NRT: “The worst of the worst”

Written By: - Date published: 10:43 am, April 30th, 2013 - 176 comments
Categories: crime, law and "order", national - Tags: , , ,

I/S at No Right Turn on the difference between what was promised of the “3 strikes” law and the way it is being used in practice.

“The worst of the worst”

When National passed its “three strikes” legislation in 2010, they promised that it would not be like California’s, and target shoplifters, drug dealers, and other petty criminals. Instead, it would be used on “the worst of the worst”. Throughout the debates (which are linked to from here), they repeatedly referred to “the worst murderers”, the “worst serious violent offenders” and the “worst” sexual offenders. So who are actually they using it on?Dumbarse muggers:

The controversial “three strikes” legislation has seen a young man jailed without parole and warned that if he steals another skateboard, hat or cellphone he will spend 14 years behind bars.

In issuing Elijah Akeem Whaanga, 21, his second strike, Judge Tony Adeane told the Hastings man his two “street muggings” that netted “trophies of minimal value” meant his outlook was now “bleak in the extreme”.

“When you next steal a hat or a cellphone or a jacket or a skateboard you will be sent to the High Court and there you will be sentenced to 14 years’ imprisonment without parole,” Judge Adeane said.

So, it turns out that National were lying. Judith Collins thinks that this is an example of the law working. I guess she’s forgotten all the assurances she gave back in 2010.

If our legal system thinks that this dumbarse is among “the worst of the worst”, or that his crimes merit 14 years imprisonment without parole, then it is fundamentally disproportionate and unjust. If our politicians think it is anything other than a waste of public money, then they are simply insane.

But its hard to see how, if this moron gets to a third strike, the Bill of Rights Act’s affirmation of freedom from disproportionately severe treatment or punishment would not be invoked. Which should see the law being “read down” to include discretion on sentencing where it would be manifestly unjust (something that only exists at present for the parole decision). The politicians will squeal, but if they won’t obey the BORA as they promised, the courts will just have to do it for them.

(I’d suggest that juries simply start refusing to convict people where legislated sentences woudl be unjust, as they did in the C17th in response to the“Bloody Code”, but National deprived most people of the right to trial by jury last year…)

176 comments on “NRT: “The worst of the worst” ”

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  1. Tigger 1
    30 April 2013 at 11:00 am

    Garth McViagra practically came in his pants praising the judge.

    This kid needs help, not jail. Meanwhile today Hanover crooks go free…

    Oh, NRT I really appreciate your generosity in sharing posts. Like most I’m time poor and can only check so many blogs. You work tirelessly for justice and I appreciate the Standard carrying some of your posts.

    • aerobubble 1.1
      30 April 2013 at 3:14 pm

      McVicar is an idiot, information can be used for good or bad. So the idea that he would out judges who gave lite sentences, if judges were to alter their sentence as a result, could possibly lead to judges being targeted… …or even a judge calling McVicar into their court and locking them up for interference in justice.

  2. Ruobeil 2
    30 April 2013 at 11:54 am

    No mention of the 72 previous convictions.

    No mention of the indecent assault or aggravated (ie: beat the crap out of the victim) robberies.

    Just a fine upstanding citizen.

    The real question is: Why does Labour love cuddling up to crims?

    • Pascal's bookie 2.1
      30 April 2013 at 12:02 pm

      “aggravated (ie: beat the crap out of the victim) ”

      You should probably do some homework on that one there chap.

      Someone walks aup to you in the street and robs you : Robbery

      Does same thing but has a mate standing next to him: Aggravated robbery.

      • TheContrarian 2.1.1
        30 April 2013 at 12:38 pm

        Nonetheless 72 convictions is a fair bit, no? Which has already included jail time and indecent assault.
        Not really the example I would have chosen in order to highlight the perceived absurdity of this law.

        (for the record I am not a supporter of the 3 strikes law)

        • One Anonymous Knucklehead 2.1.1.1
          30 April 2013 at 12:45 pm

          “I am not a supporter of the 3 strikes law”

          You just vote for the party that passes it into law, then wash your hands of the consequences. Classy.

        • Pascal's bookie 2.1.1.2
          30 April 2013 at 7:01 pm

          @ Contra “Not really the example I would have chosen in order to highlight the perceived absurdity of this law.”

          lol, you just made an argument “NeilM” has been using, I’d almost rather find myself doing a Pete George. Almost, but it’s pretty close.

    • One Anonymous Knucklehead 2.2
      30 April 2013 at 12:21 pm

      The real question is: where does a low-life piece of trash like Ruobeil get off pretending that a call for a rational approach to penal policy equates to “cuddling up to crims”?

      Sub-moronic scum like Ruobeil, Graham Capill and David Garrett have distorted this discussion for too long. Enough is enough: it’s time to get tough on right wing cretins.

