into the ASPD category. They are indeed intelligent and know how to manipulate individuals without the ‘individuals’ even knowing they are being manipulated. It worked a treat on me until one day the truth dawned… and from that eureka moment I saw through everything that person did or said but person never knew it. Boot changed foot. 🙂

                  I think you are right about Key having at least some of the ASPD traits, but it takes the development of a certain type of mindset before it becomes possible for people to be able to see it. There are many who will never see it of course – Mike Hosking for example?

                  • emergency mike …
                    6 December 2015 at 11:20 pm

                    Ah Mike Hosking, now there’s a useful narcissistic idiot.

                    Not professional, but I have a degree in psychology and recently spent more than a year reading everything on psychopathy.

                    Good story Anne, that’s the thing about antisocials & psychopaths, they are brilliant manipulators, right up until you see them for what they are. Then the curtain falls, and their power is gone. Hopefully by then they haven’t destroyed your life, or your country.

                    • RedLogix …
                      6 December 2015 at 11:51 pm

                      Thanks EM. I found that interesting as well.

                    • One Anonymous Bloke …
                      7 December 2015 at 6:50 am

                      Surely before postulating a whole bunch of alleged psychological conditions, Psychology has to address its massive credibility problems.

                      Otherwise how do you tell wheat from chaff?

                    • Anne …
                      7 December 2015 at 2:14 pm

                      Hi emergency mike.
                      Just seen your response. The “person” in my comment was a member of the Labour Party between 1975 and 1990. That person – together with an accomplice – came close to destroying the reputations of several politicians and other individuals. The covert nature of their [criminal] activity meant they were not identified at the time and so were never brought to justice.

  7. Penny Bright 7
    6 December 2015 at 10:17 am

    A rather spectacular 180 degree ‘U turn’ by Cameron Slater on the (former) Malaysian diplomat / Tania Billingsley matter?

    HOW THE HELL DOES SOMEONE LIKE THAT MAKE IT INTO A DIPLOMATIC POST?
    by Cameron Slater on December 5, 2015 at 4:00pm
    ……..

    If this is synthetic cannabis related, then Peter Dunne has got another trophy for his wall. What an omnishambles that turned into. But it seems to me the guy was seriously unstable anyway, a creep, and a pest to women in general.

    He should be locked away, and when his sentence finishes, deported the same day.

    __________________________________________________
    MUHAMMAD RIZALMAN BIN ISMAIL’S ACTUAL ACTIONS TO BE REVEALED IN COURT

    by Cameron Slater on December 4, 2015 at 1:00pm

    The man that was tried and convicted by Jan Logie and Mediaworks plead guilty to a lesser charge on Monday, but the court is still in the dark as to what happened.

    …..
    Here’s something that we have never seen written in public before:

    Charges of intent to commit sexual violation and burglary against Rizalman were dropped after the prosecution offered no evidence.

    Keep in mind that all the other interested blogs and media were pitching it as a failed rape for months. But now the prosecution isn’t able to even back it up for an intent to commit sexual violation to stand up. Worse, emotive “grabbing by the throat” is disputed with “grabbed by shoulders/arms”.

    This is the very information I’ve been insisting we would need to wait for before making any kind of decision about this case.

    I still believe the two knew each other. This wasn’t a random attack. He may have been at her place many times before. He may in fact have had a relationship of sorts with her before. He may in fact have been in the process of playing a silly prank which would have worked out just fine had the relationship been up to it. Instead, it caused a spectacular backfire. ….
    ______________________________________________________

    When is Cameron Slater going to apologise to Tania Billingsley?

    Penny Bright

  8. savenz 8
    6 December 2015 at 10:43 am

    Shocking.

    John Key’s and McCully’s misogyny is becoming more and more apparent.

    They should be run out of parliament!

    Typical they support a drug addled attempted rapist Malaysian diplomat instead of a citizen of NZ!

  9. Ffloyd 9
    6 December 2015 at 11:12 am

    Where IS Mccully??

