Kim Dotcom to be extradited?

Written By: - Date published: 3:57 pm, December 23rd, 2015 - 184 comments
Categories: Globalisation, us politics - Tags:

Judge Nevin Dawson has ruled that the extradition of Kim Dotcom and his coaccused can proceed.

From the Herald:

Judge Nevin Dawson said there was an “overwhelming” amount of evidence that all four defendants should be surrendered to the US.

Batato’s wife began crying as soon as the decision was released, as did other supporters of the defendants.

Judge Dawson said the men had 15 days within which they could appeal the ruling or make a habeus corpus application.

Crown prosecutor Christine Gordon did not oppose bail for all the men but said the “change of circumstances” should see the conditions of bail reviewed.

She said the men should now be ordered to report to probation every day.
Judge Dawson said he was satisfied the men could be given bail.

Dotcom’s lawyer Ron Mansfield confirmed there would be an appeal lodged over the extradition this afternoon.

If the appeals do not succeed the matter will eventually be considered by the Minister of Justice.

184 comments on “Kim Dotcom to be extradited? ”

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  1. Whispering Kate 1
    23 December 2015 at 4:09 pm

    Poor bastard that’s what I say, for him and his co-accused, whatever you think of the man, to have that decision made for you right on Christmas is awful. To be extradited to the States, well he may as well be handed over to barbarians. The Minister of Justice will have no charity in her heart so its a poor outlook for Mr Kim Dot Com. He brought a bit of fun into the news and I loved it when he told NZ journalists at the Town Hall to literally get off your bums and do your job, at least the man could see corruption and tell it how it was.

    • Kev 1.1
      23 December 2015 at 4:16 pm

      So you think the judge is wrong then?

      • Tiger Mountain 1.1.1
        23 December 2015 at 4:33 pm

        it seems a political more than a legal judgement to me, having followed the case

        the Nats immigration minister over ruled the security reservations on Dotcom and granted him entry, since he has seen Banksie evicted from parliament, the Prime Minister had to publicly apologise to him for illegal spying, Acts pertaining to the GCSB and NZSIS have been changed and Mr Key was shown to be a liar on XKeyscore mass data collection by Edward Snowden, so it would be a brave judge that would rub the Nats and the yanks nose in it again…

      • Paul 1.1.2
        23 December 2015 at 4:36 pm

        This is a political action.
        Our government is beholden to large US corporate interests.

      • Whispering Kate 1.1.3
        23 December 2015 at 4:47 pm

        Kev, there isn’t a judge in the country who would have the courage to give a verdict other than what was handed down. Get in the real world please, we have a nasty under belly in this country and judges are like anybody else , no matter how ethical they are there are decisions that have to be made – of course the whole situation is political, if you can’t see that then your antennae isn’t tuned properly.

        • Kev 1.1.3.1
          23 December 2015 at 4:57 pm

          The judge said there was overwhelming evidence that the accused should be extradited. Even if the US had a gun in the judges back, as you (ridiculously) are trying to suggest, there was no need for him to use the word “overwhelming”. Maybe you need to get in the real world.

          • Whispering Kate 1.1.3.1.1
            23 December 2015 at 5:25 pm

            Who said the US had a gun in his back??

            • Kev 1.1.3.1.1.1
              23 December 2015 at 5:52 pm

              *Sigh* It’s a metaphor for what you’re saying.

              But anyway let’s say the judge decided the extradition shouldn’t go ahead. What do you think would have happened to the judge? Removed from the bench? Visited by the men in black? Shot by the CIA? What?

          • maui 1.1.3.1.2
            23 December 2015 at 7:30 pm

            The judge said there was overwhelming evidence that the accused should be extradited.

            You just repeated what the judge said without saying why the evidence is overwhelming. US copyright expert Lessig says evidence is extremely underwhelming. Do you want to explain why Lessig is wrong perhaps?
            http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11514142

            • George Hendry 1.1.3.1.2.1
              23 December 2015 at 8:09 pm

              From the time of the spectacular overkill paratroop raid there has been overwhelming evidence of how badly Disney & co want to get him and how desperate our PM is to accommodate them.

              If the judge failed to give such a ruthless entity what it wanted, the least he could have expected was to lose his job. (No, not immediately, microcephalous idiot trolls, but a bit later, just before Christmas one year when we happened to be looking the other way.)

              And find it strangely hard to get another, and perhaps be smeared with Hairoil as well.

              And if inadvertently killed by drone, we have at least the assurance of knowing the Court Jester would be comfortable with it.

              • Don't worry. Be happy …
                24 December 2015 at 8:44 am

                In the back of any Judge’s mind is the treatment of Justice Mahan (sp?)…..he of the “orchestrated litany of lies” fame.

          • George Hendry 1.1.3.1.3
            23 December 2015 at 8:17 pm

            Actually, Kev, there was every need to use the word ‘overwhelming’.

            Even (especially) if it actually wasn’t, some would assume it was, a trap into which you seem to have fallen nicely.

            “When you haven’t a leg to stand on, throw tons of evidence at it. It can be irrelevant as, but some is likely to stick.”

            – John Combination

        • weka 1.1.3.2
          23 December 2015 at 8:05 pm

          Kev, there isn’t a judge in the country who would have the courage to give a verdict other than what was handed down. Get in the real world please, we have a nasty under belly in this country and judges are like anybody else , no matter how ethical they are there are decisions that have to be made – of course the whole situation is political, if you can’t see that then your antennae isn’t tuned properly.

          I assume you mean that no judge would rule in favour of KDC irrespective of the evidence? I have to disagree. I’m sure we have judges in NZ that are corrupt/corruptible, but I don’t believe the whole judiciary is by any means. What pressure or incentive is there to rule against the evidence? (not saying I agree with today’s decision btw).

          • George Hendry 1.1.3.2.1
            23 December 2015 at 8:27 pm

            ‘ What pressure or incentive is there to rule against the evidence? ‘

            Hi Weka 🙂

            Is the above a serious question?

            • weka 1.1.3.2.1.1
              23 December 2015 at 8:40 pm

              Yes, but in context (that the pressure applies to all NZ judges). Please be specific in your answer.

              • George Hendry …
                23 December 2015 at 9:30 pm

                Will try… 🙂

                Firstly, this is not meant in any way as a personal comment on this or any judge, but on the significance of this case, the significance of the parties involved, and the political significance of what they stand for.

                In the video clip referenced elsewhere in this thread, Kim states that since this case there hasn’t been another like it. If he’s right and this process has been so rare, I would expect a judge to find making a ruling somewhat more daunting than usual. Fortunately we have an appeal process that will take some of the initial weight of sole responsibility, which I imagine would be rather onerous, from Justice Dawson.

                Having realised what I’d call his initial mistakes (‘lost some early wickets”) Kim has dug in and defended well, even with much personal pressure, public vilification and compromised access to his resources. The tenacity with which the US government (or some corporate with commensurate clout) has stayed on his case could hardly be clearer to any judge put in the position of having to decide whether or not to give such a forceful, well-resourced entity what it clearly wants so badly.

                Is that enough incentive to rule against the evidence? Well, the evidence won’t mind that he did – not sure we could say the same of the corporate if he hadn’t.

                • weka …
                  23 December 2015 at 10:50 pm

                  I don’t think that answers the question and I note that you are talking about an individual judge. I’d like to see the reasoning behind Kate’s idea (as I took it) that all judges in NZ would be inevitably susceptible to abandoning jurisprudence and ruling in favour of the US due to presumably political pressure. Or do you mean the CIA will come knocking on the door in the middle of the night? Or the judge gets offered a nice job overseas? etc.

                  I just don’t see it.

                  “I would expect a judge to find making a ruling somewhat more daunting than usual.”

                  Sure, but that’s not what Kate was referring to. It’s not the difficulty of the case, it’s the idea that NZ judges are all corruptible.

                  • George Hendry …
                    24 December 2015 at 8:03 am

                    Weka – have you read ‘Dirty Politics”?

                    • Whispering Kate …
                      24 December 2015 at 8:49 am

                      Kev, I certainly was not presuming all judges were crooks – far from it, Justice Dawson had a terrible decision to make which he shouldn’t have been put in the position in the first place. USA sources say there is underwhelming evidence – its been a vendetta right from the start with the USA gunning for Kim – other commentators have said he could lose his position but during the silly season some time of course when nobody supposedly is noticing things. I may be uninformed of such matters but if there is a union of sorts for judges I would be banding up and refusing to deal with the matter. The government brought it all on themselves- let them do their own dirty work.

                      Meanwhile “no name” is in the sun in Hawaii or wherever leaving others to take on the responsibility.

                    • weka …
                      24 December 2015 at 10:50 am

                      Weka – have you read ‘Dirty Politics”?

                      Not cover to cover, but I have a copy that I use as a reference and I read a lot of it and other people writing about it when it was released. I know what dirty politics is (feel free to search ts by my name for around the time the book was released)

                      Is there some reason you can’t answer my question? Or are you implying that the whole judiciary in NZ is being subject to dirty politics and is succumbing?

                    • weka …
                      24 December 2015 at 10:57 am

                      Thanks for clarifying Kate, but I’m still confused by what you meant here,

                      Kev, there isn’t a judge in the country who would have the courage to give a verdict other than what was handed down. Get in the real world please, we have a nasty under belly in this country and judges are like anybody else , no matter how ethical they are there are decisions that have to be made – of course the whole situation is political, if you can’t see that then your antennae isn’t tuned properly.