      • Ruobeil 2.2.1
        30 April 2013 at 5:58 pm

        Still haven’t been to those anger management classes yet Knucklehead?

        Glad to see you defending crims – then again anything for a few votes eh?

        • One Anonymous Knucklehead 2.2.1.1
          30 April 2013 at 7:06 pm

          It’s very very simple Ruobeil: you support policies that increase crime rates. Are you saying anger isn’t a perfectly valid response to your making things worse?

    • Murray Olsen 2.3
      30 April 2013 at 6:34 pm

      Independent research shows that 73 out of every 72 convictions are based on torture, police perjury, and the denial of human rights.
      On the other hand, John Banks is being fairly prosecuted at the moment, Hutton was an upstanding gardener, and GCSB operatives have boasted of their law breaking ways. When will Tories stop cuddling up to crims?

    • Puddleglum 2.4
      30 April 2013 at 10:21 pm

      What do the 72 previous convictions have to do with the three strikes law?

      Presumably, that law refers to convictions of a particular severity rather than any old convictions (e.g., multiple parking fines). Or are you implying that the three strikes legislation is actually just cover for getting at petty criminals rather than the ‘worst of the worst’? (i.e., just as NRT argues).

      Unless, of course, the 72 convictions were all for murder, rape or grievous assault. Were they?

      • Ruobeil 2.4.1
        1 May 2013 at 7:40 am

        That’s right; indecent assault is petty.

        Wonder whether the victim believes that?

        • One Anonymous Knucklehead 2.4.1.1
          1 May 2013 at 7:46 am

          Using the victim as a human shield won’t help your argument. The policies you support have led to a 50% recidivism rate when other countries achieve 20%. That’s 30% more victims, all to gratify your twisted vigilantism.

          Enough is enough.

  3. Jane 3
    30 April 2013 at 12:14 pm

    I am no fan of this law but in this case I think his from the same article is relevant…

    Whaanga’s offending stretches back to 2006, including burglary, theft, resisting arrest and indecent assault. He served a short prison sentence in early 2010.

    In July that year, he and an accomplice committed aggravated robbery. Whaanga punched the victim in the head multiple times before taking $68. For that he earned his first strike in December 2010 and was sentenced to jail for two years and one month.

    He was freed on parole in April last year. The Parole Board said he had behaved well in prison, where he had resided in the Maori Focus Unit. He had completed a drug programme and a Maori therapeutic programme and was released on a number of conditions for six months.

    Four months later he committed two aggravated robberies with two separate accomplices.

    The first involved taking a skateboard, hat and cigarette lighter from the victim after trying unsuccessfully to remove the victim’s jacket. The second involved Whaanga kicking the victim in the back of his leg and taking his hat and cellphone.

    Whaanga pleaded guilty to two charges of aggravated robbery and was sentenced in Napier District Court on April 18.

    • Tigger 3.1
      30 April 2013 at 7:38 pm

      And jail will do nothing to change him. Certainly not Jail Inc.

    • Tigger 3.2
      30 April 2013 at 7:42 pm

      FOR. FUCK’S. SAKE.

      He needs HELP. He DOES NOT NEED JAIL.

      Yes, he’s this and he’s that. Dammit, you made me write in caps and I hate doing that.

      It’s our system that is broken, our society, not this kid.

      • dumrse 3.2.1
        30 April 2013 at 8:14 pm

        Agreed get him out now. Let him thump the next innocent kid so hard he falls and dies. Then what? Your fucking spots gonna change.

      • infused 3.2.2
        1 May 2013 at 12:09 am

        I’m sure there are better people to ‘help’.

  4. Saccharomyces 4
    30 April 2013 at 12:20 pm

    I think we have to bear in mind that he has a significant record, and we’re not just talking about nicking an unattended skateboard, there’s far more evil behavior involved. From Stuff:

    “Whaanga’s offending stretches back to 2006, including burglary, theft, resisting arrest and indecent assault. He served a short prison sentence in early 2010.

    In July that year, he and an accomplice committed aggravated robbery. Whaanga punched the victim in the head multiple times before taking $68. For that he earned his first strike in December 2010 and was sentenced to jail for two years and one month.

    He was freed on parole in April last year. The Parole Board said he had behaved well in prison, where he had resided in the Maori Focus Unit. He had completed a drug programme and a Maori therapeutic programme and was released on a number of conditions for six months.

    Four months later he committed two aggravated robberies with two separate accomplices.

    The first involved taking a skateboard, hat and cigarette lighter from the victim after trying unsuccessfully to remove the victim’s jacket. The second involved Whaanga kicking the victim in the back of his leg and taking his hat and cellphone.

    Whaanga pleaded guilty to two charges of aggravated robbery and was sentenced in Napier District Court on April 18.”

    The way I see it is that he knows what is expected of him, and what the consequences will be if he misbehaves. Bear in mind that all we’re asking is that he DOESN’T BREAK THE LAW, it’s not that hard…..