  10. reason 10
    6 December 2015 at 1:00 pm

    BM, John, Puckish Rogue and Slylands ………………. are the physical real life examples of NZ rape culture.

    John Key promoted Mike Sabin …………………….

    Women visitors to our country may be liable to be sexually assaulted by our customs officials if the are here to visit the ‘wrong’ people ( KDC ) …………….

    Roastbusters face no search warrants, no seized computers/cell phones and no charges …………

    Key should be resigning as his apology …………………….

    But he’s quite comfortable and will just project his own values onto others ..” you support the rapists and the murderers” ………………

  11. Chooky 11
    6 December 2015 at 1:20 pm

    This is related to the Post as a background in context…on the misogyny of the Right wing in USA…but I would think it would also apply to the new far Right in New Zealand which has links to the far right in USA…in other words New Zealand women’s rights are under threat by the right wing

    https://www.rt.com/shows/big-picture/324219-bernie-obama-presidential-elections/

    amongst other things… “…Thom discusses how the Republican Party promotes misogyny in America…

  12. Penny Bright 12
    6 December 2015 at 1:26 pm

    te reo putake – don’t you agree that Cameron Slater should apologise to Tania Billinsley?

    Yes – I often post similar material on more than one place.

    Any law against that?

    Why are you ‘thread-jacking’ (again)?

    I am ‘on topic’ – why aren’t you?

    Penny Bright

    2016 Auckland Mayoral candidate.

  13. Hi Vis. 13
    6 December 2015 at 2:37 pm

    The ” key ” issue here is the PM’s position on his treatment of women.
    Smart and successful as he thinks he is, his consistent behaviour of disrespect may yet be his and his party’s downfall.
    Pull the other pigtail , pull Nonu’s locks
    Mr Prime Minister when you are jock sniffing at the RWC and apologise to the lady , “home invaded” by that Defense Attache.

  14. Leftie 14
    6 December 2015 at 2:47 pm

    Forked tongued John key said he would apologise if he knew the victim’s name, but when she came forward and made her name public, Key refused to apologise, saying “he only made apologies if there was a serious reason for him to do so” which contradicted his earlier statement of “Yes, in so much that I believe that she shouldn’t have had to go through what she went through.”

    PM accused of breaking word

    I reckon John key had a more insidious and cynical reason for his lie of an apology, that led to Tania Billingsley making her name public, as Cam Slater proved in his smear, character assassination campaign against her.

    [Fixed link – MS]

    • anon 14.1
      7 December 2015 at 10:06 am

      As soon as the victim came out in public, she made herself a target for slater, purely because the department had goofed. You can almost be guaranteed if a negative story comes out about this government, the loyal lap-dog slater will come to the rescue and spin the s*** out of the story. Can’t be having any damaging news about our beloved national government after all!

      PS: close your tags (should be words )

      • Leftie 14.1.1
        7 December 2015 at 2:41 pm

        Exactly. key said he would apologise to her if he knew her name, when he had no intention of doing that.
        John Key set Tania Billingsley up. She made her name public because she thought key would apologise. John key purposely made Tania Billingsley a target for Slater & co to publicly smear her.

  15. Leftie 15
    6 December 2015 at 2:56 pm

    Liars John key and Cameron Slater should get some guts and man up and apologise, PUBLICLY. It’s not as if John key doesn’t know the word and it’s meaning, after all, he has apologised to Cam Slater and Dotcom.

  16. Robert Glennie 16
    6 December 2015 at 3:17 pm

    “And Slater should be ashamed”

    Slater has no shame. Anyone who has followed the antics of this guy should know this. How many of you read Hager’s book Dirty Politics? If you did you will know the extent to which Slater will go to in attacking someone.

    If you are expecting him to show remorse, you might win Lotto before then.

    • Tautuhi 16.1
      6 December 2015 at 4:24 pm

      Slater get a buzz out of upsetting people, if you read Hager’s book you will understand how the guy’s mind works.

