Not a good look
Written By:
- Date published:
11:09 am, June 28th, 2010 - 63 comments
Categories: accountability, Media -
Tags: brian edwards, chris carter, duncan garner, margaret bazley
I’m not going sides in the dispute between Brian Edwards and Duncan Garner over Garner’s targeting of Chris Carter. I think Edwards is wrong to attack Garner’s general worthiness as a political editor, he is one of our best journos, and I think Garner is wrong to attack Edwards’ politics rather than responding to the legitimate issues raised. The level of behaviour all round is unimpressive. The only one who comes out looking good is Margaret Bazley:
Edwards’ post:
It is no secret around Parliament that, roughly 11 months ago, Garner and Carter had a verbal stoush in the Auckland Koru Club. Following the release of the report detailing the 2008 travel expenses of Labour Ministers, Garner had run a TV3 story alleging that Carter was a big-spending Minister whose travel could not be justified in what was essentially a domestic portfolio – Education. The story also referred to Carter’s long-time partner and travelling companion, Peter Kaiser, and included the name of the primary school of which Kaiser is principal.
Not surprisingly, there was bad blood between the two men. Carter and Darren Hughes were in the Koru Club waiting for their flight to Wellington to be called when Garner approached them. He is reported as having said, ‘Travelling on the fucking taxpayer again, Chris.’ Carter told him to ‘fuck off!’
Carter had already taken his seat on the plane when Garner, who had boarded later, stopped next to him, jabbed his finger into Carter’s chest and said loudly, ‘I am going to fucking get you, Carter. If it takes me to Christmas I am going to fucking destroy you.’ Sitting directly behind Carter was Dame Margaret Bazley. Appalled by what she had heard, she commented loudly, ‘What a disgraceful man. You don’t have to put up with rubbish like that on a plane, Mr Carter.’ Garner moved on down the plane.
Though his Christmas deadline was ambitious, Garner appears to have been as good as his word. Just over 3 months later, in the April 7 post, Duncan Garner on Chris Carter – Journalism or Personal Campaign?, I wrote:
‘Garner has now run four stories on Carter’s overseas travel. All four have featured pictures from the Civil Union, mentioning Kaiser’s name and on at least one occasion the name of the school at which he is Principal.
‘Garner’s coverage of Carter’s international travel has begun to take on the complexion of a personal campaign to discredit the MP. In a different context, it would constitute harassment.
‘If I am wrong, I invite Duncan Garner to respond to this blog and, providing nothing in it is defamatory, I undertake to publish that response unedited.
‘If I’m right, TV3 should be considering whether their Political Editor is fit to hold the job.’
Garner did not take up my invitation to deny that he was running a personal campaign to discredit Chris Carter.
I do not want to revisit the issue of Carter’s excessive international travel. He has apologised for the second time. Labour leader Phil Goff has declared himself satisfied with that apology. He has his pound of flesh.
Instead, I want to direct the following questions to TV3′ Head of News and Current Affairs, Mark Jennings:
*Would you consider it acceptable for a Political Editor to say to a Member of Parliament, ‘I am going to fucking get you. If it takes me to Christmas I am going to fucking destroy you.’?
*Could you continue to have confidence in a the integrity and impartiality of a Political Editor who said these words to a Member of Parliament?
*Will you now make enquiries to establish whether your Political Editor, Duncan Garner, did say these words to Chris Carter?
*If those enquiries reveal that Garner did in fact say these words to Chris Carter, will you continue to employ him?
[Oh, and one other silly little enquiry while I’m at it: Why was there a shot of a semi-naked man going into a sauna in last night’s coverage of the Carter apology? Just struck me as a bit queer.]
Garner’s reply:
Brian,
I have never denied there was an incident between myself and Chris, indeed I told everyone about it at the time because I was shocked that Chris would call me by a four letter word – that your version of this story doesn’t reflect.
Unfortunately your version of it is very, very wrong and you do yourself no favours.
You have relied on the word of Chris Carter and even Phil Goff can’t rely on that.
Yes Darren Hughes was there and he will confirm what happened if people wish to approach him.
Darren may even wish to write on this site?
But why rely on my word? Surely the Chief Whip, Mr Hughes will launch a defence of the incident for Mr Carter. Or will he?
I bet he doesn’t. Because Carter behaved disgracefully in the Koru Club that evening and provoked the incident.
I will consider posting the full version on the 3News website tomorrow. I certainly won’t do it here to satisfy former broadcaster and Labour Party raffle ticket seller Brian Edwards.
Because Brian, I am not going to give you the pleasure of writing it on your site. Before you publish your version, you should check your facts – you will be very embarrassed shortly. Once again, in your attempt to defend your Labour mate – you will drag this on and perhaps back into the public arena. Just what Labour needs. What a media strategist you are!!!!
Your version is simply wrong on so many fronts – you expose yourself once again as a sham and a Labour Party hack.
And an increasingly unemployed one at that. Why is Labour now using other ‘mediatrainers’ and not you?
Once again I will consider putting my version on the 3 News website tomorrow.
But one more thing Brian. I also notice that your claim I attacked Chris was because I hated gays and was homophobic? Even Chris says that’s not true now. So where does all this leave your wimpering campaign against me? In tatters.
Once again, rather than taking my word, why doesn’t Darren Hughes post on here now about the Koru Club incident?
Don’t take my word Brian, take his.
Like you challenged me to front to defend myself – I am inviting Darren to tell the full story, to defend Chris. I somehow think he won’t .. but I’m waiting ..
Edwards’ response:
Duncan, I’m not going to respond to your infantile insults. But I will correct some of the things you’ve said in your comment.
I’m not particularly inerested in what was said in the Koru Club. I said in the post that Carter told you to ‘fuck off’. If he used a stronger four-letter word, it makes very little difference. Both of you behaved badly. And, as I also said in the post, ‘Not surprisingly, there was bad blood between the two men.’ Which is why I did not write about this incident at the time.
I have never said that you ‘hated gays’. This is what I said in the post of April 7:
‘There was a barely disguised homophobia in those earlier television reports of Carter’s allegedly spendthrift approach to taxpayer subsidised travel. Considerable emphasis was placed on the fact that he was often accompanied on overseas trips by his partner, Peter Kaiser. Shots of the couple drinking champagne at their Civil Union appeared in almost every story, while photographs of the wives or husbands of other MPs and cabinet ministers on ‘overseas jaunts’ rarely if ever appeared.’
I stand by that. But you might like to explain to me the relevance of the shot in Friday’s 3 News bulletin on Carter’s apology of a half naked man going into a sauna.
Finally, Duncan, the post you complain of, was headed ‘Incident on an Air New Zealand Flight’. What the post was about is your allegedly having said to Carter, ‘‘I am going to fucking get you, Carter. If it takes me to Christmas I am going to fucking destroy you.’ If I were in your shoes, I would consider this the more damaging allegation made about you. Yet not only is there no denial of this event in your reply to me, it is not even mentioned. I would consider that admission by omission. If in fact Carter ‘behaved disgracefully’ to you in the Koru Club before the flight, then you may well feel that what you are alleged to have said to him on the plane was understandable. But it is no less unacceptable from the political editor of a major television network.
