National’s Dirty Politics Machine Attacks Complainant

Written By: - Date published: 6:43 am, June 28th, 2017 - 85 comments
Categories: bill english, David Farrar, Dirty Politics, national - Tags: , ,

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While Bill English has “nothing to add” except the “this just an employment dispute” lie, the National Party’s Dirty Politics Machine has been fired up. Yesterday it was feeding its social media troll army a nasty talking-point to pass around in order to discredit the worker who Todd Barclay – allegedly – illegally spied on.

Hollow Man Matthew Hooton fabricated the framing on Monday’s Radio New Zealand Nine-to-Noon show when he told the audience . . .

. . . Todd Barclay came to believe – one way or another – that they [Barclay’s staff] were saying things about him that are outrageous . . . There was a huge cultural conflict between these people and this led him, I believe, to think it’s a good idea to tape these people . . .

. . .  thus leveraging his RNZ spot to broadcast that Barclay’s – alleged – criminal behaviour was – one way or the other – justified.

Yesterday, newsroom.co.nz ‘s Melanie Reid reported, inter alia, that NZ Police had re-opened its investigation, that the compainant had been re-interviewed, and that contents of one of the conversations – allegedly – illegally recorded by Todd Barclay had involved a discussion about “sex and drugs”.

Nek minit –

Then up pops John Key’s favourite fluffer –

. . . essentially, a variation of “she deserved it” and a sick distraction from the fact that it is a crime to intentionally intercept private communications you are not a party to regardless of the content of those communications.

Unless Hollow Man Hooton and Fluffer Farrar have heard Barclay’s – alleged – recording(s) or been told the content, upon what basis do they feel entitled to state by innuendo that Barclay’s – alleged – victim had been so unprofessional and out-of-control as to be accusing Barclay of being a drug dealer?

NZ Police need to speak to both of them. And soon. It’s possible these Dirty Politics Machine principals could confirm the recording(s) exist and/or that the content has been widely shared. Does their associate Cameron Slater have copies? Has the material for their innuendo come from the 9th Floor? Did it come from Ministerial Services? More likely, Hooton & Farrar have “nothing to add” to the investigation and have been deliberately spreading a lie. In which case, NZ Police need to remind them of the possible consequences of using their public platforms to maliciously attack a complainant in a criminal investigation. It amounts to intimidation.

Of course, this assumes that NZ Police is actually serious about its investigation. As unlikely as that may be, if it is true, its not beyond the realms of possibility that Hooton and Farrar could, potentially, find themselves in the dock alongside National Party Board Member Glenda Hughes facing a charge of attempting to pervert the course of justice.

85 comments on “National’s Dirty Politics Machine Attacks Complainant ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Ed 1
    28 June 2017 at 6:49 am

    How Farrar and Hooton are treated as civilised commentators, I do not know.
    Quite repulsive people.
    It’s amazing what people will do for money.

    • tc 1.1
      28 June 2017 at 7:03 am

      A sure sign RNZ is compromised by griffin allowing itself to be a DP soapbox for fluffer and hollow hypocrite hootsman.

      A half decent broadcaster would purge these leeches from its programs.

      • Ed 1.1.1
        28 June 2017 at 7:09 am

        Sadly you are so accurate.
        Even John Campbell succumbed to 90 minutes of flag waving, rather than doing any investigative journalism last night.

        • tc 1.1.1.1
          28 June 2017 at 7:28 am

          yes and why proper public broadcasting is urgently required if truth is to be valued above the agenda of wealthy powerful entities and the people/parties in power they own.

          English is now owning DP behaviour so this PM gig is working well for him so far as a legacy of the shonky one.

      • Gosman 1.1.2
        28 June 2017 at 9:08 am

        Once again who would your prefer to be the commentator from the right on that particular segment if not Hooton?

        • Muttonbird 1.1.2.1
          28 June 2017 at 9:15 am

          Josie Pagani.

        • left_forward 1.1.2.2
          28 June 2017 at 9:29 am

          It doesn’t matter who – as long as they have values that honour and dignify people.

          • Gosman 1.1.2.2.1
            28 June 2017 at 9:57 am

            Except you as a hard core leftist likely think most right leaning people are excluded then.

            • McFlock 1.1.2.2.1.1
              28 June 2017 at 10:31 am

              That’s not our problem. If you guys can’t put forward a right wing commentator who thinks about more than their personal paycheque, perhaps you should reconsider your position.