    • Jane 4.1
      30 April 2013 at 12:24 pm

      Snap! 🙂

    • One Anonymous Knucklehead 4.2
      30 April 2013 at 12:28 pm

      “it’s not that hard…”

      Do you understand the significance of the phrase “neuro-disability”? I guess not.

      • dumrse 4.2.1
        30 April 2013 at 8:18 pm

        Sh!t even I’ve never heard of that. Get him a benefit quick. Better still I will work harder and longer and you can just take some more tax from me. He’s a fucking criminal, when will he learn, more importantly when will the left learn.

        • One Anonymous Knucklehead 4.2.1.1
          30 April 2013 at 8:59 pm

          Learn what? How to reduce recidivism rates, or how to reduce crime in general? Solutions abound, mostly provided by the Left, but what I don’t understand is why you want to make things worse, and why not one wingnut can produce a single substantive contribution.

          Go on, call me soft on crime again you witless gimp.

        • Murray Olsen 4.2.1.2
          1 May 2013 at 2:07 am

          Even more tax will be taken off you to keep him in prison. You are asking the wrong people to raise taxes in this case, and NAct will only raise them if you’re earning the sort of lowish income that your abilities deserve. If you’re earning heaps, NAct will tax someone else anyway, and any party which cut down prison numbers would be spending less, so don’t worry, be happy……….

      • Ruobeil 4.2.2
        1 May 2013 at 7:42 am

        So that explains your problem with anger management?

        • One Anonymous Knucklehead 4.2.2.1
          1 May 2013 at 7:50 am

          I’m not sure. Does it explain your weird vigilante fantasies?

    • framu 4.3
      30 April 2013 at 12:33 pm

      ok – so he deserves to go in front of the court – i dont think anyones saying he should get off scott free

      but seeing as three strikes is meant to be reserved for the worst of the worst how does any of those facts relate to the three strikes law?

      its not a law that says, “do lots of crime and well lock you up for ages” – its meant to be for the most despicable violent offenders going.

      yes he robbed people – yes he was violent, but is three strikes the right answer here? Has it been applied in the circumstances we were sold?

      Its his previous record of violence that is the factor with three strikes, not his previous record of offending as a whole

      • Saccharomyces 4.3.1
        30 April 2013 at 1:55 pm

        Do you understand the three strikes law? All it means is that IF Mr Whaanga commits another of the crimes under the three strikes law he will receive the maximum sentence applicable for the crime, no parole.

        It DOESN’T mean that if he shoplifts that he’ll get slammed with a life sentence. It DOESN’T mean that if he gets caught drunk driving that he’ll get a life sentence.

        It DOES mean that if he commits sexual assault he’ll get 7 years no parole. It DOES mean that if he commits an indecent act on a child he’ll get 10 years no parole. It DOES mean that if he assaults with intent to rob he will get 7 years.

        For reference a list of the offences and applicable non-parole sentences can be found here: http://news.tangatawhenua.com/archives/5230

        “its not a law that says, “do lots of crime and well lock you up for ages” – its meant to be for the most despicable violent offenders going.”

        • framu 4.3.1.1
          30 April 2013 at 1:58 pm

          “Do you understand the three strikes law? All it means is that IF Mr Whaanga commits another of the crimes under the three strikes law he will receive the maximum sentence applicable for the crime, no parole.”

          yeah – thats exactly my point.

          i said “yes he robbed people – yes he was violent, but is three strikes the right answer here? Has it been applied in the circumstances we were sold?
          Its his previous record of violence that is the factor with three strikes, not his previous record of offending as a whole”

          read it again

          • Saccharomyces 4.3.1.1.1
            30 April 2013 at 2:23 pm

            I think it is the right answer here. He has a proven record of violent offending. Pretty simple……. he should be stepped up to maximum sentence for future crimes.

            I’d argue that punching someone MULTIPLE times in the head before taking their money is pretty despicable.

            People have died from being punched in the head……

            • One Anonymous Knucklehead 4.3.1.1.1.1
              30 April 2013 at 2:25 pm

              Then get yourself admitted to the bar, get yourself selected as a High Court judge, and pass harsh sentences. Otherwise get your filthy hands off our justice system.

              • Saccharomyces …
                30 April 2013 at 2:28 pm

                Well if you don’t agree with the three strike rule than get yourself elected to parliament, present a bill, get the support to get it passed into law.

                Otherwise stop moaning about the law.

                • One Anonymous Knucklehead …
                  30 April 2013 at 2:32 pm

                  Nah, I think I’ll carry on treating your delusions with the ridicule and contempt they so richly deserve, but thanks all the same.