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The Greens welcome today’s long-coming announcement by Pharmac of consultation to remove the special authority renewal criteria for methylphenidate, dexamfetamine and modafinil and to fund lisdexamfetamine. ...2 days ago
- Release: Millions to be spent dividing NZ for no reason
The National Party is wasting millions of dollars allowing David Seymour’s Treaty Principals Bill to be drafted and go to Select Committee. ...2 days ago
- Release: New Zealanders departing our shores at a record rate
The Migration figures released by Stats NZ today show National is continuing to drive Kiwis away from New Zealand in record numbers. ...2 days ago
- Te Tai Tokerau MP Slams Govt Overreach in Scrapping Māori Wards
Mema Paremata for Te Tai Tokerau, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi, has reflected on the decisions made by the councils of the North amidst the government’s push to remove Māori Wards and weaken mana whenua representation. “Actions taken by the Kaipara District Council to remove Māori Wards are the embodiment of the eradication ...3 days ago
- Govt already seeking advice on Treaty referendum
On one hand, the Prime Minister has assured Aotearoa that his party will not support the Treaty Principles Bill beyond first reading, but on the other, his Government has already sought advice on holding a referendum on our founding document. ...3 days ago
- Release: Aged care will be worse off if redesign rushed
New Zealanders needing aged care support and the people who care for them will be worse off if the Government pushes through a flawed and rushed redesign of dementia and aged care. ...3 days ago
- Release: Govt fails hundreds of workers as mills close
Labour is devastated at news hundreds of workers are set to lose their jobs following the closure of Winstone Pulp mills. ...3 days ago
- Job losses from mill closures consequence of Govt inaction
Hundreds of jobs lost as a result of pulp mill closures in the Ruapehu District are a consequence of government inaction in addressing the shortfalls of our electricity network. ...4 days ago
- Ngarewa-Packer devastated for Ruapehu following WPI closure
Te Pāti Māori Co-Leader and MP for Te Tai Hauāuru is devastated for the Ruapehu community following today’s decision to close two Winstone Pulp mills. “My heart goes out to all the workers, their whānau, and the wider Ruapehu community affected by the closure of Winstone Pulp International,” said Ngarewa-Packer. ...4 days ago
- Release: Cabinet should stop the Treaty Principles Bill
National Party Ministers have a majority in Cabinet and can stop David Seymour’s Treaty Principles Bill, which even the Prime Minister has described as “divisive and unhelpful.” ...5 days ago
- Release: Staff gagged to keep fast track list secret
The National Government is so determined to hide the list of potential projects that will avoid environmental scrutiny it has gagged Ministry for the Environment staff from talking about it. ...5 days ago
- Release: Labour challenges Te Whatu Ora gag orders
Labour has complained to the Te Kawa Mataaho Public Service Commission about the high number of non-disclosure agreements that have effectively gagged staff at Te Whatu Ora Health NZ from talking about anything relating to their work. ...5 days ago
- Greens call on Treaty Principles Bill to be abandoned after letter from Christian leaders
The Green Party is once again urging the Prime Minister to abandon the Treaty Principles Bill as a letter from more than 400 Christian leaders calls for the proposed legislation to be dropped. ...5 days ago
- Sign the petition: Keep military-style firearms off our streets
Help us tell the Government that reintroducing military-style firearms should not be up for debate. ...1 week ago
- Vast majority of councils support Māori wards
Councils across the country have now decided where they stand regarding Māori wards, with a resounding majority in favour of keeping them in what is a significant setback for the Government. ...1 week ago
- Release: Government on the wrong side of Māori wards
The National-led government has been given a clear message from the local government sector, as almost all councils reject the Government’s bid to treat Māori wards different to other wards. ...1 week ago
- Release: Labour congratulates Kuīni Ngā Wai hono i te po Paki
The Labour Party congratulates Kuīni Ngā Wai hono i te po Paki on being crowned as the eighth Te Ariki Nui – head of Te Kiingitanga. ...1 week ago
- Green Party welcomes new Maaori Kuiini
The Green Party welcomes the coronation of the new Maaori Kuiini, Te Arikinui Nga Wai Hono i te Po, today in Turangawaewae. ...1 week ago
- ECE teachers deserve better than this Government
The Green Party is unsurprised but disappointed by today’s announcement from the Government that will see our Early Childhood Centre teachers undermined and pay parity pushed further out of reach. ...1 week ago
- Urgent intervention needed on supermarkets
The Green Party is calling on the Government to intervene in the supermarket duopoly dominating our supply of groceries following today’s report from the Commerce Commission. ...1 week ago
- Release: Rainbow youth neglected in mental health funding
Labour backs the call from The Rainbow Support Collective members for mental health funding specifically earmarked for grassroots and peer led community organisations to be set up in a way that they are able to access. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Transport in NZ has to be more than just roads
As expected, the National Land Transport Programme lacks ambition for our cities and our country’s rail network and puts the majority of investment into roads. ...2 weeks ago
- Speech: Barbara Edmonds Building Nations 2024
Tēnā koutou katoa, Thank you for your warm welcome and for having my colleagues and I here today. Earlier you heard from the Labour Leader, Chris Hipkins, on our vision for the future of infrastructure. I want to build on his comments and provide further detail on some key elements ...2 weeks ago
- Govt transport plan deepens fossil fuel fix
The Green Party says the Government’s new National Land Transport Programme marks another missed opportunity to take meaningful action to fight the climate crisis. ...2 weeks ago
- Greens call for public to back Wrybill in BOTY and beyond
The Green Party is calling on the public to support the Ngutu Pare Wrybill not just in this year’s Bird of the Year competition but also in pushing back against policies that could lead to the destruction of its habitat and accelerate its extinction. ...2 weeks ago
- Building consents data bad news for construction
News that the annual number of building consents granted for new homes fell by more than 20 percent for the year ended July 2024, is bad news for the construction industry. ...2 weeks ago
- Te Pāti Māori Pay Tribute to Kiingi Tūheitia Pōtatau Te Wherowhero VII
Papā te whatitiri, hikohiko te uira, i kanapu ki te rangi, i whētuki i raro rā, rū ana te whenua e. Uea te pou o tōku whare kia tū tangata he kapua whakairi nāku nā runga o Taupiri. Ko taku kiri ka tōkia ki te anu mātao. E te iwi ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Gaps still to be addressed in callouts response
The Government must guarantee New Zealanders will not be at risk after making changes to the way mental health callouts are handled. ...2 weeks ago
- Poroporoaki: Kiingi Tuheitia passing
Haere e te Kīngi o te kotahitangi Haere ki o nui, ki o rahi I te pō ...2 weeks ago
- Green Party pays respects to Kiingi Tuuheitia
The Green Party is paying tribute to the Māori King, Kiingi Tuuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero XVII, after he passed away earlier this morning. ...2 weeks ago
- Potaka Brings Whakaata Māori to its Knees
Today’s Whakaata Māori announcement is yet another colossal failure from Minister Potaka, who has turned his back on te reo Māori, forcing a channel offline, putting whānau out of jobs, and cutting Māori content, says Te Pāti Māori. “A Senior Māori Minister has turned his back on Te Reo Māori. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: National restricts access to disability care homes
With disability communities still reeling from the diminishing of Whaikaha, a leaked document now reveals another blow with National restricting access to residential care homes. ...2 weeks ago
- Reo Māori the ‘beating heart’ of Aotearoa New Zealand
From private business to the Paris Olympics, reo Māori is growing with the success of New Zealanders, says Minister for Māori Development Tama Potaka. “I’m joining New Zealanders across the country in celebrating this year’s Te Wiki o te Reo Māori – Māori Language Week, which has a big range ...5 hours ago - Need and value at forefront of public service delivery
New Cabinet policy directives will ensure public agencies prioritise public services on the basis of need and award Government contracts on the basis of public value, Minister for the Public Service Nicola Willis says. “Cabinet Office has today issued a circular to central government organisations setting out the Government’s expectations ...1 day ago