              • Gosman …
                28 June 2017 at 11:22 am

                That’s not how free speech or giving differing perspectives air time works. As much as you may dislike Hooton and Farrar their views are shared by a significant section of society. These people’s views should be heard especially on a State funded media outlet.

                • Muttonbird …
                  28 June 2017 at 11:31 am

                  Ironic that their position undoubtedly is to scrap all public broadcasting. Where then would these two send their invoices if not to the NZ taxpayer?

                • weka …
                  28 June 2017 at 11:55 am

                  “As much as you may dislike Hooton and Farrar their views are shared by a significant section of society.”

                  You think that a significant section of society think that Dirty Politics is a valid and useful political tool? What are you basing that opinion on?

                • McFlock …
                  28 June 2017 at 12:43 pm

                  Is that what I said? No.

                  All I said was that if you can’t nominate a right wing commentator who isn’t a corrupt fuckwit, maybe you’re on the side of the baddies.

            • left_forward 1.1.2.2.1.2
              28 June 2017 at 11:02 am

              No, not at all. We have seen throughout history, ‘Dirty Politics’ occurring on the left and the right.

              • Gosman …
                28 June 2017 at 11:23 am

                I’m curious about what you regard as dirty politics on the left.

                • left_forward …
                  28 June 2017 at 11:44 am

                  Some exponents through the ages… Stalin, Mao, Blair – I’m sure you know this.

                  • Gosman …
                    28 June 2017 at 11:47 am

                    You’re comparing the excesses of Mao and Stalin to what Tony Blair and the current government does are you?

                    Also as far as I was aware Tony Blair is regarded as right wing by leftists like you.

                    • left_forward …
                      28 June 2017 at 11:55 am

                      No, just some examples – the degree of excess is irrelevant – and yeah Blair is probably more right. But I concede to Carolyn’s more accurate view below. Dirty Politics probably doesn’t exist on the left.

                  • Carolyn_nth …
                    28 June 2017 at 11:48 am

                    Nah. The Hager definition of “dirty politics” as practiced under John Key, was a two track thing: talk positive in public; have a well-oiled smear machine operating at a distance from the PM, but linked to his office.

                    Stalin and Mao were all one track of nasty stuff as policy as far as I’m aware. Blair was just a deluded fool linked to the MSM and populist politics, trying to balance neoliberal and some weak social welfare policies.

                    I’m not sure there is a two track approach on the left.

                    • weka …
                      28 June 2017 at 5:40 pm

                      +1

                      in this case, we have Bill English trying to appear like everything’s good, while the henchmen run damage in the background. It doesn’t even matter now whether there is direct communication out of the PM’s office to the cabal, their lines are well rehearsed enough.

                    • Gosman …
                      28 June 2017 at 6:28 pm

                      There is. You are just too biased to see it.

                    • In Vino …
                      28 June 2017 at 10:03 pm

                      No bias – just no evidence. For once in your internet life, Gosman, can you actually provide convincing proof of one of your assertions? Proof of that two track approach on the right?

        • ankerawshark 1.1.2.3
          28 June 2017 at 12:17 pm

          Glenys Dickson or Mr Davey……they would be good right wing commentators….

          I am impressed particularly with Mr Davey’s ethics and code of conduct (there is more known about how he proceeded rather than Glenys at this stage which is not to cast any aspersions on her.

        • Brigid 1.1.2.4
          28 June 2017 at 1:11 pm

          Glenys Dickson

    • Jack P 1.2
      3 July 2017 at 5:47 pm

      IT’s the right wing media portraying them as commentators. It is like CNN, CBS, MSNBC, ABC, Fox which is successful. The states are loaded with mainstream media hype (fake news) and it is very prevalent in New Zealand unfortunately because kiwis are a trusting sort and the wool is being pulled over their eyes. I haven’t watched TV in 4 years since the last election because Key got off the hook with Dirty Politics because of the media. Sorry guys, but its the media that will try to sway the public by telling only half truths or not giving any coverage at all. A true investigative journalist could have kicked Key out after the South Canterbury Finance debacle. Instead he was protected by the media.

  2. riffer 2
    28 June 2017 at 6:58 am

    Indeed.

    Certain websites should surely be expecting a Netsafe HDCA warning? That’s how it works isn’t it?