                  • DavidC …
                    30 April 2013 at 6:38 pm

                    O.A.K
                    You are a crim cuddling fuckwit of the first order.
                    This guy has committed 5 strike offences that we know of and he is 21?
                    His SOP is to conscript young people with little or no criminal background to help him. So this POS drags gulible but otherwise pretty ok “kids” into a life of crime with him.

                    • Colonial Viper …
                      30 April 2013 at 6:48 pm

                      Yeah not worth 14 years behind bars. Maybe a couple.

                    • BM …
                      30 April 2013 at 6:55 pm

                      Be easier just to shoot the useless fuck.
                      Or at the least sterilize him so he can’t pass on his scummy genetics

                    • felix …
                      30 April 2013 at 6:57 pm

                      Ah, genetics. Do go on…

                    • One Anonymous Knucklehead …
                      30 April 2013 at 7:02 pm

                      We should give up judicial independence because some people commit crime? I don’t think you’re seeing this clearly. Oh, and by the way, the policies you support lead to increased crime. Yes, they do: read the links provided below.

                      So which one of us is the fuckwit?

                    • DavidC …
                      30 April 2013 at 8:07 pm

                      CV.
                      If your kid lay in hospital braindamaged by this POSwould you still say its worth just a couple of years? Get real.

                      Giving someone a beating one to one is 7 years max, there is a reason that making is a team event is 14 years. That is what this piece of human scum does time after time, when he is not commiting indecent assult of course.

                      Anyone got a list of his 70 previos offences?

                    • felix …
                      30 April 2013 at 8:21 pm

                      Brain damage to kids now?

                      Fuck me this is good. We pretend this one person has done something so we can have a knee-jerk emotional response to it.

                      Then we fantasise a punishment sufficient for our own gratification.

                      Then we extend and apply that punishment to the general case. And it’s appropriate in the general case because it was appropriate in our made-up one.

                    • DavidC …
                      30 April 2013 at 8:35 pm

                      Felix.
                      I assume your crawling comment was aimed at me.
                      You do realise if you punch someone in the head enough to actually knock them over there is a very real chance of doing lasting damage.
                      This isnt the movies where you hit someone and they spring back up after a 15 second nap.

                      Pretend what?

                      Care to list a violent offence this cunt hasnt perpetrated on society? rob a bank? no not yet. But still he is only 21.

                    • TheContrarian …
                      30 April 2013 at 8:44 pm

                      Don’t you mean ‘eugenics’, Felix?

                    • One Anonymous Knucklehead …
                      30 April 2013 at 9:04 pm

                      I’m always reminded of the Sopranos episode ‘Boca’ in these debates. Where Tony has to be reminded that Coach Hauser’s offending isn’t all about him. It’s just unfortunate that our resident wingnuts don’t even have the minimal understanding that a fictional mafioso can muster.

                      Here’s big tough DavidC to call everyone names though.

                    • felix …
                      30 April 2013 at 9:17 pm

                      David C: I know this is hard for you to follow, but you either said or implied that CV was unsympathetic to an imaginary child with brain damage only because it wasn’t his child.

                      I was simply pointing out that it’s far more likely that CV’s lack of sympathy for the brain-damaged child stems from the fact that he didn’t know you were imagining one.

                      TheContrarian: No, I’m pretty sure Blue said “genetics” before disappearing in a cloud of sense-of-humour.

                    • DavidC …
                      30 April 2013 at 9:39 pm

                      Felix..
                      CV said not 14 yrs but 2.
                      I questioned his imaginary piety it it were his child that had been beaten down and damaged by this person that you want to walk free.

                    • One Anonymous Knucklehead …
                      30 April 2013 at 9:44 pm

                      Who said he should walk free? Are you lashing out because it’s been pointed out to you that you support policies which increase crime rates? Get over it.

                    • DavidC …
                      30 April 2013 at 9:51 pm

                      O.A.K
                      Its pretty hard for scum like Whaanga to cause more crime while his is locked up. (other than crime on other crims of course)

                      Care to explaim how he can beat CVs kids up while behid bars?

                    • One Anonymous Knucklehead …
                      30 April 2013 at 9:59 pm

                      Care to acknowledge that “get tough” policies create more crime? Care to address the way increased economic inequality leads to a rise in violence? Or are you still jerking off over your wet-dreams of vengeance?

                    • felix …
                      30 April 2013 at 10:01 pm

                      Ah, so David means to lock him up forever. Why didn’t he say so?

                      And presumably he doesn’t just mean this one guy – cos that’d be really dumb, basing all this on one guy – so I guess we’re going to need a hell of a lot more prisons.

                      ps David, thanks for admitting (9:39) that it was all in your head.

            • McFlock 4.3.1.1.1.2
              30 April 2013 at 2:33 pm

              True.

              But if everybody who punched other people in the head more than once got a three strikes warning, the prisons would overflow (and mcvictim would get a pay bonus, if you believe the SS funding theories).