- Minister to attend Police Ministers Council Meeting
Police Minister Mark Mitchell will join with Australian Police Ministers and Commissioners at the Police Ministers Council meeting (PMC) today in Melbourne. “The council is an opportunity to come together to discuss a range of issues, gain valuable insights on areas of common interest, and different approaches towards law enforcement ...1 day ago
- New Bill to crack down on youth vaping
The coalition Government has introduced legislation to tackle youth vaping, Associate Health Minister Casey Costello announced today. “The Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Amendment Bill (No 2) is aimed at preventing youth vaping. “While vaping has contributed to a significant fall in our smoking rates, the rise in youth vaping ...2 days ago
- Interest in agricultural and horticultural products regulatory review welcomed
Regulation Minister David Seymour, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds, and Food Safety Minister Andrew Hoggard have welcomed interest in the agricultural and horticultural products regulatory review. The review by the Ministry for Regulation is looking at how to speed up the process to get farmers and growers access to the safe, ...2 days ago
- Bill to allow online charity lotteries passes first reading
Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Government is moving at pace to ensure lotteries for charitable purposes are allowed to operate online permanently. Charities fundraising online, such as those run by the Heart Foundation, Coastguard NZ, Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust and local hospices will continue to do ...2 days ago
- Tax exempt threshold changes to benefit startups
Technology companies are among the startups which will benefit from increases to current thresholds of exempt employee share schemes, Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins and Revenue Minister Simon Watts say. Tax exempt thresholds for the schemes are increasing as part of the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2024-25, Emergency ...2 days ago
- Getting the healthcare you need, when you need it
The path to faster cancer treatment, an increase in immunisation rates, shorter stays in emergency departments and quick assessment and treatments when you are sick has been laid out today. Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has revealed details of how the ambitious health targets the Government has set will be ...2 days ago
- Targeted supports to accelerate reading
The coalition Government is delivering targeted and structured literacy supports to accelerate learning for struggling readers. From Term 1 2025, $33 million of funding for Reading Recovery and Early Literacy Support will be reprioritised to interventions which align with structured approaches to teaching. “Structured literacy will change the way children ...2 days ago
- Survivors invited to Abuse in Care national apology
With two months until the national apology to survivors of abuse in care, expressions of interest have opened for survivors wanting to attend. “The Prime Minister will deliver a national apology on Tuesday 12 November in Parliament. It will be a very significant day for survivors, their families, whānau and ...2 days ago
- Rangatahi inspire at Ngā Manu Kōrero final
Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini kē - My success is not mine alone but is the from the strength of the many. Aotearoa New Zealand’s top young speakers are an inspiration for all New Zealanders to learn more about the depth and beauty conveyed ...2 days ago
- Driving structured literacy in schools
The coalition Government is driving confidence in reading and writing in the first years of schooling. “From the first time children step into the classroom, we’re equipping them and teachers with the tools they need to be brilliant in literacy. “From 1 October, schools and kura with Years 0-3 will receive ...3 days ago
- Labour’s misleading information is disappointing
Labour’s misinformation about firearms law is dangerous and disappointing, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee says. “Labour and Ginny Andersen have repeatedly said over the past few days that the previous Labour Government completely banned semi-automatic firearms in 2019 and that the Coalition Government is planning to ‘reintroduce’ them. ...3 days ago
- Govt takes action on mpox response, widens access to vaccine
The Government is taking immediate action on a number of steps around New Zealand’s response to mpox, including improving access to vaccine availability so people who need it can do so more easily, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti and Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced today. “Mpox is obviously a ...3 days ago
- Next steps agreed for Treaty Principles Bill
Associate Justice Minister David Seymour says Cabinet has agreed to the next steps for the Treaty Principles Bill. “The Treaty Principles Bill provides an opportunity for Parliament, rather than the courts, to define the principles of the Treaty, including establishing that every person is equal before the law,” says Mr Seymour. “Parliament ...3 days ago
- Government unlocking potential of AI
Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins today announced a programme to drive Artificial Intelligence (AI) uptake among New Zealand businesses. “The AI Activator will unlock the potential of AI for New Zealand businesses through a range of support, including access to AI research experts, technical assistance, AI tools and resources, ...3 days ago
- Government releases Wairoa flood review findings
The independent rapid review into the Wairoa flooding event on 26 June 2024 has been released, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown and Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell announced today. “We welcome the review’s findings and recommendations to strengthen Wairoa's resilience against future events,” Ms ...3 days ago
- Promoting faster payment times for government
The Government is sending a clear message to central government agencies that they must prioritise paying invoices in a timely manner, Small Business and Manufacturing Minister Andrew Bayly says. Data released today promotes transparency by publishing the payment times of each central government agency. This data will be published quarterly ...3 days ago
- Acknowledgement to Kīngi Tuheitia speech
E te māngai o te Whare Pāremata, kua riro māku te whakaputa i te waka ki waho moana. E te Pirimia tēnā koe.Mr Speaker, it is my privilege to take this adjournment kōrero forward. Prime Minister – thank you for your leadership. Taupiri te maunga Waikato te awa Te Wherowhero ...4 days ago
- Interim fix to GST adjustment rules to support businesses
Inland Revenue can begin processing GST returns for businesses affected by a historic legislative drafting error, Revenue Minister Simon Watts says. “Inland Revenue has become aware of a legislative drafting error in the GST adjustment rules after changes were made in 2023 which were meant to simplify the process. This ...4 days ago
- Strong uptake for cervical screening self-test
More than 80 per cent of New Zealand women being tested have opted for a world-leading self-test for cervical screening since it became available a year ago. Minister of Health Dr Shane Reti and Associate Minister Casey Costello, in her responsibility for Women’s Health, say it’s fantastic to have such ...4 days ago
- Ministry for Regulation’s first Strategic Intentions document sets ambitious direction
Regulation Minister David Seymour welcomes the Ministry for Regulation’s first Strategic Intentions document, which sets out how the Ministry will carry out its work and deliver on its purpose. “I have set up the Ministry for Regulation with three tasks. One, to cut existing red tape with sector reviews. Two, ...4 days ago
- Māori Education Advisory Group established
The Education Minister has established a Māori Education Ministerial Advisory Group made up of experienced practitioners to help improve outcomes for Māori learners. “This group will provide independent advice on all matters related to Māori education in both English medium and Māori medium settings. It will focus on the most impactful ways we can lift ...4 days ago
- Government welcomes findings of NZ Superannuation Fund review
The Government has welcomed the findings of the recent statutory review into the Guardians of New Zealand Superannuation and the New Zealand Superannuation Fund, Minister of Finance Nicola Willis says. The 5-yearly review, conducted on behalf of Treasury and tabled in Parliament today, found the Guardians of New Zealand Superannuation ...4 days ago
- First of five new Hercules aircraft takes flight
Defence Minister Judith Collins today welcomed the first of five new C-130J-30 Hercules to arrive in New Zealand at a ceremony at the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s Base Auckland, Whenuapai. “This is an historic day for our New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) and our nation. The new Hercules fleet ...4 days ago