                      Because in that you DO seem to be implying that all judges in NZ would find in favour of the US and/or National rather than following the law.

                      I haven’t read the judgement or general NZ commentary yet, so I don’t have an opinion yet on whether it’s fair or not. But I can’t see any evidence that all NZ judges are able to be pressured in the way you are suggesting. In fact I think we have some judges that patently wouldn’t do that and you do them a severe disservice to call them corruptible. It’s also doesn’t serve NZ or justice.

                  • George Hendry …
                    24 December 2015 at 2:40 pm

                    Hi Weka 🙂

                    I’m replying here as on my screen your latest reply seems not to have a reply button attached.

                    I have, in point of fact, answered your question. My answer is there, in the thread above. Whether I have answered it to your satisfaction is for you to decide. A fine distinction, but worth making in these circumstances where legal wording is so precise.

                    Now for some suppositions/personal opinions.

                    Are all NZ judges corrupt? Highly unlikely.

                    Might some be corruptible? More likely.

                    Are all corruptible? Less likely.

                    Would judges in most of their work feel pressured to give a partisan verdict, rather than follow jurisprudence/judge impartially? Not very likely.

                    Would a judge feel pressured ‘to interpret evidence in a partisan way’ when ruling in a case where one of the parties was the government of our most internationally aggressive ally? I think so.

                    Would a judge find in favour of the US government against all the evidence?

                    That situation is unlikely to arise, as evidence is so open to interpretation.

                    Can politics be kept out of justice ?

                    One day maybe, but certainly not yet.

                    [lprent: Comments will nest to 10 deep, and then they will lose the Reply button. That is because the width of the nested comments gets too small. Just reply to the parent comment up that does have a Reply. ]

                    • weka …
                      24 December 2015 at 3:55 pm

                      most of that has nothing to do with my question. But glad to hear you don’t think all judges in NZ would have caved to US pressure to return the verdict. It does leave me perplexed as to why you’ve been replying to me though. I’m guessing you didn’t read my comments properly.

        • schwen 1.1.3.3
          25 December 2015 at 9:17 am

          You do realise that if the judge had given a decision in favour of Dotcom, despite the overwhelming evidence in support of the extradition, it would be the plaintiff who would now be filing the appeal? And then what? Another judge needs to disregard the evidence in favour of Dotcom?

          The evidence is the evidence, and no honest judge is going to disregard that for the sake of “political courage”.

    • Leftie 1.2
      23 December 2015 at 6:22 pm

      @kate. NZ Herald were particularly vile and nasty yesterday when they published “Merry Christmas Kim Dotcom you could be in jail on December 25”

  2. mary_a 2
    23 December 2015 at 4:48 pm

    Like him or not, I suspect Kim Dotcom was set up from the moment he was granted residency in NZ.

    The movie industry in the US wanted him, so FJK jumped at the chance to comply with his US masters on request, by granting KDC and his family residency here. Easy game for the giant US corporates, who knew the ever servile FJK was the man who would hand him over!

    The Justice Minister Amy Adams, will go along with FJK’s wishes no doubt and have KDC et al, sent to the US to face trial.

    If Dotcom and his co accused are extradited, then no doubt FJK’s toadying to Hollywood, via the FBI and the NZ police force, will work out to have been a lucrative deal for him!

    This tells me any NZ citizen or resident is vulnerable to being sold out by FJK, if he stands to gain from the deal!

    • Colonial Viper 2.1
      23 December 2015 at 9:29 pm

      This tells me any NZ citizen or resident is vulnerable to being sold out by FJK, if he stands to gain from the deal!

      We already knew that from the way FJK supported the Hollywood LOTR/Jackson screwing of NZ actors and movie industry workers.

      • Hami Shearlie 2.1.1
        24 December 2015 at 9:09 am

        Strange isn’t it, there are so so many US companies doing exactly the same thing as Kim Dot Com did with their websites, but he seems to be the only one with a bullseye on his back right now – why are they only gunning for the german guy? The smell around all this is overpowering!

        • Kev 2.1.1.1
          24 December 2015 at 9:29 am

          Um, because megaupload was by far the biggest fish and at it’s peak counted for something like 4% of internet traffic? As for other companies doing exactly the same thing please name a few of them and make sure they are ones people have heard of.

          • whatisis 2.1.1.1.1
            26 December 2015 at 1:08 pm

            Rapidshare was by far the biggest at the time of megauploads shutdown as far as I could tell.

  3. Stuart Munro 3
    23 December 2015 at 4:49 pm

    It’s a civil case. All the US bullshit about money laundering only applies to criminal stuff like drug proceeds – else every US corporation in creation would be done for shifting profits to avoid tax. Civil cases are also not eligible for extradition – but John Key has perverted our legal process so as to crawl even further up the bottom of the US.

    Dotcom is just another victim of the Keytatorship but critically his business was destroyed by Key’s interference. A cyberlocker sector would have been a healthy addition to the NZ economy so of course Key destroyed it – whatever evil he has planned relies on NZ being completely economically fucked.

    • marty mars 3.1
      23 December 2015 at 5:05 pm

      + 1 Good points Stuart.

      I feel very sorry for these people – only harshness awaits them over there.

    • weka 3.2
      23 December 2015 at 8:09 pm

      Pretty interesting there Stuart. I was listening to the RNZ news earlier and wondering how this ended up being a racketeering charge. US law is pretty weird though, isn’t it?

      • Stuart Munro 3.2.2
        23 December 2015 at 11:13 pm

        Yeah – they have criminalised the international movement of money without government stamping. This is both good and bad – it has been necessary for the US to have something of the kind to fight drug cartels, the Red Guys and so forth. But US agencies self-fund to a remarkable degree through this system and so in some cases it has become corrupt – notably the Iran Contras self-funding arrangement. (We might describe the cabinet club as a similarly corrupt practice).

        As Dotcom is not a racketeer, and his business model is not very different from many cyber lockers including youtube, so long as he can fund his defence he ought to win – but the feds play dirty, and in this instance the shitty end of the stick was John Key, who by abusing the sovereign powers of our state was able to intrude the resources of our spy agencies into a very flimsy copyright case. That’s not what those powers are for, and Key is due some time in the naughty corner for that at the very least.

    • Leftie 3.3
      24 December 2015 at 5:08 am

      @Stuart Munro

      Exactly, it is a civil case, so why is the crown representing America, which has no jurisdiction in this country, against a New Zealand resident, that is costing the New Zealand tax payer millions of dollars?

      It appears the crown has unlimited resources to fund America’s legal costs, while National continue to rack up unprecedented govt debt, sink New Zealanders deeper into poverty, and flog off our assets, land and homes to speculators.

      Why aren’t the Americans funding their own representation and legal costs themselves? Why does the NZ taxpayer have to foot that bill?

    • Kev 3.4
      24 December 2015 at 9:34 am

      As explained in the judge’s decision it’s a criminal case because it involves fraud and criminal breach of copyright. The judge explains very clearly why it’s criminal copyright in the decision about 3/4 or so through.

      • Leftie 3.4.1
        24 December 2015 at 11:35 am

        @Kev

        The case against Dotcom is civil, there have been numerous references to that.

        • Kev 3.4.1.1
          24 December 2015 at 12:48 pm

          Read or at least go over the judge’s decision. The case against Dotcom is criminal and it’s very clearly laid out in the judge’s decision.

          • Leftie 3.4.1.1.1
            24 December 2015 at 7:27 pm

            @Kev

            Judges have been known to be wrong, and are not above political bias and interference, as this one clearly is, and there are those equally versed in law who do not hold the same opinion. Like I said, there are numerous references that the case against Dotcom is a civil one.

  4. RedBaronCV 4
    23 December 2015 at 4:56 pm

    I haven’t read the lot yet but there seemed to be a lot of use of the word “infer” .
    I rather though that the proof was on the balance of probabilities at least or even beyond reasonable doubt maybe. But this is the District Court so it’s been kicked upstairs.
    At the very least it gives a period of time for the technicalities to be kicked around by those with more tech experience.
    I noticed that the Judge criticised KDC for not taking data down promptly. Megaupload removed the linking URL but apparently didn’t delete the content from server.
    I’d have thought the actual server deletion might be a bit problematic- after all one could upload as a back up one’s collection of songs brought legitimately from say the itunes store – the issue of a linking URL so others could not download is where the problems start. Be interested in those extra techie thoughts.

  5. upnorth 5
    23 December 2015 at 5:01 pm

    too much evidence is the problem.

  6. Tory 6
    23 December 2015 at 5:06 pm

    Dot Com shat in his own nest, add to the summary of facts his bullshit email at his Auckland Town Hall ‘moment of truth’.

    • Stuart Munro 6.1
      23 December 2015 at 5:14 pm

      No, he relied on our legal system working.

      Tyrants always play merry hell with the law – even the Gnat child molestors get a free pass under Key. Dotcom is just like Hubbard – a wealthy victim for Key’s criminal associates to plunder.

      • acrophobic 6.1.1
        23 December 2015 at 7:14 pm

        Our legal system did work. Good riddance.

        • Stuart Munro 6.1.1.1
          23 December 2015 at 7:22 pm

          Pfff … our legal system won’t even let us name the Gnat sex criminals.

          Dotcom broke no NZ laws – or Hong Kong ones – US law is not his problem. Legally.