  17. North 17
    6 December 2015 at 5:33 pm

    The name ‘Slater’ certainly goes round in circles back to whence it came.

  18. Muttonbird 18
    6 December 2015 at 6:02 pm

    I’m stunned Slater would back a Muslim guilty of indecent assault over his young NZ victim.

    Shows where his priorities lie.

    • Lara 18.1
      7 December 2015 at 7:14 am

      She’s a woman. Lowest of the low in the mind of Slater. And many others too in NZ I believe.

      And a woman making a claim of sexual assault or rape? Should be hanged pretty much in their minds. That’s what it looks like anyway.

      This kind of nasty attitude with an assumption that the woman is lying as a default, is actually pretty common in NZ. Maybe not with the extra layer of nastiness that Slater has, but the general attitude that women lie about this kind of thing is prevalent.

  19. Muttonbird 19
    6 December 2015 at 7:02 pm

    Key’s refusal to make good on his governments screw-up of this case by backtracking on an apology is interesting when viewed alongside his statement in parliament that it’s Labour who are siding with rapists.

  20. acrophobic 20
    6 December 2015 at 10:00 pm

    Something in the Herald article about this caught my attention, and that was the way Risalman spoke of how Billingsley had a look in her eyes that he interpreted as ‘come with me’. This man seems to me to be deeply disturbed on so many levels.

    Also this shows up once again the ineptitude of Murray McCully. He and Sam are seriously out of their depth.

  21. rob 21
    7 December 2015 at 8:19 am

    I guess Cameron and Spanish bride and Pete say what every they want in their own echo chamber, but the quality has been way down ever since the dirty politics.

    Most of his posting consist of cutting and pasting some thing from the Herald or Stuff and then adding a few comments around this. Not really original content or thought anymore, but the ramblings of a man lost.

    The saddest thing is he is raising kids with his wife, and their moral code will come off their toxic parents…

  22. Tanz 22
    7 December 2015 at 11:04 am

    good luck at that – Key never apologies for anything, he that can do no wrong!!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • Melissa Lee and the media: ending the quest
    Chris Trotter writes –  MELISSA LEE should be deprived of her ministerial warrant. Her handling – or non-handling – of the crisis engulfing the New Zealand news media has been woeful. The fate of New Zealand’s two linear television networks, a question which the Minister of Broadcasting, Communications ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    23 hours ago

  • The Hoon around the week to April 19
    TL;DR: The podcast above features co-hosts and , along with regular guests Robert Patman on Gaza and AUKUS II, and on climate change.The six things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    23 hours 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
    24 hours 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 ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    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 Step–by–Step 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 third–party applications. So, let‘s dive in and recover those lost calls! 1. Check Recently Deleted Folder: Apple understands that accidental deletions happen. That‘s 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. Here‘s 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. Here‘s how to restore from an iCloud backup: Go to Settings > General > Reset. Choose “Erase All Content and Settings“. Follow the on–screen 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 Third–Party Apps (with Caution): ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    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 ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    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 ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    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 ...
    Skeptical Science
    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 ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    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 ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    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 ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    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 ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    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 ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    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 ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    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 ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    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, ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    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, ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    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 ...
    Open ParachuteBy Ken
    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 ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    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 ...
    Skeptical Science
    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 ...
    Skeptical Science
    4 days ago

  • Apposite Quotations.
    How Long Is Long Enough? Gaza under Israeli bombardment, July 2014. This posting is exclusive to Bowalley Road. ...
    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

  • Long Tunnel or Long Con?
    Yesterday it was revealed that Transport Minister had asked Waka Kotahi to look at the options for a long tunnel through Wellington. State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    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
    1 hour 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
    18 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
    20 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
    20 hours ago

  • Education Minister heads to major teaching summit in Singapore
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  • Anzac commemorations, Türkiye relationship focus of visit
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  • Comprehensive Partnership the goal for NZ and the Philippines
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  • Prime Minister Luxon acknowledges legacy of Singapore Prime Minister Lee
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  • Antarctica New Zealand Board appointments
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