- Have your say on suicide prevention
Today, September 10 is World Suicide Prevention Day, a time to reflect on New Zealand’s confronting suicide statistics, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says. “Every death by suicide is a tragedy – a tragedy that affects far too many of our families and communities in New Zealand. We must do ...4 days ago
- Action to grow the rural health workforce
Scholarships awarded to 27 health care students is another positive step forward to boost the future rural health workforce, Associate Health Minister Matt Doocey says. “All New Zealanders deserve timely access to quality health care and this Government is committed to improving health outcomes, particularly for the one in five ...5 days ago
- Pharmac delivering more for Kiwis following major funding boost
Associate Health Minister with responsibility for Pharmac David Seymour has welcomed the increased availability of medicines for Kiwis resulting from the Government’s increased investment in Pharmac. “Pharmac operates independently, but it must work within the budget constraints set by the Government,” says Mr Seymour. “When our Government assumed office, New ...5 days ago
- Sport Minister congratulates NZ’s Paralympians
Sport & Recreation Minister Chris Bishop has congratulated New Zealand's Paralympic Team at the conclusion of the Paralympic Games in Paris. “The NZ Paralympic Team's success in Paris included fantastic performances, personal best times, New Zealand records and Oceania records all being smashed - and of course, many Kiwis on ...5 days ago
- Government progresses response to Abuse in Care recommendations
A Crown Response Office is being established within the Public Service Commission to drive the Government’s response to the Royal Commission into Abuse in Care. “The creation of an Office within a central Government agency was a key recommendation by the Royal Commission’s final report. “It will have the mandate ...1 week ago
- Passport wait times back on-track
Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says passport processing has returned to normal, and the Department of Internal Affairs [Department] is now advising customers to allow up to two weeks to receive their passport. “I am pleased that passport processing is back at target service levels and the Department ...1 week ago
- New appointments to the FMA board
Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister has today announced three new appointments and one reappointment to the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) board. Tracey Berry, Nicholas Hegan and Mariette van Ryn have been appointed for a five-year term ending in August 2029, while Chris Swasbrook, who has served as a board member ...1 week ago
- District Court judges appointed
Attorney-General Hon Judith Collins today announced the appointment of two new District Court judges. The appointees, who will take up their roles at the Manukau Court and the Auckland Court in the Accident Compensation Appeal Jurisdiction, are: Jacqui Clark Judge Clark was admitted to the bar in 1988 after graduating ...1 week ago
- Government makes it faster and easier to invest in New Zealand
Associate Minister of Finance David Seymour is encouraged by significant improvements to overseas investment decision timeframes, and the enhanced interest from investors as the Government continues to reform overseas investment. “There were about as many foreign direct investment applications in July and August as there was across the six months ...1 week ago
- New Zealand to join Operation Olympic Defender
New Zealand has accepted an invitation to join US-led multi-national space initiative Operation Olympic Defender, Defence Minister Judith Collins announced today. Operation Olympic Defender is designed to coordinate the space capabilities of member nations, enhance the resilience of space-based systems, deter hostile actions in space and reduce the spread of ...1 week ago
- Government commits to ‘stamping out’ foot and mouth disease
Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard says that a new economic impact analysis report reinforces this government’s commitment to ‘stamp out’ any New Zealand foot and mouth disease incursion. “The new analysis, produced by the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research, shows an incursion of the disease in New Zealand would have ...1 week ago
- Improving access to finance for Kiwis
5 September 2024 The Government is progressing further reforms to financial services to make it easier for Kiwis to access finance when they need it, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says. “Financial services are foundational for economic success and are woven throughout our lives. Without access to finance our ...1 week ago
- Prime Minister pays tribute to Kiingi Tuheitia
As Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII is laid to rest today, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has paid tribute to a leader whose commitment to Kotahitanga will have a lasting impact on our country. “Kiingi Tuheitia was a humble leader who served his people with wisdom, mana and an unwavering ...1 week ago
- Resource Management reform to make forestry rules clearer
Forestry Minister Todd McClay today announced proposals to reform the resource management system that will provide greater certainty for the forestry sector and help them meet environmental obligations. “The Government has committed to restoring confidence and certainty across the sector by removing unworkable regulatory burden created by the previous ...1 week ago
- More choice and competition in building products
A major shake-up of building products which will make it easier and more affordable to build is on the way, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Today we have introduced legislation that will improve access to a wider variety of quality building products from overseas, giving Kiwis more choice and ...1 week ago
- The Secret Diary of .. Sheriff Seymour
MONDAYIt was a bright cold day in September, and the clocks were striking thirteen. A cold wind swept through the main street of Dodge. Rain was headed over the mountain range and would wash all the scum off the streets – but not if Sheriff Seymour, First Minister of Moral Conduct and ...11 hours ago - It Ends With Us ends with drama
Is the feud between the co-stars of It Ends With Us a genuine clash of creative minds or simply a clever marketing strategy that’s spiralled out of control?The highly anticipated film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s best-selling novel hit cinemas last month and as soon as the cast stepped onto the ...11 hours ago
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Last Friday at 7pm, Auckland’s ‘first annual’ hoedown began at the Grey Lynn RSC. Gabi Lardies was there to attempt a line dance. My pink cowgirl hat waited patiently in the lounge all week, quietly anticipating Friday night from her perch atop the couch’s arm rest. When I saw her, ...11 hours ago - The Weekend: When an email changes your life
Madeleine Chapman reflects on the week (and 10 years) that was. A lot of big things have happened in my life thanks to my motto of “just do one thing”. As a teenager, I was perfectly content at the high school all my older sisters went to, but my mum ...12 hours ago
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The star of Double Parked takes us through her life in television, including a quest to find Play School pens and a glitter disaster on The Tribe. She’s best known for Outrageous Fortune, Westside and Double Parked, but Antonia Prebble also holds a unique television accolade: most onscreen births performed ...12 hours ago
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Indie darling Molly Payton shares her perfect weekend playlist. Tāmaki Makaurau’s Molly Payton is close to wrapping up a tour across the UK and Europe, off the back of her debut album, Yoyotta. The 10-track record, inspired by the stylings of Big Thief, Leonard Cohen and Joni Mitchell, sees Payton ...12 hours ago
- The slow and painful process of falling in love with my son
A lockdown birth, an abortion, and an excruciating back injury: Annie Wolfe traversed three hospital rooms on her hard road to motherhood. The Spinoff Essay showcases the best essayists in Aotearoa, on topics big and small. Made possible by the generous support of our members. Mum dropped me off at the ...12 hours ago
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Sam Brooks reviews the latest novel from one of NZ’s modern crime queens. It’s 2024, and we’re officially in the era of Covid art. After the deaths, after the lockdowns, after the vaccines, it was sort of inevitable. The entire world went through something, and now the artists have the ...12 hours ago
- Podcast: What drove the RBNZ’s surprise cut to the official cash rate?