    Sauce for the goose, and all that…

  3. Tamati Tautuhi 3
    28 June 2017 at 7:21 am

    The Slime Element and a Stasi like approach has entered the National Party over the past 9 years ?

    Hooton, Farrar and Slater are part of the National Party’s Slime Network spreading propoganda and misinformation.

    • tc 3.1
      28 June 2017 at 7:30 am

      Via taxpayer funded outlets as paid gigs, you gotta hand it to national that’s a pretty sweet deal.

      • Ed 3.1.1
        28 June 2017 at 7:41 am

        The employment of Griffin and Hosking are an affront to a democratic media.

        • Tamati Tautuhi 3.1.1.1
          28 June 2017 at 8:32 am

          Honkin Hoskings is a National Party deseminator of information, party policy and thoughts on various issues even though he is not a card carrying member of the National Party.

          • Tamati Tautuhi 3.1.1.1.1
            28 June 2017 at 8:34 am

            Hoskings and TV One the State Broadcaster do not give a balanced view of NZ Politics and Issues.

            • mpledger 3.1.1.1.1.1
              28 June 2017 at 9:33 am

              I happened to switch to tv from a dvd to look at the tv guide for that evening and was unfortunate to land on tv1 and Hoskings. He was happily saying about how there should be no food regulations and people should learn what restaurants to avoid by getting sick at them (never mind thinking through the cost that would give to the health system, ACC and lost employee days). I guess tv1 values shallow, reactionary dribble.

    • Gosman 3.2
      28 June 2017 at 9:13 am

      They are invited on specifically to discuss topics from a right wing perspective just as left wing commentators are invited on to discuss things from a left wing perspective. Why is this wrong?

      • left_forward 3.2.1
        28 June 2017 at 9:31 am

        Because their values are shit – different political perspectives can be given in a manner that dignifies people and truth.

      • Stuart Munro 3.2.2
        28 June 2017 at 10:04 am

        A genuine vox pop would be better.

        Neither left nor right reactionary is particularly original – what matters more is how it affects people on the ground.

        These opinion panels are not diverse or interesting; their role is to persuade not to discover or to inform.

      • Skinny 3.2.3
        28 June 2017 at 10:09 am

        Hooton got rightfully called out over his snake oil about the foreign student scheme on RNZ yesterday. But still he went off on a tangent making shit up.

        How Barclay wasn’t disciplined at the time for recording his staffer is beyond me. How he got selected after this totally unacceptable situation just shows the influence of big money (tobacco) that is bringing down our democracy.

        An insight into the rotten goings on within the National party.

        I now fully expert English to be replaced by Bennett or Mr Fix It Joyce as caretaker Pm till after the election in the best interests of democracy.

        • Gabby 3.2.3.1
          28 June 2017 at 11:19 am

          More the organisation skills of the Barclay family who seemed to be in the right places to cast votes for their Wee tousled Toddy.

      • weka 3.2.4
        28 June 2017 at 10:33 am


        They are invited on specifically to discuss topics from a right wing perspective just as left wing commentators are invited on to discuss things from a left wing perspective. Why is this wrong?

        Because both of them are aligned with Dirty Politics. I have zero problem with the media using RW commentators alongside LW ones. But I do have a problem with them using ones where there are such conflicts of interest. Better to use actual RW commentators not spin doctors.

    • Red 3.3
      28 June 2017 at 10:44 am

      Stasi where left wing support group where they not

  4. ianmac 4
    28 June 2017 at 8:16 am

    Would Farrar be liable for defamation charges? He does not name but it is pretty clear who he is denigrating.

  5. Muttonbird 5
    28 June 2017 at 8:38 am

    Aren’t Barclay, Hooten, Farrar, and Graham all bought and paid for by the tobacco lobby? Water finds it’s own level, I guess.

    • tc 5.1
      28 June 2017 at 2:49 pm

      Whoever has the dosh and a ‘worthy’ cause gets to employ their skills.

      Hooten is a professional spin doctor with questionable morality as his behaviour over Hagers details showed.

      You dont get to be too choosy when you peddle spin and bs.

  6. Keith 6
    28 June 2017 at 9:33 am

    It does RNZ no credit whatsoever this have either of these cockroaches on their station

    Why do they seek their warped and horribly tainted opinions?