              This guy isn’t a serial rapist or murderer. He’s a dumb kid who likely needs psych care rather than prison. And more importantly, the longer we ignore the poverty and social neglect large sectors of this country face, the more dumb kids in need will be wandering the streets, alienated and unemployable.

              But that’s a bit sophisticated for folk who can only understand issues around criminal justice by way of american sporting analogies.

            • framu 4.3.1.1.1.3
              30 April 2013 at 2:34 pm

              “I’d argue that punching someone MULTIPLE times in the head before taking their money is pretty despicable.”

              so would i – but one of these strikes appears to be because he kicked someone in the back of the leg

              dont get me wrong here, i hate theives, and ive been burgled, assaulted and mugged before. But i dont think its up there with the graham bells and tony dicksons of this world.

              sure we need to do something, but is jumping straight to full volume actually solving anything in the long term? Couldnt we get a better, long term result here?

              • Saccharomyces …
                30 April 2013 at 2:49 pm

                “sure we need to do something, but is jumping straight to full volume actually solving anything in the long term? Couldnt we get a better, long term result here?”

                For example?

                I’m not trolling or attacking your statement, I’d just like to hear some ideas….

                • One Anonymous Knucklehead …
                  30 April 2013 at 3:05 pm

                  I’d just like to hear some ideas…

                  Yeah right. The right-wing reaction to Blameless Babes says different.

                  Reason and wingnut sentencing policy said goodbye long ago.

                • McFlock …
                  30 April 2013 at 3:10 pm

                  Case response: throw social workers at him, rather than other more practised criminals. Restorative justice meetings. Supervision.

                  Strategic prevention:
                  Boost resources to health (including/especially mental health), social welfare and education. Cheaper than prisons.

                • framu …
                  30 April 2013 at 4:26 pm

                  do i need to give you an example for you to evaluate the question?

                  “is jumping straight to full volume actually solving anything in the long term?”

        • One Anonymous Knucklehead 4.3.1.2
          30 April 2013 at 2:15 pm

          Saccharomyces, you can understand the undigested grains and cellulose in this piece of shit as much as you like, it’ll still be a piece of shit.

          It removes judicial discretion, and is therefore an attack upon society, and represents yet another example of how low intelligence is a gateway to conservatism.

          • Saccharomyces 4.3.1.2.1
            30 April 2013 at 2:26 pm

            This little shit wandering around beating people up and stealing their stuff is the attack upon society.

            • One Anonymous Knucklehead 4.3.1.2.1.1
              30 April 2013 at 2:28 pm

              His behaviour is a symptom. Low quality right-wing penal, economic and social policy is the disease.

              • Saccharomyces …
                30 April 2013 at 2:51 pm

                His offending goes back to when there was a left-wing government was in power, so was it their policies that were the disease?

                • One Anonymous Knucklehead …
                  30 April 2013 at 2:59 pm

                  The fifth Labour government reduced inequality but nowhere nearly enough: without the benign effects of the introduction of lead-free petrol I expect things would be much worse.

                  Get a clue about penal policy. Our recidivism rate is over 50%. Norway’s is around 20%. Did they achieve that with “get tough” policies? Of course they did, and then you woke up.

                  50% recidivism means that people like you and Graham Capill have caused more crime with your witless vandalism. Own it.

                  • TheContrarian …
                    30 April 2013 at 3:01 pm

                    “people like you and Graham Capill”

                    Classy, reeeeal classy.

                    • One Anonymous Knucklehead …
                      30 April 2013 at 3:06 pm

                      I’m referring to his advocacy for tougher sentencing policy that resulted in the 1999 referendum, and yes, if I were keeping that kind of company I’d reassess my opinions.

                    • TheContrarian …
                      30 April 2013 at 3:08 pm

                      Sure you were, dear, sure you were.

                    • One Anonymous Knucklehead …
                      30 April 2013 at 3:23 pm

                      😆 ok ok it’s a fair cop guvnor.

                      Leaving aside the Capillesque nature of “get tough” policies, they’ve failed. It’s time to do something that actually reduces recidivism.

        • Pascal's bookie 4.3.1.3
          30 April 2013 at 4:04 pm

          @Saccharomyces

          Do you understand the three strikes law? All it means is that IF Mr Whaanga commits another of the crimes under the three strikes law he will receive the maximum sentence applicable for the crime, no parole.

          That’s for the second strike. The third strike means, as the judge said, he will go away for 14 years no parole.

  5. freedom 5
    30 April 2013 at 1:52 pm

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/8569913/Your-kid-could-be-killed-next-dad-says

    Meanwhile this timebomb will be released in a few short weeks and will very likely kill again. At the very least anyone who looks at him sideways will get hammered. He is a chronic violent alcoholic and is basically illiterate. He refused all rehab and education opportunities inside, yet still gets parole?