          • acrophobic 6.1.1.1.1
            23 December 2015 at 9:28 pm

            “…our legal system won’t even let us name the Gnat sex criminals.”

            That is called ‘name suppression’. It is our legal system at work.

            “Dotcom broke no NZ laws – or Hong Kong ones –”

            Actually Kim has criminal convictions in Germany and Hong Kong.

            “US law is not his problem. Legally.”

            Well it certainly is now! Ever hear of extradition laws Stuart?

            • Stuart Munro 6.1.1.1.1.1
              23 December 2015 at 11:16 pm

              That is called ‘selective name suppression’ and is a graphic instance of the corruption of the judiciary under the Key junta.

            • Stuart Munro 6.1.1.1.1.2
              23 December 2015 at 11:22 pm

              Extradition is a criminal, not a civil process.

              If Key manipulates the law to retrospectively make it a civil process for Dotcom he is interfering in judicial matters.

              Yes, we are aware of Dotcom’s grey hat convictions in Germany – as was Immigration when it allowed him into NZ. If they were ok then, then they are ok now.

              Yes it is a problem for Dotcom now – because we have a corrupt government with no respect for the rule of law.

              • acrophobic …
                24 December 2015 at 11:12 am

                “If Key manipulates the law to retrospectively make it a civil process for Dotcom he is interfering in judicial matters.”

                “If”? Do you have any proof of this actually occuring?

                “If they were ok then, then they are ok now.”

                Irrelevant. I was responding to your comment about KDC having broken no laws.

                “…because we have a corrupt government with no respect for the rule of law.”

                The rule of law is a live and well and has caught up with Mr Dotcom.

              • acrophobic …
                24 December 2015 at 11:26 am

                “Extradition is a criminal, not a civil process.”

                “The FBI warrant is seeking the four men on a range of charges relating to the Megaupload business, from criminal copyright violation through to money laundering and operating an organised criminal conspiracy.”
                http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11565539

          • acrophobic 6.1.1.1.2
            23 December 2015 at 9:33 pm

            “Pfff … our legal system won’t even let us name the Gnat sex criminals.”

            Name suppression is a part of our legal system, and has been for decades.

            “Dotcom broke no NZ laws – or Hong Kong ones – ”

            Dotcom has criminal convictions in both Germany and Hong Kong. He is not on trial for breaching any NZ laws.

            “US law is not his problem. Legally.”

            Well it seems you are wrong, baed on the ruling today.

            • Stuart Munro 6.1.1.1.2.1
              23 December 2015 at 11:26 pm

              I know it’s a lot to ask of you ignorant Tory trolls, but if you want to debate this matter you really must inform yourself of the issues sufficiently that you can discuss them.

              The matter is far from settled, and the judge was not too concerned about that as he knew it would go straight to appeal in any case. It was a little above the pay grade of a district court judge.

      • Ffloyd 6.1.2
        23 December 2015 at 7:48 pm

        @stuart munro.

        Bloody oath! We are on a hiding to nothing under this regime that has been inflicted upon us. Money and power talks. Maybe it is time for the people to talk.

  7. repateet 7
    23 December 2015 at 5:12 pm

    Considered by the Minister of Justice? That consideration won’t take more than a second. A very decisive, on-to-it woman she is.

    http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1403/S00114/special-investigation-adams-family-values.htm

    http://www.openureyes.org.nz/blog/?q=node/5129

  8. Murray Simmonds 8
    23 December 2015 at 5:26 pm

    Now here’s an idea:

    Get someone in Syria, or Iraq (or wherever it is that we have military personnel at present), to apply to have John Key extradited there. Doesn’t matter that Key has never been resident there,n or a citizen of that country, in the same way that Kim DotCom has never been a USA resident or citizen.

    The charges could be something like “conspiring to overthrow the legitimate government” (or the ‘status quo’ or whatever else) of the country concerned.

    Sounds more serious to me than the mere breach of some corporate copyright scam.

    Now that’s what I’d call a DECENT Christmas present.

    • Liberal Realist 8.1
      25 December 2015 at 10:57 am

      “Get someone in Syria, or Iraq (or wherever it is that we have military personnel at present), to apply to have John Key extradited there. Doesn’t matter that Key has never been resident there,n or a citizen of that country, in the same way that Kim DotCom has never been a USA resident or citizen.”

      +1

      But not before FJK stands trial in NZ for high treason.

  9. Lanthanide 9
    23 December 2015 at 5:29 pm

    It’s going to be appealed to the Supreme Court no matter what. So probably another 2-3 years before anything happens, assuming KDC can actually pay the legal fees.

    • risildowgtn 9.1
      23 December 2015 at 7:52 pm

      He can now!….

      Dotcom’s expat Kiwi lawyer, Hong Kong senior counsel Gerard McCoy has unlocked the way to a $50 million pool of Dotcom’s cash, restrained when he was first arrested, and won access to the money for living expenses and legal fees.

      http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11565404

    • weka 9.2
      23 December 2015 at 8:13 pm

      Thanks Lanth, I was wondering about that and how much they will be hoping for a change of govt in that time.

      • acrophobic 9.2.1
        23 December 2015 at 9:31 pm

        So you’re suggesting that a Labour/Greens/NZF/Mana government would interfere in the proper judicial process?

        • One Anonymous Bloke 9.2.1.1
          23 December 2015 at 9:52 pm

          The judiciary recommends. It’s a ministerial decision..

          • weka 9.2.1.1.1
            23 December 2015 at 10:45 pm

            Indeed. As it says in the post acrophobic. I would expect a Labour/GP/NZF government Minister to be less swayed by the US and commercial concerns than our current one.

          • acrophobic 9.2.1.1.2
            24 December 2015 at 11:17 am

            Yes but can you remember a time when the Minister overruled a recommendation? Doesn’t happen often. Dotcom made the same mistake, thinking that by putting his million into the Internet Party and then his failed Moment of Truth that he would en up owning the Minister. Fail, fail, fail.

            • One Anonymous Bloke 9.2.1.1.2.1
              24 December 2015 at 11:38 am

              I have this weird sense of deja vue reading these comments. Like I’ve heard them before from almost every other wingnut. It’s like some sort of knuckle-dragging Borg.

              Acrophobic, you (and your fine legal mind) were feebly wittering about Ministerial “interference” in the extradition process (deja vue there too). So I pointed out that due process is not interference, and so you went off on another plagiarised rant.

              Are you capable of bringing a single original idea to this discussion? Or does Polly wanna cracker?

              • acrophobic …
                24 December 2015 at 3:35 pm

                To accuse someone of plagiarising, you would, I assume, have access to what I have plagiarised. Yes? No? Maybe. I thought not.

                Now answer my question.

                • One Anonymous Bloke …
                  24 December 2015 at 3:40 pm

                  Yes: your opinions – none of them are original, they simply (and ineffectually) re-hash existing right wing drivel.

                  Show some personal responsibility and answer your own question, or are you Google-challenged as well as unoriginal?

  10. Anne 10
    23 December 2015 at 5:41 pm

    The decision was never going to be anything else. Not because he’s guilty… guilt doesn’t come into it. And Amy Adams will be champing at the bit to fall in behind the FBI play book. I’m looking forward to David Parker’s take on this decision. He has infinitely more intellectual clout than the mediocre Adams.

    Dotcom’s lawyer has described the verdict as a “cut and paste” job from the previous court case. No wonder it was such a short period of time between the end of the case and the judge’s decision. He didn’t even properly evaluate all the evidence. He knew his place… and that was to come down in favour of extradition.

    • tinfoilhat 10.1
      23 December 2015 at 6:36 pm

      🙄

      • Anne 10.1.1
        23 December 2015 at 7:12 pm

        Grow up tfh.

        I got the message some time ago that you don’t like me. The feeling is mutual.

        • tinfoilhat 10.1.1.1
          23 December 2015 at 7:34 pm

          🙄

        • George Hendry 10.1.1.2
          23 December 2015 at 7:46 pm

          Greetings, Anne 🙂

          I’d say it’s not so much that tfh doesn’t like you as that the point you make is totally valid and he doesn’t like having no show of contesting it. But he can hope to annoy and divert you.

          • Anne 10.1.1.2.1
            23 December 2015 at 7:48 pm

            A she… I think. 🙂

            • George Hendry 10.1.1.2.1.1
              23 December 2015 at 8:52 pm

              Possibly so, and I have to admit to having concluded with insufficient evidence.

              Further down the thread (she?) comments more fully than with a mere eyeroll…

              ‘…
              The point Anne makes has no validity whatsoever. It is however, yet another example of her oft-times cyclopian commentary on this blog….’

              No one’s comment has ‘no validity whatsoever.’ But, can she dispose of you in two lines ?!…

              Afraid not. The next one takes 16 (in this thread’s format) and even includes a hyperlink. Less trolling, more content.

              How to get rid of trolls? Just keep working until they feel it’s easier not to.

          • tinfoilhat 10.1.1.2.2
            23 December 2015 at 8:30 pm

            The point Anne makes has no validity whatsoever. It is however, yet another example of her oft-times cyclopian commentary on this blog.

          • Paul 10.1.1.2.3
            23 December 2015 at 8:30 pm

            Yup, he uses that argument on me as well.
            It means you have an argument he has no response to.

            • tinfoilhat 10.1.1.2.3.1
              23 December 2015 at 8:33 pm

              🙄

              The comment to you was as below..