  7. Anne 7
    28 June 2017 at 9:52 am

    Like a lot of right wing “sociopoaths” they can ooze charm and goodwill. Heard Farrar on RNZ’s The Panel yesterday and he sounded like your friendly, helpful next-door neighbour. I wonder if these radio and TV hosts or their producers ever read the crap they write online, or their often sordid little twitter comments. They paint a different picture of their personalities altogether.

    If Glenys Dickson learned of Barclay’s conduct involving “sex and drugs” she would not have been doing her job if she hadn’t expressed her concerns. Having been through a similar experience I can imagine how her detractors are getting at her. The spreading of lies and innuendo is only part of it. There are methods of harassment and intimidation that are almost impossible to prove because they occur when there are no witnesses. It is the victim’s word against the protagonists’ and since they usually have the power or seniority… their word is always believed.

  8. Pete 8
    28 June 2017 at 9:53 am

    I don’t know what the “Fluffer” in Farrar meant. When we were kids a ‘fluff’ was a fart.

    My observations suggest Farrar is far more solid that that.

  9. weka 9
    28 June 2017 at 10:47 am

    Unless Hollow Man Hooton and Fluffer Farrar have heard Barclay’s – alleged – recording(s) or been told the content, upon what basis do they feel entitled to state by innuendo that Barclay’s – alleged – victim had been so unprofessional and out-of-control as to be accusing Barclay of being a drug dealer?

    Yes, very odd that they went there so quickly after the initial Newsroom report.

    On the other hand, it’s possible that Barclay was dealing drugs and that the staff in Gore had legitimate concerns. Who would know?

    • Penny Bright 9.1
      28 June 2017 at 10:55 am

      In my view, Glenda Dickson was a ‘whistle-blower’ NOT a ‘snitch’.

      IF Todd Barclay’s activities were affecting his ability to do his job as MP for Clutha/Southland – then Glenda Dickson was right, in my opinion, to ‘blow the whistle’.

      Penny Bright
      2017 Independent candidate for Tamaki.

      • Draco T Bastard 9.1.1
        28 June 2017 at 11:55 am

        RWNJs really don’t like people who point out that they or their leaders are wrong and so will attack them mercilessly as we’ve seen over this and other incidences by National over the last few years.

      • Anne 9.1.2
        28 June 2017 at 4:30 pm

        Precisely Penny Bright @9.1. She was a whistle-blower.

        I guarantee it was the first time in her life she found herself in a position where she felt she had to do it. And for her efforts she has been denigrated and obviously ‘sent to Coventry’ by those she once trusted and respected. The sense of betrayal must be profound.

        • bwaghorn 9.1.2.1
          28 June 2017 at 4:35 pm

          whistle blower huh? her first response was to take the money , she’s just scrambling up a slippery pole now trying to look good

          • Anne 9.1.2.1.1
            28 June 2017 at 4:59 pm

            Actually most of it was severance pay bwaghorn. I’m assuming she was working under a specific contract with Parliamentary Services.

            She also received a “top up” which came from the former PM’s Parliamentary Service fund. That was the hush money bit. I know from experience the way superiors effectively bully a whistle-blower into submission. In my case, the managers took out a caveat preventing me from discussing the matter with anyone. In Glenys Dickson’scase they paid her off. I expect she was given no other option.

            • bwaghorn 9.1.2.1.1.1
              28 June 2017 at 5:15 pm

              ” I expect she was given no other option.”
              whistle blowing is standing up to the bullies and burning the house down as you leave , not going for severance pay

              • weka …
                28 June 2017 at 5:41 pm

                This is a pretty clear case of standing up to bullies. I’m sure if National had done the right thing she would have taken the settlement and left it alone. They didn’t and so she took the matter further much later. I wouldn’t call it whistleblowing, but it was still a good stand.

              • Anne …
                28 June 2017 at 5:56 pm

                You have no idea bwaghorn. If you stand up to those kind of bullies they chop your head off. No-one stands by you. Your peers run for cover fearing the same will happen to them. Bizarre things start to happen and you begin to fear for your safety. You have a mortgage to pay off and maybe other debts so you stick it out for as long as you can. There comes a time when you have no choice but to accept a severance pay-out for the sake of your sanity.

                And if you are a woman then the harassment is worse because they know they can more easily get away with it. If you call them out they use the… “she’s just a neurotic female who is making up stories” line of defence. And they are almost always believed.