The Reserve Bank hopes high frequency data will better equip the central bank to see the road ahead more clearly – but warns we’re not ready to relax into cruise control just yet. The Reserve Bank’s recent pivot to cut the official cash rate, despite weeks earlier stating that ...12 hours ago
- Universal Road User Charges Needed To Future-Proof Transport Funding
Interim Chief Executive Dom Kalasih says while paying fuel excise at-the-pump was convenient for drivers, changes in vehicle technology and variability in fuel consumption meant it wasn’t an effective way of vehicle users paying a fair contribution towards ...18 hours ago - Government’s Plans For Infrastructure Are “Promising” – Templer
Now, Templer is hopeful these initiatives will help projects get started soon and that there will be consistent management of the pipeline of infrastructure projects and workforce needed to ensure their delivery. ...18 hours ago
- West Papuan independence advocate seeks NZ support against ‘genocide, ecocide’
SPECIAL REPORT: By Te Aniwaniwa Paterson of Te Ao Māori News West Papuan independence advocate Octo Mote is in Aotearoa New Zealand to win support for independence for West Papua, which has been ruled by Indonesia for more than 60 years. Mote is vice-president of the United Liberation Movement for ...19 hours ago - Waitangi Tribunal findings on customary marine title changes no surprise to iwi leader
The Waitangi Tribunal has hit out at the government for blindly adhering to its coalition agreement by making it harder for Māori to get customary marine title. ...21 hours ago - Get set for more extreme weather across Australia this spring and summer
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrew King, Senior Lecturer in Climate Science, The University of Melbourne Australia is no stranger to extreme weather. From heatwaves and droughts to flooding rains, hailstorms or fire weather, our continent experiences it all. To help Australians prepare for these hazards, ...22 hours ago
- Are you ready for it? What a Taylor Swift endorsement means for Kamala Harris
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Emma Shortis, Adjunct Senior Fellow, School of Global, Urban and Social Studies, RMIT University As the US Presidential debate wrapped up on Wednesday, commentators and journalists regrouped and drew breath. But then, enter Taylor Swift. The pop superstar posted her endorsement ...22 hours ago
- What the government’s home care changes mean for ageing Australians
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tracy Comans, Executive Director, National Ageing Research Institute; Professor, Centre for Health Services Research, The University of Queensland pikselstock/Shutterstock The Albanese government has this week announced it will introduce one of the largest reforms to Australia’s aged-care sector to date. The ...22 hours ago
- Government exploring ‘all options’ to deal with demand for aged care – Minister
Minister for Seniors Casey Costello insists the government is not considering any spending cuts. ...22 hours ago
- A billionaire and an engineer have completed the first private spacewalk. But this isn’t just a va...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gail Iles, Associate Professor – Physics, RMIT University Two astronauts have carried out the first-ever commercial spacewalk, using new less-bulky spacesuits designed by SpaceX. Tech billionaire Jared Isaacman (who also funded the mission) and SpaceX engineer Sarah Gillis together spent almost ...23 hours ago
- Samoan journalists blast ‘ridiculous’ media restrictions at Commonwealth summit
By Harry Pearl Restrictions on journalists covering an upcoming summit of Commonwealth nations in Samoa are “ridiculous” and at odds with a government that purportedly values democracy, says the Pacific island country’s media association. The Samoa Observer newspaper in an editorial also condemned the government’s attempt to limit coverage of ...24 hours ago
- The Week in Politics: David Seymour’s dragon soon to be unleashed
Analysis - David Seymour's Treaty Principles Bill is a step closer to Parliament, and Chris Hipkins' hints his party could go into the next election with a radical tax policy. ...24 hours ago
- Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke wins young world politician of the year award
Maipi-Clarke says the award is an honour, as is her day job. ...24 hours ago
- Your gas stove might be making your asthma worse. Here’s what you can do about it
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nusrat Homaira, Senior Lecturer, School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Sydney Kwon Junho/Unsplash We may think of air pollution as an outdoor problem, made up of car exhaust and smog. But if the air inside our homes is polluted, this can also ...24 hours ago
- The death of printed newspapers has long been predicted – but there are still some pleasing signs ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrea Carson, 2024 Oxford University visiting research fellow RIJS; Professor of Political Communication., La Trobe University Shutterstock This piece is part of a series on the Future of Australian media. You can read the rest of the series here. When ...1 day ago
- Needs Not Race Directive Threatens Progress We’ve Made As Country
The Government has taken a decision based on ideology which fundamentally impacts Māori without consulting Māori. There’s a clear pattern here of a government again setting out to divide New Zealand. No-one voted for that. ...1 day ago
- Crown knew it legally had to pay midwives better, court hears
Health ministers' comments prove the Crown knew it breached legally binding agreements to improve midwives' pay and contracts, a lawyer has told the court. ...1 day ago
- Local Government Freshwater Protections Must Not Be Hamstrung By Anti-nature Government
Successive Govts have failed to regulate NZ’s worst freshwater polluter - the intensive dairy industry, who pollute lakes, rivers and drinking water with contaminants like E coli and nitrate. And now, Luxon’s govt is removing the only effective freshwater ...1 day ago
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Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alison Reeve, Deputy Program Director, Energy and Climate Change, Grattan Institute Producing hydrogen remains vital to Australia’s prosperity through the net-zero transition, according to a major strategy that lays a national pathway to becoming a global leader in the low-emissions technology. The ...1 day ago
- A new law aims to tackle online lies – but it ignores expert advice and doesn’t go nearly far en...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Daniel Angus, Professor of Digital Communication, Director of QUT Digital Media Research Centre, Queensland University of Technology The federal government this week introduced a new bill into parliament aimed at cracking down on the spread of misinformation and disinformation on the internet. ...1 day ago
- The Friday Poem: ‘Beige Thoughts’ by Sherry Zhang
A poem by 2024 Young Writer in Residence Sherry Zhang. My favourite beige activity is 2048. I started playing on a 12 hour long flight before my 24th birthday. These transient spaces become forced group meditation. I usually let my death anxiety spiral. This time, I let my arms ...1 day ago
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The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington. AUCKLAND 1 Make It Make Sense by Lucy Blakiston & Bel Hawkins (Moa Press, $37) The bright brains ...1 day ago
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Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sarah Tillott, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Health, Southern Cross University Think back to when you met someone for the first time. One of the first questions you asked, or were asked, was likely: “what do you do for work?” It’s a polite, ...1 day ago
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Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alexander Gillespie, Professor of Law, University of Waikato Ali Jadallah/Anadolu via Getty Images The Gaza crisis is a major moral and legal challenge for New Zealand’s sense of national identity, and to its worldview based on rules and principles rather than ...1 day ago
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Why write another post on this that just cuts and pastes the links from Sprout’s post?