              Paul 16
              23 December 2015 at 3:01 pm
              Officially a puppet state of the U.S.

              http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11565399

              Reply
              tinfoilhat 16.1
              23 December 2015 at 3:05 pm
              Not sure how that judge’s ruling makes NZ a puppet state of the US.

              Best you read the judge’s full decision before forming opinion, many of those on the political right would have been well advised to do the same regarding the recent decision regarding the illegality of the police search of Nicky Hagar’s home before spouting uninformed opinion.

  11. George Hendry 11
    23 December 2015 at 7:36 pm

    What Nicky Hager and Kim Dotcom share is having been on the receiving end of high profile expensive police raids.

    Where they differ seems to be that Dotcom was less aware than Hager of what he was up against, and thereby made more mistakes which could be used to trip him up.

    Thanks to that, whereas only one troll ventured onto yesterday’s Hager thread, more feel safe appearing on this one.

    For all his vaunted wealth, maybe we should look at crowdfunding Mr Dotcom if he is to be denied proper self defence using his own resources. It would be a democratic thing to do and therefore good for us here too.

    But whatever, we shouldn’t lose track of him or just leave him at the mercy of a government known for international genocide and torture. No one deserves that, partly because no one can inflict it without demeaning themself.

    • Anne 11.1
      23 December 2015 at 7:52 pm

      Where they differ seems to be that Dotcom was less aware than Hager of what he was up against, and thereby made more mistakes which could be used to trip him up.

      Hone Harawira made a similar point on TV1 this evening.

    • Grant 11.2
      23 December 2015 at 8:07 pm

      “For all his vaunted wealth, maybe we should look at crowdfunding Mr Dotcom if he is to be denied proper self defence using his own resources. It would be a democratic thing to do and therefore good for us here too.”

      I was happy to contribute to Hager’s defence fund but you surely have to be joking about doing the same for Dotcom?

      “Now, on the cusp of 2016, Dotcom has recovered. The fight has fresh fuel – money.

      Dotcom’s expat Kiwi lawyer, Hong Kong senior counsel Gerard McCoy has unlocked the way to a $50 million pool of Dotcom’s cash, restrained when he was first arrested, and won access to the money for living expenses and legal fees.” http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11565404

      • weka 11.2.1
        23 December 2015 at 8:17 pm

        Can’t say I can see any particularly good political reason to crowdfund KDC’s defence. I feel sorry for the guy (and the others), but he lost my political support when he walked away from the Internet Party and Mana simply because he lost an election and his ego got a whack. All other things that happened before that aside, he ended up looking just plain selfish.

        • George Hendry 11.2.1.1
          23 December 2015 at 9:07 pm

          @ Grant and Weka –

          As he now has access to funds, extra help may fortunately not be needed.

          While clearly Mr Dotcom may not be as pure as the driven snow (unlike Mr Hager who comes close to that standard), as a citizen he has the right to a full legal defence. While crowdfunding his case may go nowhere near meeting its costs, I believe such funding could be a gesture of solidarity in what may well turn out to have been a practice run for how things will work under TPPA.

          In spite of certain political missteps (a learning experience for him I’m sure) he has neither used force nor advocated violence, which can’t validly be said of the government arrayed against him, and I think we all owe him for exposing the local illegal spying at least.

          • Olwyn 11.2.1.1.1
            23 December 2015 at 9:39 pm

            While clearly Mr Dotcom may not be as pure as the driven snow (unlike Mr Hager who comes close to that standard), as a citizen he has the right to a full legal defence.

            Spot on! It is up to them to show he has a case to answer to, it is not up to him to show he qualifies for sainthood. The shocking, gloating, remark from NZH shows a corruption of mind that is scarily becoming a NZ norm.

          • Grant 11.2.1.1.2
            23 December 2015 at 10:37 pm

            ‘as a citizen he has the right to a full legal defence.’

            a) He has residency but not citizenship
            b) He has a full legal defence and access to 50 milliion bucks to pay for it.
            c) Personally I don’t think he’s a case for crowd funding, but hey, if you reckon so, set up a page and see how many people agree with you.

          • weka 11.2.1.1.3
            23 December 2015 at 10:55 pm

            I don’t think he did learn from what happened to the Internet Party (or he learnt the wrong things).

            I still don’t see what is is about his situation that deserves crowdfunding, esp alongside all the other worthy causes.

    • Chooky 11.3
      23 December 2015 at 9:09 pm

      +100 George Henry…well said

    • Incognito 11.4
      23 December 2015 at 11:35 pm

      I think the most obvious difference between Hager and KDC is (in) their personalities.

      And although they have in common that they riled the wrong people and got raided (for it) they were singled out for completely different reasons.

      That said, KDC muddied things by getting involved in things that he did not understand well (e.g. The Moment of Truth and his subsequent ‘foray’ into NZ politics) while Nicky Hager stuck to his knitting.

      • Molly 11.4.1
        24 December 2015 at 9:03 am

        The Moment of Truth was exceptionally informative and well-done if what you were seeking was an explanation by the main players of the government’s involvement with the 5 Eyes network.

        That in itself was a worthwhile contribution to the debate that was funded(?) by Dotcom.

        As a positive effect on his individual circumstance, it was another opportunity for those who wished to vilify him to do so, for lack of “smoking gun” evidence.

        But the value of the rest of the information given to NZers if they chose to attend or watch is still very high.

  12. Grantoc 12
    23 December 2015 at 7:51 pm

    Its clear that the judiciary along with the police are entirely corrupt and simply dance to the tune of their political masters (The Nats); except of course those judges that find in favor of Nicki Hager and others who the left approve of.

    So of course the judge in Dotcom’s case is corrupt and a political lackey because he didn’t come out with a judgement to the left’s liking.

    He only applied the law as he understands it. How dare he. The left know better.

  13. Wayne 13
    23 December 2015 at 8:06 pm

    Probably this case is not an issue I should comment as such, so on substantive points I won’t.
    But in respect of the integrity and independence of the New Zealand judiciary I will. I consider that some of the aspersions made by some commenters on this site are completely unwarranted. The judge wil have decided the case on the basis of law, not politics.
    The New Zealand judiciary has an international reputation for integrity and independence. That is why many of them are chosen for international tribunals where independence is of fundamental importance.
    Whatever your view of the Kim Dotcom case, the accusations of political bias on the part of the judiciary are unfair and untrue. And are not worthy of serious consideration.

    • Anne 13.1
      23 December 2015 at 8:40 pm

      The New Zealand judiciary has an international reputation for integrity and independence.

      Used to… not so much now I fear. Look at the way a judge used his authority to fully suppress all details of a court case because of the accused’s close ties to the National Party. This… despite the fact it was in the public’s interest to know at least some of the material – as happens in most other similar cases.

      • weka 13.1.1
        23 December 2015 at 10:52 pm

        If the details were fully suppressed how would we know the judgement was improper?

        • Anne 13.1.1.1
          24 December 2015 at 8:52 am

          The final court case is still to come so there’s been no judgement. I was referring to the lower court hearings that occurred earlier this year. We don’t know what took place because all aspects of the case have been suppressed including which District Court was involved. It is very unusual to have such minor details also suppressed so you have to ask yourself what influences were brought to bear?

          • weka 13.1.1.1.1
            24 December 2015 at 11:42 am

            Let me rephrase,

            If the details were fully suppressed how would we know the suppression order was improper?

            There might be influences bought to bear, but a suppression order and a connection to the National Party is pretty tenuous.

    • Stuart Munro 13.2
      23 December 2015 at 8:48 pm

      Your endorsement does nothing to support your assertion of the independence of the judiciary.

    • Sacha 13.3
      23 December 2015 at 8:59 pm

      “The judge wil have decided the case on the basis of law, not politics.”

      On this I agree. Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.

    • Kev 13.4
      23 December 2015 at 9:51 pm

      Even the briefest reading of the judge’s decision should be enough to convince any reasonable person that any accusation of political bias and or influence is completely unwarranted.

      For anyone who supported Dotcom and thought he would not be extradited it’s quite simple. Man up. Admit you got it wrong. And stop digging yourself further into a hole by pushing ludicrous conspiracy theories.

      • Sacha 13.4.1
        23 December 2015 at 10:25 pm

        Might still prevail in a higher court. The US case is hardly unassailable.

        • Kev 13.4.1.1
          23 December 2015 at 10:38 pm

          When the judge uses words like “overwhelming”, it pretty much is unassailable.

          • weka 13.4.1.1.1
            23 December 2015 at 10:54 pm

            Judges sometimes get it wrong though.

            “Even the briefest reading of the judge’s decision should be enough to convince any reasonable person that any accusation of political bias and or influence is completely unwarranted.”

            That’s an assertion. Care to explain why you think it’s true?

          • Richard Christie 13.4.1.1.2
            23 December 2015 at 11:04 pm

            When the judge uses words like “overwhelming”, it pretty much is unassailable.

            Tom Eichelbaum used similar words in his notoriously incompentent assessment of Peter Ellis’s guilt.

            I rather think that such language is indicative of an attempt to bluster.

          • Stuart Munro 13.4.1.1.3
            23 December 2015 at 11:37 pm

            No, this is like your comments, rhetorical, it carries little weight. The important thing is the rationale behind the decision. If the reasoning is strong the judgment is more likely to be upheld.