      • Cinny 9.1.3
        28 June 2017 at 6:53 pm

        x infinity Penny

  10. Penny Bright 10
    28 June 2017 at 10:51 am

    ‪The RULES covering the Leader’s Budget.

    Speaker’s Directions which sets out the amounts for Leader’s funding, and what it can and can’t be used for.‬
    ‪ ‬
    ‪https://www.parliament.nz/media/3661/speakers-directions-2014-including-amendment-directions-2015-and-2017.pdf‬

    (Haven’t yet studied this information – just got it.

    See what YOU can find! 🙂

    Penny Bright

    2017 Independent candidate for Tamaki.

  11. Psycho Milt 11
    28 June 2017 at 12:02 pm

    I have to admit to suffering complete consternation at this. The Nats ask Hooton and Farrar to do something to get this seemingly never-ending daily shit-fest off the media’s radar. Hoots and Farrar come up with the so-cunning-you-could-etc plan of putting it out there that Barclay is also an alleged drug dealer. Wouldn’t somebody among the Nats look at that plan and go “Er, what? You’re suggesting what, now? Maybe you misunderstood – we want you to make this go away, not fuel it! What’s wrong with you, man?” Well, apparently not, because here are Hooton and Farrar giving the media today’s fresh dip-the-Nats-in-shit topic. I give up, it just makes no sense.

    • tc 11.1
      28 June 2017 at 2:54 pm

      Its not about sense its about muddying the waters with spin and bs.

      Todds expendable as hes no longer standing. You can see how they miss eades command post to set the tone and direct traffic.

    • weka 11.2
      28 June 2017 at 5:45 pm

      That’s pretty much what I thought. They want to spin that Barclay’s a drug dealer, what are they on?

      However they may also be conceding that this won’t go away, so plan B is to smear Dickson and co even if that damages Barclay further (although at this stage it’s moot whether his reputation can be further damaged. I guess it might affect employment prospects).

    • KJT 11.3
      29 June 2017 at 12:29 pm

      But! But. Barclay is a drug dealer. He worked for a tobacco company.

  12. North 12
    28 June 2017 at 12:32 pm

    Think I heard somewhere that today’s guests at 4.00 pm on The Panel RNZ are Grande Dame Boagy of the National Party and her bestie Brian Edwards. Presumably Barclaygate will rate a mention.

  13. Et Tu Brute 13
    28 June 2017 at 12:55 pm

    I’m of two minds. It is against the law. He was wrong. He handled it badly. I don’t like him. But also, I do get the argument about being in his shoes. Not an excuse, but as the victim of harassment I get it. You know someone has a grudge and are making your life hell with unwarranted accusations. You don’t have enough to take it to court. Do-gooders want to ease the tension by saying you’re imagining it. Stirrers want to tell you what’s being said, but not go on record. Random people suddenly turn hostile. I’d like to say I’d ignore it and try to get on with life as everything falls apart, and hope it didn’t effect me. But I also am not sure I would take the high ground. Barclay could have just fired his staff and cleaned house. For an MP that is easy. He stuffed up by making it complicated. For people who aren’t MPs, we can’t get rid of ex’s, employees, bosses, neighbours etc… nearly as easily.

    • McFlock 13.1
      28 June 2017 at 1:11 pm

      Even if the rumours put about by hooten and farrar are true, there’s still the point that someone with a degree in commercial law, corporate experience, and previous experience in the offices of multiple ministers should have:
      a) known that unlawfully intercepting a communication is highly illegal and immediately endangers your position in any employment dispute; and
      b) been competent enough to resolve the issue in a legal and upstanding manner.

      As it is, any doubts his electorate official had about his suitability and competence to be an MP have been thoroughly validated.

    • Red 13.2
      28 June 2017 at 1:32 pm

      First time ever ETB I agree with you, albeit that’s not a ringing endorsement on this site, so take cover 😀

      • weka 13.2.1
        28 June 2017 at 1:59 pm

        The difference between what ETB just wrote and what you write (e.g. the comment I just moderated, see OM for the warning), is that ETB wrote a considered argument based on their experience and opinion. Nothing there that is even remotely on a moderation radar, and in terms of commenting I’d rate it highly in terms of contribution to the site. You on the other hand look like you are running round take pot shots at lefties. Not only is it boring, you will eventually get the attention of a moderator. I don’t mind short, sharp witticisms so long as they’re not a pattern of trolling. You’ve been here long enough to know these differences.