[lprent: You’re assuming that there is an editorial policy – which doesn’t exist. It is a coop blog – not a news organisation. The authors usually write independently and post independently. Consequently it isn’t unusual to get two or more posts on the same topic quite close together on a breaking story. Sometimes the authors even agree with each other.
See the about. ]
[Just some context, for example, this post of Eddie’s was written and scheduled last night, Sprout’s post germinated this morning and was posted right away. It’s cheerful chaos back here in the engine room! — r0b]
[sprout: my mistake, i should’ve read the scheduled posts more carefully in the first place – apologies to eddie]
I guess it’s better to have been a ‘Labour Party raffle ticket seller’ than to be a Crosby|Textor lap dog: ‘Jump Duncan’; Duncan jumps and it seems, this time, lands in a mess of his own making.
Not really a good look for Garner. Not as professional as he should be.
Yeah, I thought it was pathetic when Duncan broke the “secret National tapes” story. Crosby Textor fed that story to him, obviously.
Not really a good look for Garner. Not as professional as he should be.
The professional media are supposed to be unbiased. It is understandable when the amateur blogs (like this one,Red Alert, Kiwiblog, or Gotcha!) run a campaign against an individual but for a professional news organisation to do so is unacceptable.
I think it’s not only understandable but perfectly acceptable for a blog to campaign against someone – they wear their bias on their sleeves. the problem for garner here is that he has revealed a big bias and his work requires him to be considered objective.
“but for a professional news organisation to (run a campaign against an individual) is unacceptable.”
You’re kidding me on aren’t you? Which individual should we begin with in an illustrative list that would be as long as a ‘soft, strong and very, very, very long’ roll of bog paper.
One of the interesting things about this story is that you guys seem to have forgotten that it was Duncan Garner who ran a number of stories in 2008 regarding secret taping at the National Party conference. The Standard had multiple posts prior to the 08 election based on Garner’s revelations via Kees Kiezer.
All that this shows is that Garner runs with the hare and hunts with the hounds, as do most political journalists. If he publicly made the statement he is alleged to have made to Carter, than is a serious lapse in judgment, and unprofessional. But it’s stretching credibility for the left to accuse Garner having an agenda against Labour when the left was happy to use Garner as an authoirty on National’s so-called “secret agenda”.
Sorry guys; you can’t have it both ways
The suggestion is it’s an agenda against Carter, not Labour.
I2, if you are saying Garner put the taper up to the caper then you’d have a point. But the way I understand it, the taper drip fed the tapes to Garner, leaving Garner in the position of “do I run an exclusive or do I not run the story and let my competitors have an exclusive’
Which is a decision even Garner can get right, even on a bad day.
In other words, this…
“based on Garner’s revelations via Kees Kiezer.”
…is completely arse backwards.
Yes this does not appear to be an agenda against Labour. In fact for that matter the Kees Keizer recordings were not an agenda against National. If anything the use of a mole to secure embarrassing quotes made Labour look bad.
Considering that Labour didn’t actually have anything to do with it – no it didn’t.
And if someone had revealed that the guy taping National Party conversations was a senior political editor who had a grudge against Bill English, we might have been having a similar conversation then. The fact is that the two situations compare like apples and oranges.
have to side with the doctor on this one.
garner is a lightweight with heavyweight pretensions.
where did he come from and how did he get his present position is the question.
garners politics are the politics of personality and envy so he should take it on the chin when the chickens come home to rosst.
garner should get a real job and be a man about it.
This appears to be Garner V Carter with Venom. (Not Labour.)
In 2008 it was Garner V W. Peters with Venom. (TV 3 Meet the Leaders.)
Gladiatorial combat it should not be, especially when the defence is denied.
This whole incident demonstrates both the quality of the media and politicians. Both sides need to get out of the mud and pick up their game.
An interesting parallel with the resignation of reporter Dave Weigel from the Washington Post. Weigel quit because of leaked personal emails in which he was scathing about the intellectual capacity of Tea Party activists and Republican staffers. His job was to monitor the conservative movement in the states and their was no serious complaint about bias in the actual articles he wrote, but it was clear his personal feeling was that the people he was reporting on were idiots.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/06/25/dave-weigels-firing-the-b_n_625836.html
(not a big fan of the Huffington, just the first article that came up when I googled it)
Weigel handed in a resignation letter on the basis that the mere perception of possible bias was enough to render his job untenable. Compare that with Garner, who has admitted targetting Carter, but doesn’t seem to realise that renders him totally and completely unsuitable to fill the senior political reporter role. With a bit of luck, his employers will understand what he doesn’t, and sack him.
Well found and well put VOR.
Richard Harmon has come out in defence of the Garners bias.
If it is OK for the PM to blur accountability then it seeps through others. It is a sort of decay of integrity.
I think he’s watched All The Presidents Men too many times and fancies himself as Woodward/Bernstein type, when in reality he is more Azamat Bagatov from Borat.
So many on this site think I need to resign because I’m biased against Labour. What a load of horse shit. Which stories have I done on Carter that don’t stack up on the facts?
If I had a dollar for everytime some said I was biased towards a political party I’d be in the Wairarapa blogging and growing grapes and wondering how to spend the dosh.
In 2008 I was accused of being in Labour’s pockets. Now I’m apparently anti Labour. It doesn’t stack up guys.You can’t have it both ways. You know it. Ask Phil Goff if I’m biased towards one party? Ask John Key? Ask Helen Clark? Ask Jim Bolger? Ask Jenny Shipley?
Get real.
[lprent: There is a good probability that this is a fake Duncan Garner. ]
[lprent: Checked and the e-mail is correct. ]
No, I think it’s more because you appear to be a homophobic lightweight with an axe to grind, Duncan. I haven’t spotted that many comments saying you are ‘biased against labour’ and should therefore resign. If you think it is acceptable journalistic practise to target a person in this way, then more fool you. It’s not ethical, it lets down your viewers and your employer and calls into question the impartiality of you and your colleagues.