    I know a victim of this criminal very well. The guy is currently living in fear of this violent thug’s release. Real tangible fear that this maniac will discover where he moved to and succeed in his promise to finish him off. The really crazy part with this law is that despite the decades of relentless offending, another death would only qualify as his first strike.

    Sentencing is only a part of the justice problems facing NZ.

  6. Colonial Viper 6
    30 April 2013 at 3:52 pm

    The idiot Right Wingers will celebrate when this young guy gets put away for 14 years for his next petty crime.

    Until he comes out of prison having become a hardened, criminally well connected inmate in his 30’s, turning up on a street near you.

    Boy this country just has no idea on crime and punishment, and both National and Labour are responsible.

    • Blue 6.1
      30 April 2013 at 7:46 pm

      No I think the victims of his crimes might celebrate. You do remember them don’t you?

      • One Anonymous Knucklehead 6.1.1
        30 April 2013 at 9:19 pm

        You fucking worm, using crime victims to peddle your disgusting hateful shite.

        • Blue 6.1.1.1
          30 April 2013 at 9:31 pm

          Not at all. I would have thought that you would have considered them as a matter of human decency, but no, you clearly don’t care. The victim to you is clearly the criminal. Stop being hysterical and pull your head out of your arse.

          • One Anonymous Knucklehead 6.1.1.1.1
            30 April 2013 at 9:39 pm

            What part of my concern for our 50% recidivism rate are you having trouble with, you tiresome cretin?

            • Blue 6.1.1.1.1.1
              30 April 2013 at 11:04 pm

              The fact that you show more concern for the recidivism rate than the victims. Thought that was clear, you terminally unemployable dullard.

              • Colonial Viper …
                30 April 2013 at 11:14 pm

                Hey shit for brains

                OAK is concerned about a high recidivism rate in part because a high recidivism rate by definition creates a lot of new, avoidable victims. Lower the recidivism rate, avoid creating new crimes and new victims.

                Meanwhile you are busy looking in the rear view mirror at yesterday’s victims while you continue driving ahead with a system ploughing through more new ones.

                You really haven’t thought this through, have you, “dullard”.

              • One Anonymous Knucklehead …
                1 May 2013 at 6:40 am

                “Unemployable”? I must see that my employer and clients get the memo.

                Wanting fewer victims ≠ no concern for victims. I should have thought that was obvious, but I guess I just over-estimated your ability. English comprehension 101, perhaps?

                • One Anonymous Knucklehead …
                  1 May 2013 at 6:50 am

                  PS: Oh, and while I’m on the subject, my concern for the victims is what generates my contempt for your use of them as crime porn, Blue.

            • Ruobeil 6.1.1.1.1.2
              1 May 2013 at 7:48 am

              Forgotten to take your anger management medication again Knucklehead?

              • One Anonymous Knucklehead …
                1 May 2013 at 7:51 am

                1. Lose the argument.
                2. Attack the messenger.
                3. Pretend (1) never happened.

  7. Blue 7
    30 April 2013 at 6:19 pm

    Aren’t you all assuming he hasn’t already had (repeatedly) social workers, social agencies, youth workers ” thrown at him” ad nauseum up to this point? I think it can be reasonably assumed he has, to no effect. Getting upset about a serialviolent offender and thief , who also enjoys indecently assaulting people, is just being precious for the sake if it

    • Colonial Viper 7.1
      30 April 2013 at 6:49 pm

      Capital punishment. Why not line him up against the wall and shoot him then.

      • Blue 7.1.1
        30 April 2013 at 7:34 pm

        Oh for goodness sake stop being hysterical. Why don’t you have him round for tea CV ? You clearly think he’s a lovely misunderstood boy. If he misbehaves you can talk him through his problems.

    • One Anonymous Knucklehead 7.2
      30 April 2013 at 6:52 pm

      Blue, in your mind it’s all about this one offender. In reality we’re discussing judicial independence and the long-established separation of powers. Can you see the difference?

      • Blue 7.2.1
        30 April 2013 at 7:04 pm

        Judicial independence is a crock, why do you think there is mandatory life sentence for murder ? It is a deterrent, you’re clearly getting confused, but Ill explain it to you. If … he… doesn’t …assault….rob….or sexually assault ….any ….innocent people he will stay …out…..of …jail. Do you believe this idiot should have 2,3,10 more opportunities to prey on the public? What number of chances did you have in mind ?

        • One Anonymous Knucklehead 7.2.1.1
          30 April 2013 at 7:08 pm

          “Judicial independence is a crock”.

          Paging Dr. Dunning-Kruger. It’s nice of you to attempt a substantive argument, sweety, but I think you may need to expand on it a little.

          • Blue 7.2.1.1.1
            30 April 2013 at 7:42 pm

            So unlimited chances then? Ok

            • One Anonymous Knucklehead 7.2.1.1.1.1
              30 April 2013 at 7:55 pm

              No. You need to read what I wrote and respond to that, as opposed to constructing cretinous strawmen.