    • Sacha 13.3
      28 June 2017 at 2:09 pm

      Barclay could have easily and quickly got rid of his staff under parliamentary services rules rather than spy on and complain about them. The power in that relationship goes strictly one way.

      There seems to be a basic clash of expectations between him and others in his local party apparatus about what an MP does. Like treating constituents with respect when they visit your office. Like turning up to events you’re the keynote speaker at rather than going out partying then calling in sick.

      Otherwise, who cares what the guy got up to in his own time.

      • dukeofurl 13.3.1
        28 June 2017 at 4:48 pm

        Yes they do when you are an MP. Hes in the wrong job if he thinks he can be just like any other late twenties successful executive who isnt in a steady relationship.
        Rightly or wrongly he choose mainly rural conservative farming electorate, and he has to meet their expectations.
        Once the coverup began…

  14. David Mac 14
    28 June 2017 at 6:59 pm

    Hootie and the Blowfish pitching Todd as a drug dealing sex fiend is odd. I can’t see how any upside isn’t swamped by the suspicions it arouses.

    They’re saying: ‘How would you feel if your PA was spreading drug/sex allegations about you?’

    Personally, I’d knock on her office door and ask “What the hell is this rumour all about?” Just like Matt and Dave would. To click a dictophone onto ‘Record’ is still just plain creepy.

    I smell a spin trap. I just haven’t worked out what way it’s going to spin yet.

  15. patricia bremner 15
    28 June 2017 at 7:16 pm

    For someone to say one day
    ” Bill English should shut the f…k up”
    to come forward on another day with suggestions is odd!!
    Muddy? or “Look over here!!”
    Distraction or diversion perhaps?
    I thought….. What do they want us to NOT to look at? KEY????
    Our household is highly suspicious of their motives!!

  16. JustMe 16
    28 June 2017 at 7:37 pm

    I have been wondering if Todd Barclay or Bill English have ever heard of Watergate. Because it looks like they both do not remember what happened to President Nixon sometime afterwards(the Watergate scandal).
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watergate_scandal
    But then it’s likely Bill English will typically respond that US laws are totally different to NZ laws. And if he does so then I will say that is a lousy cop-out/excuse.
    We must remember however that in his love affair of the United States John Key whilst pm of NZ would have happily had laws changed that favoured the US legal system(s).
    And in regards to the National government attacks on the complainant; well it does seem that whenever they are caught in a corner of their OWN making they(National)have a go at anyone and everyone else around them. It looks like a well trodden track record of bullying and intimidation.
    To date we have seen on more than one occasion Bill English blatantly lying and when he gets caught out lying he refuses to admit he has lied. He has ruined any credibility he ever had to begin with.
    Now I don’t want to get too personal about Bill English but I can only guess he doesn’t lie to the Catholic church but because he is a MP he is all fine and happy to lie to New Zealanders many of whom are not Catholics. If the entire population of NZ was Catholic then I am sure he wouldn’t happily lie to kingdom come.
    Todd Barclay probably thought that whilst an mp he could boss and bully everyone around him. But for him to feel that need to tape his staff shows he was truly insecure about himself, his position and of course the people that worked with him.
    In conclusion there is one important matter that mps no matter what political party they hark from that must know and remember and that is bullying and arrogance must never have any part in a government. That is what a future government after September 2017 needs to remember. But if they want to travel down the same path as the current government then no matter how many of us vote in time arrogance and bullying will always become part of the mixture.

    • David Mac 16.1
      28 June 2017 at 8:21 pm

      Rather than Watergate, I think we’ve got a Goregate going on.

      Glenys worked for Bill for 17 years in their little community. I think it’s safe to assume they became mates. In my little community the one place I bump into people I haven’t seen for ages is the local 4 Square. Its where I catch up on the latest gossip. The Barclay family operate their local 4 Square. Bill was saying ‘G’day’ to Todd when he was an 11 year old boy topping up the Coke fridge.

      I think this has turned into the mess it has because the poo has settled in our PM’s tiny home nest and Bill has been torn between allegiances, his human fragility exposed.