            • Kev 13.4.1.1.3.1
              24 December 2015 at 9:24 am

              And if you read the decision you’d see the reasoning behind the decision is actually very strong. By using the word “overwhelming” the judge is sending a message to other judges. And that message is think very carefully before you overturn my decision because I feel very strongly that my decision is right.

              • Stuart Munro …
                24 December 2015 at 10:00 am

                No, by using the word ‘overwhelming’ he is signalling to all legal folk not to pay much attention to what follows. It is an appeal to pathos with no legal merit.

                Actually the volume of evidence is a side issue – there are other important matters: Is Dotcom, then resident in Hong Kong, subject to US law? Most judges would say no.

                Was the evidence obtained legally? Clearly it was not.

                Can Dotcom be extradited for a civil matter? Only with the collusion of a corrupt government and a corruptible judiciary.

  14. Sacha 14
    23 December 2015 at 8:09 pm

    Auckland law professor Bill Hodge gives some context to RNZ (from about 3m): http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/thepanel/audio/201784032/dotcom-loses-extradition-fight

    Interesting differences of opinion legally, though I’d back a world-recognised IP law expert like Lawrence Lessig any day.

  15. Esoteric Pineapples 15
    23 December 2015 at 8:11 pm

    All the while I can download all of David Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust and Hunky Dory from YouTube plus lots of other music. If copyright is the issue how come no one from Google who owns YouTube is in the docks.

    • Chooky 15.1
      23 December 2015 at 9:14 pm

      …apparently Google was next on their hit list…but they may have bitten off more than they could chew ( see above interview with Dotcom)…looks like they were bribing politicians as well

      • Sacha 15.1.1
        23 December 2015 at 10:29 pm

        The failed case against Youtube is one of Dotcom’s precedents. Both sites had uploader incentives plus well-used takedown mechanisms compliant with the DMCA law.

      • Leftie 15.1.2
        24 December 2015 at 7:43 pm

        @Chooky

        Yes, and there is no doubt that they thought with John key’s interfering assistance, that Dotcom would be a very easy target to make an example of, and didn’t anticipate how hard and difficult it would be.

    • Kev 15.2
      23 December 2015 at 10:45 pm

      Maybe because the copyright holders of Stardust and Dory haven’t asked YouTube to take the videos down?

  16. Observer (Tokoroa) 16
    23 December 2015 at 8:43 pm

    here we go again…

    The only corrupt free judges in the world are New Zealanders.
    The only great footballers are the NZ Rugby players
    The only great place to bring up kids is New Zealand (in spite of an extremely high crime rate)
    The only great Prime Minister in the World is the NZ Prime Minister
    The Only great Justice Minister in the World is the current Justice Minister.
    The only great bum wipers in the world are New Zealanders.

    No wonder the rest of the world regard kiwis as smug little gnomes.

    You Wayne you will be pleased to know, are the greatest of the New Zealand simpletons in the whole world.

  17. Kev 17
    23 December 2015 at 9:33 pm

    Here is a link to the entire judgement:

    https://www.scribd.com/fullscreen/293889722?access_key=key-o4cXDGWDtxiGqopZt65O&allow_share=true&escape=false&view_mode=scroll

    Leaving aside allegations of political influence, the challenge is to why the judge is wrong.

  18. Tory 18
    23 December 2015 at 10:14 pm

    More tin foil on display here than what covered the Lunar Lander, shit just remembered the left nut cases also think the moon landings are a conspiracy dreamed up by the capitalists in the US. At least you can have solice in knowing the earth is flat……

  19. upnorth 19
    23 December 2015 at 11:14 pm

    why isn’t Kelvin Davis on the front page protecting Kim Dot Com rights?
    Where is Andrew little?
    Where is Ms Fox

    Kim Dot Com is our very own 501

    Please – any credence to Labour now stands firmly with the Labour Leadership – If the do not stand up for KDC then they are nothing but headliners.

    Where is the outrage from labour?

    • lprent 19.1
      24 December 2015 at 6:40 pm

      Where is the outrage from labour?

      I suspect that they have no particular interest in Kim DotCom. Their outrage was pretty much confined to doing what an opposition has to do, looking at the implications on the government’s organs like the roles of the police, immigration and security organisations. It is not about even thinking about interfering with the separate branch of the state – the judiciary.

      That kind of political stupidity is in the realms of those who don’t understand why there is a separation of powers and processes within the state.

      You for instance…

      (anyone care to guess if this bozo understands what I just said?)

  20. fisiani 20
    23 December 2015 at 11:18 pm

    the paranoia of the Left is clear to see from many posters. Without so much as reading the judgement they instantly declare political bias. Incredible.

    • Sacha 20.1
      23 December 2015 at 11:25 pm

      and how many of the ‘enthusiasts’ at Kiwibog and/or Whaleoik have read nearly 300 pages before firing up their browsers?

    • Stuart Munro 20.2
      23 December 2015 at 11:41 pm

      It’s not paranoia: the right are determined to wreck everything good about NZ.

    • appleboy 20.3
      24 December 2015 at 9:46 am

      Moronic as usual.

      FACT – ISP’s under US law cannot be held liable for users uploading copyrighted material.

      FACT – You cannot be extradited for copyright infringement anyway. That’s a civil matter.

      FACT- Mega took down 99.9% of all take down requests.

      FACT – Raid on KDC using 70 armed police , for a copyright case was F**KED.

      FACT – US illegally took copies of data from KDC from NZ

      FACT – John key saying he had never heard of KDC until the day of the raid was a bare faced LIE.

      FACT NZ Govt search warrant and monitoring of communications was illegal.

      FACT Fisiani has inability to see this case as political even though the MPAA are million dollar funders of Republicans and Democrats to feather their interests.

      • Kev 20.3.1
        24 December 2015 at 12:38 pm

        Considering the number of mistakes you make in your post, have you actually read or even gone over the judge’s decision? A simple yes or no will do.

  21. Murray Simmonds 21
    24 December 2015 at 6:18 am

    Tory, fisiani:

    Can you please provide just one shred of worthwhile empirical evidence to back up your assertions that paranoia and conspiracy theorising are more prevalent among left-leaning than among right-leaning commentators?

    Hint – start with McCarthyism and the notion of “Reds under the bed”. Then progress from there . . . . .

  22. Karen 22
    24 December 2015 at 8:21 am

    The best summary I have seen of the situation so far is by David Fisher:

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11565507

    I agree with him that there should be independent inquiries into the actions of the Immigration Department and the Police with this case. Whether the USA has the right to extradite Dotcom over copyright is the issue and I am sure it will eventually go to the Supreme Court, so we are years away from any decision.

    • Kev 22.1
      24 December 2015 at 9:40 am

      What’s so good about it? All he says is that based on the evidence Dotcom didn’t stand a chance but the evidence still has to be tested in court. The rest is just fodder.

      • Karen 22.1.1
        24 December 2015 at 12:31 pm

        If that’s your interpretation then your reading and comprehension skills are somewhat limited.

  23. Xanthe 23
    24 December 2015 at 9:43 am

    But for all the “overwhelming evidence” the judge fails to address the simple question “was an extraditable offense committed?”. The judgment fails on a point of law.

    • Kev 23.1
      24 December 2015 at 12:34 pm

      The judge does address that question. Have you actually read or gone over the decision? A simple yes or no will suffice.

      • appleboy 23.1.1
        24 December 2015 at 2:27 pm

        Oh another Fisiani one eyed right winger. By US law ISP’s or cloud storage companies cannot be sued for copyright infringing material by users.

        Questions?

        Why did the IUS refuse to allow KDC to pay for experts to defend his case?

        Why did the US conspire with NZ to illegally spy on KDC? To illegally take copies of evidence out of NZ?

        Why does the US use a judge that used to work for Disney? and why did the US pick a prosecutors office that is after Assange and Snowden, and just happens to have the highest % of govt workers in the jury pool?

        Why did John key say he had never heard of KDC until the day before the raid?

        Why why why …

  24. savenz 24
    24 December 2015 at 9:55 am

    Dotcom was never going to be allowed a fair hearing. The NZ judge who was the expert in copywrite and Internet was forced out after retweeting comments about the US.

    The judges who understand Internet and copywrite and illegal searches are actually not allowed to hear the case.

    This is a district judge decision. However it is clear that the US and NZ government is fighting very dirty, removing Judges, doing illegal searches, removing funds so Dotcom can’t defend himself, and justice is not being seen to be done.

    “The judge overseeing the Kim Dotcom extradition case has stepped down after making comments suggesting the United States was the “enemy”.

    Judge David Harvey surrendered his role in the case after making comments during a copyright discussion at an internet conference.

    An internet law expert, Judge Harvey had been considered the perfect choice to hear arguments on whether Dotcom and his Megaupload colleagues should be extradited by the United States to face charges of criminal copyright violation.

    The district court’s chief judge Jan-Marie Doogue said Judge Harvey had made the decision to step down from hearing the case.

    “He recognises that remarks made in the context of a paper he delivered on copyright law at a recent internet conference could reflect on his impartiality and that the appropriate response is for him to step down from the case.”

    The video could not be loaded, either because the server or network failed or because the format is not supported.
    Read: Hip-hop star in link to Dotcom case.

    Judge Harvey made the comments at NetHui during a conference discussion on copyright and trade talks with the US. He referred to a tweet which had played on a reference to cartoonist Walt Kelly: “We have met the enemy and he is [the] U.S.”