Just for the hell of it, can I ask you to clarify what remarks you said to Carter? And did you assault him? If you have said anything like ‘I’m going to get you’ or pushed the man, as alleged, you should do the decent thing and resign. At least Carter eventually got round to acknowledging his mistakes. Can you?
Ask Phil Goff if I’m biased towards one party? Ask John Key? Ask Helen Clark? Ask Jim Bolger? Ask Jenny Shipley?
Get real.
You get real. Unless you’re gonna give me their numbers so i can ask them it aint gonna happen.
besides I’m sure they got better things to do than talk about you.
“So many on this site think I need to resign because I’m biased…. What a load of horse shit. Which stories have I done on Carter that don’t stack up on the facts?”
Please tell me that isn’t all you think bias amounts to?
I think you need to be sacked (not resign) because you haven’t backed off and let someone else cover stories about a person who you have an obvious personal issue with, and cannot be trusted to cover objectively, and have left yourself open to accusations of a set-up, regardless of whether your program had an excuse to run the story, or even if it’s factual. There were already objections to the framing of the issue as gay-bashing before the personal conflict was in the public square.
What this boils down to is that there is an incredible lack of journalistic ethic in our print and television news, and you’re just part of the problem. I could care less if it was Labour, National, (although for some strange reason, the press is always on best behaviour with National) New Zealand First, or the National Front that you were covering. You have a professional obligation to avoid even the perception of a conflict of interest. What’s really depressing is that you seem to need bloggers to lecture you on the fact.
As to asking (former) PMs if you’re biased- that’s a laugh, they’d be seen as whining if they answered in the affirmative, so it’s a rather pointless exercise. In a functional media market, you’d be responsible to media critics, but we don’t bother with that sort of thing in New Zealand, because we don’t really have “news” anymore- just boring attempts at infotainment where I get very little information on actual policy and far more about personality politics and What The Government Has Decided to Leak This Time.
Duncan Garner: You would have to be a bit blind. No one is saying that you were biased against Labour. Most are saying you have a thing about Carter. It is a Garner V Carter to my eyes. Way over the top. You have a politician’s style and look as though you want to deflect, and no doubt hope that folk will not notice that the primary issue remains.
In my opinion Garner is obsessed with Carter. Biased.
Wonder why?
Ianmac,
I assure you I am not obsessed with Chris Carter. Or any other Honourable Member.
Cheers
[lprent: There is a good probability that this is a fake Duncan Garner. ]
[lprent: Checked and the e-mail is correct. ]
So that clears it up then you do not have an obsession with Chris Carter. I guess it is normal behaviour to be yelling obscenities at an MP (or whatever happened with Carter) in a public place.
I think the problem is you have been immersed in the mud slinging world of political reporting for so long that you have lost perspective. Maybe you need to send some time in the Wairarapa growing grapes to gain a sense of what is ‘normal’ again.
Prior to the last election I emailed Duncan Garner strongly criticizing him for being anti National in his writings.
Its funny how Labour supporters are now claiming the opposite.
The one thing that impressed me about Duncan was he had the decency to respond to my email.
Whilst he might infuriate a lot of people ( on both sides ) he dosent hide his identity like a lot of posters on this site and those of us who respond
[lprent: Wrong. Arguably I’m the rudest and most obnoxious person on this site in comments, notes, and posts. I state things pretty much how I see them and I really can’t be bothered with being polite. Similarly I don’t exactly have a moderate reputation when I comment on other sites. Yet my name is well-known. The only reason I bother use a pseudonym is because it is shorter to type (and was my original login at Waikato 3 decades ago).
You really should reduce the amount you wank off in public. It really makes you look like a miserably stupid luser. ]
My (personal) issue with Duncan is that the news he presents is not left to be news in its own right – instead there is a need to editorialise everything (‘this is not a good look for X’, ‘the public won’t like this’ etc) – for the ‘I told you so’, or ‘I was there when…’ effect.
There appears to be a problem with journalists aspiring to become part of the news they report, or get the story moving in the direction they want so they can say ‘I told you so’, or ‘wasn’t I right on this?’ etc.
Same with the ads in TV regarding the abilities and actions of the news presenters – be it Mike McRoberts or John Campbell (holding people to account etc). No longer can they simply present the news and leave it for the people to judge the merits of it, instead we have to have a personal analysis of events – which inevitably leads to questions of bias (hence the frustration and calls of bias on both sides). That’s really what’s wrong.
It makes sense that (as part of a ‘news’ organisation) you want to have the scoop, the credibility of being perceived to know what’s going on (and what may happen in the future), and the ability to become ensconced in the latest headline issues, but the way it’s done in NZ generally lacks neutrality (both sides of an issue critically assessed), the end-product is clearly targetted at the lowest-common demoninator, and the result is that issues are skewed and/or muddied to the detriment of real political discourse.
/my two cents
That’s absolutely an issue with all sorts of news. But I don’t think it really has anything to do with Garner or this situation in specific. 🙂
Just a response to Duncan’s earlier post (10.0), and to the issue generally – hence the ‘/my two cents’.
BUT – I think it does relate – rather than merely ‘presenting’ news re Carter there is editorilising to spin this however Garner/TV3 etc believe will best get the punters watching/sell advertising real estate/cater to their own egos/pride.
This can lead to perceptions of bias, AND can get journalists in deeper than necessary, leading to the events that may or may not have transpired.
– that makes four cents.
Oh, I agree, but it’s not really what I think he did wrong in this case. That’s just poor-quality journalism in general.
That doesn’t matter. The issue is that you must be above any perception of having engaged in a personal grudge during your reporting, and that you failed to meet the ethical standards required of you on the job. Your actual behaviour with regards to the story or any actual grudge are irrelevant- you knew there was an issue but you didn’t hand off the story.
Hi Duncan,
Obsessions aside, was it, or is it, your intention to end Chris Carter’s political career – using some of the opportunities, time and resources available to you as TV3’s political editor – because Chris Carter insulted you (or provided some similar, personal motive for such an intention)?
I’ll just switch the channel or turn off the tv next time he pops up.
Btw, what is the email for the TV3 editor?
I don’t think Garner’s biased against Labour and Eddie makes the point of not taking sides. There’s clearly an issue with Carter and Garner though.
A rule of responsible behaviour I was taught was “Unless you want to be seen as a loud mouthed bully you should keep you personal thoughts about individuals to yourself… especially if you are in a position of responsibility or where your personal integrity was the basis of your credibility.” Such a rule appears to be eminently sensible especially if you are a senior journalist or, for that matter, a politician.
To declare that you would use your position to destroy another is nothing more than an abuse of one’s perception of power and position.
Firstly, this does not relate to the blog post – please forgive the digression.
I have never felt compelled to comment before but Iprent’s comment to Mark M has prompted me to swim with the sharks.
Mark seemed to make a fairly reasonable point and I don’t think it was neccessary to call him a “stupid luser” [sic]. Such a response probably makes Jo and Jane Bloggs apprehensive about posting a comment on this site in case he or she comes under fire for having an opinion which you or your fellow bloggers and readers disagree with.