  17. Tautoko Mangō Mata 17
    28 June 2017 at 8:27 pm

    Move over, the “Evil Six”

    The Dirty Politics machine 2017 : “Rima Rūpahu”
    Matthew Hooton, David Farrar, Jordyn Williams, Cam Slater, Mike Hosking,

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    Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul.    “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
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  • Minister to Europe for OECD meeting, Anzac Day
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    10 hours ago

  • Comprehensive Partnership the goal for NZ and the Philippines
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr.  The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
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    22 hours ago

  • Government commits $20m to Westport flood protection
    The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
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    1 day ago

  • Taupō takes pole position
    The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
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  • Cost of living support for low-income homeowners
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  • Government backing mussel spat project
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  • Government focused on getting people into work
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  • Clean energy key driver to reducing emissions
    The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
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  • Earthquake-prone buildings review brought forward
    The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
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  • Thailand and NZ to agree to Strategic Partnership
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
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  • Government consults on extending coastal permits for ports
    RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
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  • Inflation coming down, but more work to do
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    2 days ago

  • School attendance restored as a priority in health advice
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  • Unnecessary bureaucracy cut in oceans sector
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  • Patterson promoting NZ’s wool sector at International Congress
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    3 days ago

  • Removing red tape to help early learners thrive
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  • RMA changes to cut coal mining consent red tape
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    4 days ago

  • McClay reaffirms strong NZ-China trade relationship
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    4 days ago

  • Prime Minister Luxon acknowledges legacy of Singapore Prime Minister Lee
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today paid tribute to Singapore’s outgoing Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.   Meeting in Singapore today immediately before Prime Minister Lee announced he was stepping down, Prime Minister Luxon warmly acknowledged his counterpart’s almost twenty years as leader, and the enduring legacy he has left for Singapore and South East ...
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  • PMs Luxon and Lee deepen Singapore-NZ ties
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. While in Singapore as part of his visit to South East Asia this week, Prime Minister Luxon also met with Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and will meet with Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.  During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon ...
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  • Antarctica New Zealand Board appointments
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  • Finance Minister travels to Washington DC
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    4 days ago

  • Pet bonds a win/win for renters and landlords
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    4 days ago

  • Long Tunnel for SH1 Wellington being considered
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    5 days ago

  • New Zealand condemns Iranian strikes
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters have condemned Iran’s shocking and illegal strikes against Israel.    “These attacks are a major challenge to peace and stability in a region already under enormous pressure," Mr Luxon says.    "We are deeply concerned that miscalculation on any side could ...
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  • Huge interest in Government’s infrastructure plans
    Hundreds of people in little over a week have turned out in Northland to hear Regional Development Minister Shane Jones speak about plans for boosting the regional economy through infrastructure. About 200 people from the infrastructure and associated sectors attended an event headlined by Mr Jones in Whangarei today. Last ...
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  • Health Minister thanks outgoing Health New Zealand Chair
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has today thanked outgoing Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora Chair Dame Karen Poutasi for her service on the Board.   “Dame Karen tendered her resignation as Chair and as a member of the Board today,” says Dr Reti.  “I have asked her to ...
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  • Roads of National Significance planning underway
    The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has signalled their proposed delivery approach for the Government’s 15 Roads of National Significance (RoNS), with the release of the State Highway Investment Proposal (SHIP) today, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.  “Boosting economic growth and productivity is a key part of the Government’s plan to ...
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  • Navigating an unstable global environment
    New Zealand is renewing its connections with a world facing urgent challenges by pursuing an active, energetic foreign policy, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.   “Our country faces the most unstable global environment in decades,” Mr Peters says at the conclusion of two weeks of engagements in Egypt, Europe and the United States.    “We cannot afford to sit back in splendid ...
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  • NZ welcomes Australian Governor-General
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced the Australian Governor-General, His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley and his wife Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley, will make a State visit to New Zealand from Tuesday 16 April to Thursday 18 April. The visit reciprocates the State visit of former Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy ...
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    1 week ago

  • Pseudoephedrine back on shelves for Winter
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  • NZ and the US: an ever closer partnership
    New Zealand and the United States have recommitted to their strategic partnership in Washington DC today, pledging to work ever more closely together in support of shared values and interests, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “The strategic environment that New Zealand and the United States face is considerably more ...
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    1 week ago

  • Joint US and NZ declaration
    April 11, 2024 Joint Declaration by United States Secretary of State the Honorable Antony J. Blinken and New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs the Right Honourable Winston Peters We met today in Washington, D.C. to recommit to the historic partnership between our two countries and the principles that underpin it—rule ...
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    1 week ago

  • NZ and US to undertake further practical Pacific cooperation
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