    The case, scheduled for March, would now be heard by Judge Nevin Dawson. Judge Dawson has previously heard elements of the case including making the decision to allow the internet giant bail in February after a month in jail.

    The case has been bruising since the outset with the judge initially hearing it reprimanded for treatment of media.

    It has also seen criticism of the Crown Law Office and the police. The wrong type of restraining order was initially used to seize the cash and assets of the accused. Then the search warrants were ruled invalid because they were too broad, making the search and seizure illegal. It also emerged the FBI had taken evidence back to the US without the knowledge of the police and Crown – and now want to use it to help extradite the Megaupload accused.

    Auckland university associate professor Bill Hodge said the case involved new technology arguments in an “antiquated” legal framework argued by talented lawyers. “It is uniquely high stakes.”

    He said it was the “case of a lifetime” for Judge Harvey. “He is recognised as one of New Zealand’s experts – not just as a judge but as an expert who has gone into copyright issues.”

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10820496

    • ianmac 24.1
      24 December 2015 at 1:41 pm

      Thanks for that info savenz. Pity to have lost out on Judge Harvey but surely he is not alone.

      • ianmac 24.1.1
        24 December 2015 at 2:23 pm

        The case will never make it to a criminal trial nor for that matter a civil one.
        As usual Gordon has a well thought out take which ends with:
        “However, the intention of the US action against Dotcom is entirely about deterrence – by- harassment. And unfortunately, the New Zealand courts have now become accomplices in this travesty.
        “http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/2015/12/24/gordon-campbell-on-the-dotcom-extradition-decision/comment-page-1/#comment-554488

          • ianmac 24.1.1.1.1
            24 December 2015 at 3:34 pm

            Ta. I live and learn Veuto.

            • Anne 24.1.1.1.1.1
              24 December 2015 at 5:17 pm

              I was beaten to it. Gordon Campbell is right on the button as always:

              Summing up words at end of main item:

              However, the intention of the US action against Dotcom is entirely about deterrence – by – harassment. And unfortunately, the New Zealand courts have now become accomplices in this travesty.

              And there you have it.

              “Don’t worry. Be happy” reflected on the Erebus Inquiry of the early 1980s and the way Justice Mahon was treated because he had the temerity to stand up to the Government of the day (National of course – under Muldoon) and he came down with a damming indictment of Air NZ. He was forced into early retirement and the ongoing malice and innuendo waged against him eventually killed him. I am in no doubt that some judges will be very mindful of that notorious and disgusting saga when going about their deliberations.

              Edit: I see you have already referred to the quote ianmac. Never mind – it’s worth repeating.

        • Kev 24.1.1.2
          24 December 2015 at 3:15 pm

          Goes to show that Gordon hasn’t even bothered reading the decision. The charges involve criminal copyright and secondary copyright infringement isn’t even mentioned. And the judge states very clearly why safe harbour provisions don’t apply.

    • Tautuhi 24.2
      25 December 2015 at 1:08 am

      Sounds like a Mickey Mouse outfit?

  25. Manuka AOR 25
    24 December 2015 at 9:58 am

    In comments above, the KDC case and ruling have been compared to or contrasted with that of Nicky Hager. It could also be compared with the cases of Edward Snowden and Julian Assange. In each case there seems very little possibility of an impartial hearing or a fair trial, if such were undertaken in the US.

  26. Kev 26
    24 December 2015 at 3:07 pm

    Since most of you are too lazy to actually read the decision yourselves (otherwise you wouldn’t be repeating the same dumbass comments all the time) I’ve put together a “summary” for you where I’ve divided the ruling into topics and quoted relevant passages from the ruling. So for example if you say “but copyright isn’t an indictable offence” then you just need to go over “On the extradition laws not being applicable” and “On criminal copyright infringement.” Or if you’re saying “but megaupload took down offending files and they had a takedown thingy” then you just need to go over the part headed “On non-compliance with safe harbour provisions.”

    [deleted]

    [lprent: This is way too long to be a comment. Plus I did a fast scan of it and rapidly found that at least 3 of your explanations of what the judgement said were statements of fact that were a) not supported by the part of the judgement you were quoting and/or; b) were actionable against us and/or; c) where I think you are simply lying.

    I’m really not a believer in the lazy LF post / Cameron Slater affidavit conspiracy school of simply inventing interpretations about legal documents, and I really don’t like idiots putting us into legal liability.

    Banned for 6 months. ]

    • ianmac 26.1
      24 December 2015 at 3:36 pm

      Hooray Lprent. Thanks.

    • joe90 26.2
      24 December 2015 at 8:55 pm

      A wee sulk over at the sewer.

      Also I’m currently considering whether or not I have a case for defamation against him and The Standard.

      Merry f’ing christmas.

    • lprent 26.3
      24 December 2015 at 10:35 pm

      Kevin had a whine about the ban at YourNZ including republishing his comment. So i had another look at it.

      Turns out that he was in a large part quoting the applicants arguments which were in the judgement. It was no wonder my bullshit meter went off so hard. I got to a section about “mens rea” wondered how in the hell that got into a hearing. Turns out it was entirely the applicants arguments about mens actus on conspiracy….

      Definitely not part of the judges ruling.

      FFS how can someone be so frigging stupid about law. But hey Kev is a “Oiler”, he would have to be stupid by definition.

      • Tracey 26.3.1
        26 December 2015 at 10:56 am

        If he learned his legal interpretation and analysis at LF/WO his post makes perfect sense and could be used for students to study. Students learn better with humour!

      • Magisterium 26.3.2
        26 December 2015 at 10:42 pm

        Turns out it was entirely the applicants arguments about mens actus on conspiracy

        WTF is “mens actus”?

        • lprent 26.3.2.1
          28 December 2015 at 9:53 am

          Me being facetious. Mens rea is the ‘guilty mind’, actus reus is the ‘guilty act’

          But the specific section in the judgement was on the alleged conspiracy, which in itself, is a crime of the mind. As far as I could see the applicants, and certainly the legal idiot kev, haven’t provided actual evidence of alleged acts in the section I was referring to. They provided the kind of blathering that goes on in private online media.

          For instance, the contacts Cameron Slater said to the Chisholm enquiry that he didn’t have with Judith Collins, but that he’d boasted about with detail to his correspondents. Apparently Chisholm accepted it.

          Or the blathering about tossing a bus using a catapult that excited police and prosecution in the 2007 raids.

          The non guilty acts of the mind? It appears to be a evolving branch of law.

  27. Sacha 27
    24 December 2015 at 9:16 pm

    Here is some of what Kev has been relying on, from kiwibog (via donotlink): http://www.donotlink.com/hpcy

    Does sound interesting. Will try to fit in reading the judge’s full decision over break.

    • lprent 27.1
      24 December 2015 at 11:18 pm

      I had a glance at it. Basically in it David Farrar looked only at the listing of the Applicant’s submissions with just one paragraph of the actual ruling. This follows his traditional habit of ignoring the logic in favour of chasing sound bites.

      However you’re right, it is exactly the same stupidity that Kev was doing.

      The problem is that the extradition to me looks very suspect on 2 and possibly 3 out of the 5 because the match between US laws and ours looks like it doesn’t really exist or is vague.

      Has anyone seen anything that shows how he connects the Crimes Act for the racketeering? Because I can’t. Maybe it is the chocolates…..

  28. Tracey 28
    26 December 2015 at 10:51 am

    It is a decision of the District Court so there is some way to go yet. Remember John Banks recent interaction with our Court system?

  29. Xanthe 29
    27 December 2015 at 4:53 pm

    Subtle shift in the heralds position in their editorial.
    While they are still pushing the line that the matter needs to be moved to the US .
    They now appear to be allowing for the possibility that it is not so “overwhelmingly” one sided after all. And that there are maby matters of policy to consider. Overall it feels like the tide is starting to come back in for DotCom

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  • Bernard’s Saturday Soliloquy for the week to July 27

    Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: My top six things to note around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the week to July 27 were:1. The Minister for Ford Rangers strikes againTransport Minister Simeon Brown was again the busiest of the Cabinet ministers this week, announcing an ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 hours ago
  • Ticket To Anywhere

    You got a fast carAnd I want a ticket to anywhereMaybe we make a dealMaybe together we can get somewhereAny place is betterYesterday’s newsletter, Trust In Me, on the report of abuse in state care, and by religious organisations, between 1950 and 2019, coupled with the hypocrisy of Christopher Luxon ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 hours ago
  • Stories of varying weight

    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on anything you may have missed. Share Read more ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    7 hours ago
  • Balancing External Security and the Economy

    New Zealand is again having to reconcile conflicting pressures from its military and its trade interests. Should we join Pillar Two of AUKUS and risk compromising our markets in China? For a century after New Zealand was founded in 1840, its external security arrangements and external economics arrangements were aligned. ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    19 hours ago
  • Weekly Climate Wrap: The unravelling of the offsets

    The ‘50 Shades of Green’ farmers’ protest in 2019 was heavy on climate change denial, but five years on, scepticism and criticism about the idea that pine forests can save us is growing across the board. File photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: Here’s the top six news items of note in climate ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • What makes us tick

    This morning the sky was bright.The birds, in their usual joyous bliss. Nature doesn’t seem to feel the heat of what might angst humans.Their calls are clear and beautiful.Just some random thoughts:MāoriPaul Goldsmith has announced his government will roll back the judiciary’s rulings on Māori Customary Marine Title, which recognises ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    1 day ago
  • Foreshore and seabed 2.0