              • Blue …
                30 April 2013 at 8:02 pm

                I asked you how many chances and you did not respond. How many chances should criminals get for repeating the same crime before getting the maximum sentence?

                • One Anonymous Knucklehead …
                  30 April 2013 at 8:43 pm

                  One more time. Ju. Di. Ci. Al. In. De. Pen. Dence.

                  I want you to lift your game, get out of the gutter, so I’m not answering your bullshit leading questions, I’m not in the slightest bit interested in your false frames and ridiculous strawmen.

                  They stupidise the discussion, but thanks all the same.

        • Colonial Viper 7.2.1.2
          30 April 2013 at 7:24 pm

          It is a deterrent

          No it’s not. At least, not an effective one.

          • Blue 7.2.1.2.1
            30 April 2013 at 7:39 pm

            How do you know it’s not effective ? Are you using this horrible boy as an example ? He has been warned now, if he ignores the warning that is a choice he has made. I imagine most people would agree that the removal of a criminal who violently preys on innocent people and clearly doesn’t care about the harm he does, would benefit society.

            • One Anonymous Knucklehead 7.2.1.2.1.1
              30 April 2013 at 7:46 pm

              How do we know it’s ineffective? Research, my dear fellow: too many examples of reduced sentences and reduced crime going hand-in-hand.

              In other words, we checked your ideas against reality and there’s no correlation between the two.

              • Colonial Viper …
                30 April 2013 at 10:50 pm

                maybe if the USA chucked another million black people into prison, black people would finally get the idea of deterrence?

          • DavidC 7.2.1.2.2
            30 April 2013 at 8:25 pm

            CV, to some people there is no deterrent so all that can be done is put them where they cannot maim more of civil society.

            • McFlock 7.2.1.2.2.1
              30 April 2013 at 8:48 pm

              Even if that were true, it doesn’t apply to a punk who steals skateboards.

              • DavidC …
                30 April 2013 at 8:59 pm

                you think this is about a skateboard?

                Its about this persons lack of abilty to control himself.

                How many offences on women or offences of violence do you need to rack up before a shit head like you McFlock says that this piece of flotsam should not be walking free.

                Obviously you want him to rape and murder someone first huh?
                Or just kill a child? most of his offences are against young people. brave bastard that he is.. Tag teaming against young weak oppisition.

                drop him is a deep dark hole forever.

                • Pascal's bookie …
                  30 April 2013 at 9:04 pm

                  Who said a Judge shouldn’t send him to jail?

                  And if you know exactly what he has done, why were you asking for a list of his convictions?

                  And why can’t you argue this rationally rather than just ranting like the sort of loon we invented courts to protect our society from?

                  Questions abound.

                  • DavidC …
                    30 April 2013 at 9:22 pm

                    he has offences for violence and indecent assult. He has 5 strike offences which is quite an amazing feat given he is 21 and spent 2 years inside.

                    70 isnt enouf.? Is 100 the number? 150? 500?

                    • Colonial Viper …
                      30 April 2013 at 11:30 pm

                      Nah you’re asking the wrong question so no number will be correct.

                      The moment you chuck a young person in a prison for the first time, chances are you’ve fucked them permanently and made them into a multi-million dollar repeating over a lifetime guest of her Royal Majesty.

                    • Pascal's bookie …
                      1 May 2013 at 5:40 am

                      You’ve been kinda clear on the loony ranting part David, it was the other parts I was seeking info on, thanks.

                • McFlock …
                  30 April 2013 at 9:15 pm

                  Nice illustration.
                  You are quick to get aggravated, lack any ability to look beneath the surface of the situation, and immediately leap at the solution of getting medieval on a yoof.

                  I suggest that with a couple of lucky tweaks to life story you and he are largely interchangeable.

                  Maybe tories should be given three nact votes then mandatory imprisonment. /sarc

                  • DavidC …
                    30 April 2013 at 9:28 pm

                    yoof? he is 21 years old.

                    Yeah lucky tweaks.. I have self control.

                    He is a rare beast. 1 in 300,000.

                    A deep hole is probably too good.

                    [lprent: As an observation after reading your comments tonight. There is little evidence on this site that you have much self-control. You certainly don’t appear to think before writing. ]

                    • One Anonymous Knucklehead …
                      30 April 2013 at 9:34 pm

                      If we dropped you in a deep hole would you come back with enough brain cells to muster an argument that can pass a basic reality test?

                    • McFlock …
                      30 April 2013 at 9:59 pm

                      You knew it all by 21, eh.
                      18-20 is the peak of at risk behaviour, not the tail end. For that you need to go for 25 or even 30 year olds.

                      The fact is that this guy has greater chance of not reoffending if he stays in the community with social workers and education, rather than making his peer group consist entirely of criminals.