I also find it hard to believe you chose a nom de plume purely because it was shorter than your real name.
Lynn Prentice (sp?) shorted to lprent. This seems like a university login where they take your first initial and first 5 letters of your surname.
So yes, if you have to choose a nom de plume, have been using one for donkeys years and don’t care that it gives away your real name, it’s an obvious choice.
It is my 6 letter login from 1980 into a DEC1170. Spelling is correct. Just don’t drop the last ‘n’ on the first name because that is my partners name 🙂
That must get confusing sometimes.
Only to other people. We always know who each of us are.
It is a frequent ‘argument’ that comes up on political blogs and a rather spurious one. Mark is perfectly aware of our feelings on the subject because it has been part of the sites About since the site began, and he has read it from some of his comments.
The basic argument runs something like this from Marks side. If people had to put up their real names then they’d be more polite and have more considered comments (my experience on real name only systems is that the debate is much the same – depends on the moderation rather than real names). My position on it is that it makes very little difference in the quality of the argument. What it does do is to inhibit some people from commenting for fear of retribution (there is an example of the lengths that some people will go to in the About).
In my opinion almost every debate on this type of forum in favor of using real names is about gaining leverage to bully people. So you’ll find that attempts to ‘out’ people get stomped on really hard with a high degree of intimidation to prevent a repetition of the behavior. Bully behavior is a right reserved for the moderators, and the main reason for its use is to crush bullying by anyone else.
Since this is a place for debate not bullying, we actively encourage people to use pseudonyms, and defend peoples privacy (see the Policy)
If you have a look at the Policy of the site, the reason for the moderation was on the basis of Mark M deliberately trying to start a flamewar on the subject. So I clamped down on it. Furthermore to demonstrate my point that knowing peoples real names isn’t an issue, I spiced up the note with some gratuitous insults to drive the point home.
Of course I could have just zapped or banned. But this was more fun.
BTW: We seldom do that type of moderated note for peoples opinions unless they’re covered by parts of the policy. You can pretty much argue what you like – just read the About and Policy first to find out where the boundaries are. Which is something you should do for ANY site with comments.
Hi Amelia,
I too have never commented on this blog site before now, but your comment has prompted me to comment also.
Quite simply, people can say what they like on their blogs, and frankly, lprent’s comment was tame compared to many I’ve seen.
Believe it or not baby, on the internet, you really are swimming with the sharks, and it’s naive to think otherwise.
I found lprent’s comment funny and honest. Mark M’s commented on this site in the past, and if he’s making a wanky comment, I expect someone to call him on it – that’s what I love about this blog.
If you want to comment, you should have the guts to argue you point, even if the blogger disagrees with your view. There is nothing wrong with not using your real name – particularly on a political blog site.
That’s seems logical then. However that’s not my primary point.
If Garner wants to be considered “professional” what the hell is he doing commenting here. He should be fired.
Professionals of all sorts comment on blogs.
Yes, we’ve had a handful of Labour MPs posting here in the past.
we’ve had a handful of Labour MPs posting here in the past.
now that goes to the heart of Adrian’s comment…
Well if you look at the National party blog sites, then you’d have to conclude that they really don’t know how to comment. They are essentially invisible around the net and rather colorlessly stupid in person as well.
Labour MPs are not expected to be impartial, and what’s more any of them writing Garner type self-important drivel would be laughed off the site.
There have been quite a few journos who have commented here in the past under their own names. Even more read the site. Same with politicians and their staffs.
Often of course it has been to complain about what has been written about them.
I don’t think garner is biased against the Labour Party.
He IS a joke as a political reporter and he and his station ARE demonstrably biased in their coverage.
That’s more to do with being starry eyed in the presence of John Key and simply bad at their job than being biased against anyone, I think. Key et al are manipulating them and and Garner and his cronies at TVNZ haven’t the wit nor the cajones to do anything about it.
There have been several stories about corruption on the part of NACT MP’s in the past couple of years. TV3 and TVNZ have failed to make any headway with these stories and have let them die. We know what happened during the last labour Government – these stories woiuld have been dragged out for weeks. Just compare the mileage TV got out of Clarke’s speeding story compared to how quickly they dropped English’s Doubledipton.
The latest “credit card scandal” is a case in point – while Garner and his mates were giggling about Shane Jones’ porn and chasing Carter down hallways they completely ignored – completely – the National MP’s with similar spending issues. There has also been no coverage of Finlayson’s failure to disclose his company or English’s lies to Parliament about PEDA. c.f. with David Parker.
This isn’t some lefty perception. It’s easily demonstrated by adding up airtime and column inches.
Garner doth protest too much. He’s a joke. Espiner is a joke. Armstrong is a joke. Their companies are jokes.
captcha “circulation”
“Just compare the mileage TV got out of Clarke’s speeding story compared to how quickly they dropped English’s Doubledipton…”
The thing is one was ok ed by the authorities(same groupo taht was lauded on this site for not entering into Manukaus mayor spending and quite right for them to do so !!!) the other we the tax payer have spent millions on speed campaigns and yet even with a sign on SH 2 “There are no excuses for speeding”, unless you are… then there are exceptions !!!
Chris Cater did wrong on the country yet all I see here is people climbing to his defense of spinning the story to reduce the damage to C.C.
Why is CC so important because he holds and controls the unlossable seat for Labour, but how many potential new blood MP’s on the list is he holding back?
“I do not want to revisit the issue of Carter’s excessive international travel. He has apologised for the second time. Labour leader Phil Goff has declared himself satisfied with that apology. He has his pound of flesh…” (Brian Edwards), you cannot extract much flesh with an old used wet bus ticket.
If that is the case, then I must have missed all of the “if you’re a passenger in an allegedly speeding car you’re a bloody idiot” advertisements.
Mr Garner comes across as being from the mouthbreathing “boofhead’ style of journalism.
The cumulative effect of years of his items says -National, National-drink more piss! (so to speak).
His record of favouring the right, or at least being overly dismissive of Labour, does appear to go beyond perception.
“I’m not going sides in the dispute between Brian Edwards and Duncan Garner over Garner’s targeting of Chris Carter.”
You are an idiot eddie. That sentence explicitly implies whose side you are on. you may as well say “no offence, but….”
Is there another way to interpret what this dispute is about?
If so, let’s have it.
If not, Eddie’s statement implies no siding.
p.s. “explicitly implies”? Please tell me that was a joke..
totally bad word use. hating cold down south. makes the mountains pretty though
the argument remains the same. eddie is taking the side of edwards, because edwards is supporting carter, who eddie has a thing for (not like duncan does).
First you said that Eddie’s statement implied his support of Edwards.
Now you’re saying “Well I already know Eddie supports Edwards so therefore his statement must imply that support in some way even if I can’t say how”
So no, the argument doesn’t remain the same TR. Your contention remains the same but you still haven’t provided any reasoning to support it.