    In 2003, the Court of Appeal delivered its decision in Ngati Apa v Attorney-General, ruling that Māori customary title over the foreshore and seabed had not been universally extinguished, and that the Māori Land Court could determine claims and confirm title if the facts supported it. This kicked off the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 day ago
  • Gordon Campbell on the Royal Commission report into abuse in care

    Earlier this week at Parliament, Labour leader Chris Hipkins was applauded for saying that the response to the final report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care had to be “bigger than politics.” True, but the fine words, apologies and “we hear you” messages will soon ring ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    1 day ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Friday, July 26

    TL;DR: In news breaking this morning:The Ministry of Education is cutting $2 billion from its school building programme so the National-ACT-NZ First Coalition Government has enough money to deliver tax cuts; The Government has quietly lowered its child poverty reduction targets to make them easier to achieve;Te Whatu Ora-Health NZ’s ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Weekly Roundup 26-July-2024

    Kia ora. These are some stories that caught our eye this week – as always, feel free to share yours in the comments. Our header image this week (via Eke Panuku) shows the planned upgrade for the Karanga Plaza Tidal Swimming Steps. The week in Greater Auckland On ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    1 day ago
  • God what a relief

    1. What's not to love about the way the Harris campaign is turning things around?a. Nothingb. Love all of itc. God what a reliefd. Not that it will be by any means easye. All of the above 2. Documents released by the Ministry of Health show Associate Health Minister Casey ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 day ago
  • Trust In Me

    Trust in me in all you doHave the faith I have in youLove will see us through, if only you trust in meWhy don't you, you trust me?In a week that saw the release of the 3,000 page Abuse in Care report Christopher Luxon was being asked about Boot Camps. ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 day ago
  • The Hoon around the week to July 26

    TL;DR: The podcast above of the weekly ‘hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers last night features co-hosts and talking about the Royal Commission Inquiry into Abuse in Care report released this week, and with:The Kākā’s climate correspondent on a UN push to not recognise carbon offset markets and ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Friday, July 26

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Friday, July 26, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Transport: Simeon Brown announced $802.9 million in funding for 18 new trains on the Wairarapa and Manawatū rail lines, which ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Radical law changes needed to build road

    The northern expressway extension from Warkworth to Whangarei is likely to require radical changes to legislation if it is going to be built within the foreseeable future. The Government’s powers to purchase land, the planning process and current restrictions on road tolling are all going to need to be changed ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    1 day ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #30 2024

    Open access notables Could an extremely cold central European winter such as 1963 happen again despite climate change?, Sippel et al., Weather and Climate Dynamics: Here, we first show based on multiple attribution methods that a winter of similar circulation conditions to 1963 would still lead to an extreme seasonal ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago
  • First they came for the Māori

    Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when publishedFirst they came for the doctors But I was confused by the numbers and costs So I didn't speak up Then they came for our police and nurses And I didn't think we could afford those costs anyway So I ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    2 days ago
  • Join us for the weekly Hoon on YouTube Live

    Photo by Joshua J. Cotten on UnsplashWe’re back again after our mid-winter break. We’re still with the ‘new’ day of the week (Thursday rather than Friday) when we have our ‘hoon’ webinar with paying subscribers to The Kākā for an hour at 5 pm.Jump on this link on YouTube Livestream ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Will the real PM Luxon please stand up?

    Notes: This is a free article. Abuse in Care themes are mentioned. Video is at the bottom.BackgroundYesterday’s report into Abuse in Care revealed that at least 1 in 3 of all who went through state and faith based care were abused - often horrifically. At least, because not all survivors ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    2 days ago
  • Will debt reduction trump abuse in care redress?

    Luxon speaks in Parliament yesterday about the Abuse in Care report. Photo: Hagen Hopkins/Getty ImagesTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:PM Christopher Luxon said yesterday in tabling the Abuse in Care report in Parliament he wanted to ‘do the ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Olywhites and Time Bandits

    About a decade ago I worked with a bloke called Steve. He was the grizzled veteran coder, a few years older than me, who knew where the bodies were buried - code wise. Despite his best efforts to be approachable and friendly he could be kind of gruff, through to ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago
  • Why were the 1930s so hot in North America?

    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Jeff Masters and Bob Henson Those who’ve trawled social media during heat waves have likely encountered a tidbit frequently used to brush aside human-caused climate change: Many U.S. states and cities had their single hottest temperature on record during the 1930s, setting incredible heat marks ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago
  • Throwback Thursday – Thinking about Expressways

    Some of the recent announcements from the government have reminded us of posts we’ve written in the past. Here’s one from early 2020. There were plenty of reactions to the government’s infrastructure announcement a few weeks ago which saw them fund a bunch of big roading projects. One of ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    2 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Thursday, July 25

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Thursday, July 25 are:News: Why Electric Kiwi is closing to new customers - and why it matters RNZ’s Susan EdmundsScoop: Government drops ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • The Possum: Demon or Friend?

    Hi,I felt a small wet tongue snaking through one of the holes in my Crocs. It explored my big toe, darting down one side, then the other. “He’s looking for some toe cheese,” said the woman next to me, words that still haunt me to this day.Growing up in New ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    2 days ago
  • Not a story

    Yesterday I happily quoted the Prime Minister without fact-checking him and sure enough, it turns out his numbers were all to hell. It’s not four kg of Royal Commission report, it’s fourteen.My friend and one-time colleague-in-comms Hazel Phillips gently alerted me to my error almost as soon as I’d hit ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Thursday, July 25

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Thursday, July 25, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day were:The Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry published its final report yesterday.PM Christopher Luxon and The Minister responsible for ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • A tougher line on “proactive release”?

    The Official Information Act has always been a battle between requesters seeking information, and governments seeking to control it. Information is power, so Ministers and government agencies want to manage what is released and when, for their own convenience, and legality and democracy be damned. Their most recent tactic for ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago
  • 'Let's build a motorway costing $100 million per km, before emissions costs'

    TL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:Transport and Energy Minister Simeon Brown is accelerating plans to spend at least $10 billion through Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) to extend State Highway One as a four-lane ‘Expressway’ from Warkworth to Whangarei ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Lester's Prescription – Positive Bleeding.

    I live my life (woo-ooh-ooh)With no control in my destinyYea-yeah, yea-yeah (woo-ooh-ooh)I can bleed when I want to bleedSo come on, come on (woo-ooh-ooh)You can bleed when you want to bleedYea-yeah, come on (woo-ooh-ooh)Everybody bleed when they want to bleedCome on and bleedGovernments face tough challenges. Selling unpopular decisions to ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • Casey Costello gaslights Labour in the House

    Please note:To skip directly to the- parliamentary footage in the video, scroll to 1:21 To skip to audio please click on the headphone icon on the left hand side of the screenThis video / audio section is under development. ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    3 days ago
  • Why is the Texas grid in such bad shape?

    This is a re-post from the Climate Brink by Andrew Dessler Headline from 2021 The Texas grid, run by ERCOT, has had a rough few years. In 2021, winter storm Uri blacked out much of the state for several days. About a week ago, Hurricane Beryl knocked out ...
    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on a textbook case of spending waste by the Luxon government

    Given the crackdown on wasteful government spending, it behooves me to point to a high profile example of spending by the Luxon government that looks like a big, fat waste of time and money. I’m talking about the deployment of NZDF personnel to support the US-led coalition in the Red ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    3 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Wednesday, July 24

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:40 am on Wednesday, July 24 are:Deep Dive: Chipping away at the housing crisis, including my comments RNZ/Newsroom’s The DetailNews: Government softens on asset sales, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • LXR Takaanini

    As I reported about the city centre, Auckland’s rail network is also going through a difficult and disruptive period which is rapidly approaching a culmination, this will result in a significant upgrade to the whole network. Hallelujah. Also like the city centre this is an upgrade predicated on the City ...
    Greater AucklandBy Patrick Reynolds
    3 days ago
  • Four kilograms of pain

    Today, a 4 kilogram report will be delivered to Parliament. We know this is what the report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith-based Care weighs, because our Prime Minister told us so.Some reporter had blindsided him by asking a question about something done by ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Wednesday, July 24

    TL;DR: As of 7:00 am on Wednesday, July 24, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Beehive: Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced plans to use PPPs to fund, build and run a four-lane expressway between Auckland ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Luxon gets caught out

    NewstalkZB host Mike Hosking, who can usually be relied on to give Prime Minister Christopher Luxon an easy run, did not do so yesterday when he interviewed him about the HealthNZ deficit. Luxon is trying to use a deficit reported last year by HealthNZ as yet another example of the ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    3 days ago
  • A worrying sign

    Back in January a StatsNZ employee gave a speech at Rātana on behalf of tangata whenua in which he insulted and criticised the government. The speech clearly violated the principle of a neutral public service, and StatsNZ started an investigation. Part of that was getting an external consultant to examine ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Are we fine with 47.9% home-ownership by 2048?

    Renting for life: Shared ownership initiatives are unlikely to slow the slide in home ownership by much. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:A Deloitte report for Westpac has projected Aotearoa’s home-ownership rate will ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Let's Win This

    You're broken down and tiredOf living life on a merry go roundAnd you can't find the fighterBut I see it in you so we gonna walk it outAnd move mountainsWe gonna walk it outAnd move mountainsAnd I'll rise upI'll rise like the dayI'll rise upI'll rise unafraidI'll rise upAnd I'll ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • Waimahara: The Singing Spirit of Water

    There’s been a change in Myers Park. Down the steps from St. Kevin’s Arcade, past the grassy slopes, the children’s playground, the benches and that goat statue, there has been a transformation. The underpass for Mayoral Drive has gone from a barren, grey, concrete tunnel, to a place that thrums ...
    Greater AucklandBy Connor Sharp
    4 days ago
  • A major milestone: Global climate pollution may have just peaked

    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections Global society may have finally slammed on the brakes for climate-warming pollution released by human fossil fuel combustion. According to the Carbon Monitor Project, the total global climate pollution released between February and May 2024 declined slightly from the amount released during the same ...
    Skeptical Science
    4 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Tuesday, July 23

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Tuesday, July 23 are:Deep Dive: Penlink: where tolling rhetoric meets reality BusinessDesk-$$$’s Oliver LewisScoop: Te Pūkenga plans for regional polytechs leak out ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Tuesday, July 23

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Tuesday, July 23, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Health: Shane Reti announced the Board of Te Whatu Ora- Health New Zealand was being replaced with Commissioner Lester Levy ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • HealthNZ and Luxon at cross purposes over budget blowout

    Health NZ warned the Government at the end of March that it was running over Budget. But the reasons it gave were very different to those offered by the Prime Minister yesterday. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon blamed the “botched merger” of the 20 District Health Boards (DHBs) to create Health ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago
  • 2500-3000 more healthcare staff expected to be fired, as Shane Reti blames Labour for a budget defic...

    Long ReadKey Summary: Although National increased the health budget by $1.4 billion in May, they used an old funding model to project health system costs, and never bothered to update their pre-election numbers. They were told during the Health Select Committees earlier in the year their budget amount was deficient, ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    4 days ago
  • Might Kamala Harris be about to get a 'stardust' moment like Jacinda Ardern?

    As a momentous, historic weekend in US politics unfolded, analysts and commentators grasped for precedents and comparisons to help explain the significance and power of the choice Joe Biden had made. The 46th president had swept the Democratic party’s primaries but just over 100 days from the election had chosen ...
    PunditBy Tim Watkin
    5 days ago
  • Solutions Interview: Steven Hail on MMT & ecological economics

    TL;DR: I’m casting around for new ideas and ways of thinking about Aotearoa’s political economy to find a few solutions to our cascading and self-reinforcing housing, poverty and climate crises.Associate Professor runs an online masters degree in the economics of sustainability at Torrens University in Australia and is organising ...
    The KakaBy Steven Hail
    5 days ago
  • Reported back

    The Finance and Expenditure Committee has reported back on National's Local Government (Water Services Preliminary Arrangements) Bill. The bill sets up water for privatisation, and was introduced under urgency, then rammed through select committee with no time even for local councils to make a proper submission. Naturally, national's select committee ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • Vandrad the Viking, Christopher Coombes, and Literary Archaeology

    Some years ago, I bought a book at Dunedin’s Regent Booksale for $1.50. As one does. Vandrad the Viking (1898), by J. Storer Clouston, is an obscure book these days – I cannot find a proper online review – but soon it was sitting on my shelf, gathering dust alongside ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    5 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell On The Biden Withdrawal

    History is not on the side of the centre-left, when Democratic presidents fall behind in the polls and choose not to run for re-election. On both previous occasions in the past 75 years (Harry Truman in 1952, Lyndon Johnson in 1968) the Democrats proceeded to then lose the White House ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    5 days ago
  • Joe Biden's withdrawal puts the spotlight back on Kamala and the USA's complicated relatio...

    This is a free articleCoverageThis morning, US President Joe Biden announced his withdrawal from the Presidential race. And that is genuinely newsworthy. Thanks for your service, President Biden, and all the best to you and yours.However, the media in New Zealand, particularly the 1News nightly bulletin, has been breathlessly covering ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    5 days ago
  • Why we have to challenge our national fiscal assumptions

    A homeless person’s camp beside a blocked-off slipped damage walkway in Freeman’s Bay: we are chasing our tail on our worsening and inter-related housing, poverty and climate crises. Photo: Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Existential Crisis and Damaged Brains

    What has happened to it all?Crazy, some'd sayWhere is the life that I recognise?(Gone away)But I won't cry for yesterdayThere's an ordinary worldSomehow I have to findAnd as I try to make my wayTo the ordinary worldYesterday morning began as many others - what to write about today? I began ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • A speed limit is not a target, and yet…

    This is a guest post from longtime supporter Mr Plod, whose previous contributions include a proposal that Hamilton become New Zealand’s capital city, and that we should switch which side of the road we drive on. A recent Newsroom article, “Back to school for the Govt’s new speed limit policy“, ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    5 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Monday, July 22

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Monday, July 22 are:Today’s Must Read: Father and son live in a tent, and have done for four years, in a million ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Monday, July 22

    TL;DR: As of 7:00 am on Monday, July 22, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:US President Joe Biden announced via X this morning he would not stand for a second term.Multinational professional services firm ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #29

    A listing of 32 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, July 14, 2024 thru Sat, July 20, 2024. Story of the week As reflected by preponderance of coverage, our Story of the Week is Project 2025. Until now traveling ...
    Skeptical Science
    6 days ago
  • I'd like to share what I did this weekend

    This weekend, a friend pointed out someone who said they’d like to read my posts, but didn’t want to pay. And my first reaction was sympathy.I’ve already told folks that if they can’t comfortably subscribe, and would like to read, I’d be happy to offer free subscriptions. I don’t want ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    6 days ago
  • For the children – Why mere sentiment can be a misleading force in our lives, and lead to unex...

    National: The Party of ‘Law and Order’ IntroductionThis weekend, the Government formally kicked off one of their flagship policy programs: a military style boot camp that New Zealand has experimented with over the past 50 years. Cartoon credit: Guy BodyIt’s very popular with the National Party’s Law and Order image, ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    6 days ago
  • A friend in uncertain times

    Day one of the solo leg of my long journey home begins with my favourite sound: footfalls in an empty street. 5.00 am and it’s already light and already too warm, almost.If I can make the train that leaves Budapest later this hour I could be in Belgrade by nightfall; ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago
  • The Chaotic World of Male Diet Influencers

    Hi,We’ll get to the horrific world of male diet influencers (AKA Beefy Boys) shortly, but first you will be glad to know that since I sent out the Webworm explaining why the assassination attempt on Donald Trump was not a false flag operation, I’ve heard from a load of people ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago
  • It's Starting To Look A Lot Like… Y2K

    Do you remember Y2K, the threat that hung over humanity in the closing days of the twentieth century? Horror scenarios of planes falling from the sky, electronic payments failing and ATMs refusing to dispense cash. As for your VCR following instructions and recording your favourite show - forget about it.All ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • Bernard’s Saturday Soliloquy for the week to July 20

    Climate Change Minister Simon Watts being questioned by The Kākā’s Bernard Hickey.TL;DR: My top six things to note around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the week to July 20 were:1. A strategy that fails Zero Carbon Act & Paris targetsThe National-ACT-NZ First Coalition Government finally unveiled ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Pharmac Director, Climate Change Commissioner, Health NZ Directors – The latest to quit this m...

    Summary:As New Zealand loses at least 12 leaders in the public service space of health, climate, and pharmaceuticals, this month alone, directly in response to the Government’s policies and budget choices, what lies ahead may be darker than it appears. Tui examines some of those departures and draws a long ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    1 week ago
  • Flooding Housing Policy

    The Minister of Housing’s ambition is to reduce markedly the ratio of house prices to household incomes. If his strategy works it would transform the housing market, dramatically changing the prospects of housing as an investment.Leaving aside the Minister’s metaphor of ‘flooding the market’ I do not see how the ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    1 week ago
  • A Voyage Among the Vandals: Accepted (Again!)

    As previously noted, my historical fantasy piece, set in the fifth-century Mediterranean, was accepted for a Pirate Horror anthology, only for the anthology to later fall through. But in a good bit of news, it turned out that the story could indeed be re-marketed as sword and sorcery. As of ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā's Chorus for Friday, July 19

    An employee of tobacco company Philip Morris International demonstrates a heated tobacco device. Photo: Getty ImagesTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy on Friday, July 19 are:At a time when the Coalition Government is cutting spending on health, infrastructure, education, housing ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Friday, July 19

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 8:30 am on Friday, July 19 are:Scoop: NZ First Minister Casey Costello orders 50% cut to excise tax on heated tobacco products. The minister has ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Weekly Roundup 19-July-2024

    Kia ora, it’s time for another Friday roundup, in which we pull together some of the links and stories that caught our eye this week. Feel free to add more in the comments! Our header image this week shows a foggy day in Auckland town, captured by Patrick Reynolds. ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    1 week ago
  • Weekly Climate Wrap: A market-led plan for failure

    TL;DR : Here’s the top six items climate news for Aotearoa this week, as selected by Bernard Hickey and The Kākā’s climate correspondent Cathrine Dyer. A discussion recorded yesterday is in the video above and the audio of that sent onto the podcast feed.The Government released its draft Emissions Reduction ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    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
    19 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
    22 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
    22 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
    1 day 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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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. ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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. ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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. ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    1 week 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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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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