                      Where did you get 1:300k, by the way?

                    • DavidC …
                      30 April 2013 at 10:00 pm

                      O.A.K

                      Here is a question for yhou..What would you do for this dear soul that hasnt already been done to stop his assault on society.

                      Do enlighten us you crim cuddling fuckwit.

                    • One Anonymous Knucklehead …
                      30 April 2013 at 10:05 pm

                      Answer: your question is self-serving and irrelevant, and since you obviously lack the cognitive capacity to recognise the multitude of approaches I have referenced this evening, what is the point of repeating them?

                    • felix …
                      30 April 2013 at 10:07 pm

                      “What would you do for this dear sould that hasnt already been done”

                      Still pretending you know anything about what’s “already been done” in this particular instance I see. And still pretending it’s relevant.

                    • DavidC …
                      30 April 2013 at 10:08 pm

                      In short. You want to suck his cock and beg him to not beat you down afterward. You are at least his equal.

                    • One Anonymous Knucklehead …
                      30 April 2013 at 10:12 pm

                      Imagine whatever you like; it’s your wet-dream, not mine.

                    • felix …
                      30 April 2013 at 10:18 pm

                      David’s fantasies might seem a little odd, but at least now he’s just imagining a consensual cock suck.

                      Before it was all brain-damaged children. That was weird.

                    • One Anonymous Knucklehead …
                      30 April 2013 at 10:25 pm

                      I like the one where David gets to be the executioner, and we let him choose his own methods, but the leaky roof on the Deth-O-Matic shorts out the circuits and InspectiCorp turns out to have been subcontracting the job to HireACrim, so everyone escapes.

                    • McFlock …
                      30 April 2013 at 10:51 pm

                      Why is it that scratching the surface of a “tough on crime” tory almost always reveals some hyper-sexualised obsession?

                      They do know that “penal” doesn’t always refer to willies, right ?

                    • Colonial Viper …
                      30 April 2013 at 10:51 pm

                      Wasn’t DavidC recently talking about people who just can’t control themselves 😈

                    • Pascal's bookie …
                      1 May 2013 at 6:39 am

                      I have self control.

                      How, revealing.

                • prism …
                  30 April 2013 at 10:44 pm

                  David C
                  Its about this persons lack of abilty to control himself….
                  ..rack up before a shit head like you McFlock says that this piece of flotsam should not be walking free.

                  Your choice of description of those opposing you shows your lack of ability to control yourself, potty mouth.

    • Murray Olsen 7.3
      30 April 2013 at 6:56 pm

      I didn’t realise those cops down in the BOP had been thieves as well. I only knew about the serial violent offending, indecent assaults, and rape. What sort of sentence did you think was appropriate for them?

      • Blue 7.3.1
        30 April 2013 at 7:06 pm

        Life

        • Murray Olsen 7.3.1.1
          30 April 2013 at 7:09 pm

          Next question. Why wasn’t a huge fuss made in favour of life sentences in those cases?

          • Blue 7.3.1.1.1
            30 April 2013 at 7:16 pm

            I don’t know, do you? Perhaps you should direct your questions to the judge in the case. You asked what I thought was appropriate for those filthy rapists and I told you. Violent sexual offenders are on the bottom of the humanity heap as far as I’m concerned. It was a long time ago and I can’t recall the sentences, but I’ve given you my view.

            • Colonial Viper 7.3.1.1.1.1
              30 April 2013 at 7:21 pm

              Whereas depriving kids families of income and warmth is OK

              • Blue …
                30 April 2013 at 7:30 pm

                No it’s not

                • Colonial Viper …
                  30 April 2013 at 8:56 pm

                  A clear majority of serious violent criminals come from highly troubled, unstable and poverty affected homes.

                  Sort that out, you won’t need your gulags at the bottom of the cliff.

            • Murray Olsen 7.3.1.1.1.2
              30 April 2013 at 9:14 pm

              The judge didn’t make a huge fuss. Neither did Garth McVicar, nor any of the usual suspects.

              On the one hand, we have a young guy who’s got real problems and insists on making them other people’s as well. He comes from the bottom of society. Heaps of people want him locked up forever, or maybe a bit longer.

              On the other, we have members of the establishment, the iron fist in the not so velvet glove, who abuse their positions to rape almost with impunity. They were given enormous powers by the state and used these to commit the most atrocious crimes. Even the PM at the time was unable to do much to change prevailing attitudes.

              Why the difference? I’d say institutionalised racism explains it pretty well.

    • felix 7.4
      30 April 2013 at 7:02 pm

      “Aren’t you all assuming he hasn’t already had (repeatedly) social workers, social agencies, youth workers ” thrown at him” ad nauseum up to this point? I think it can be reasonably assumed he has, to no effect. “

      I don’t see how that can be reasonably assumed at all. Especially if you’re not willing to lay out the reasoning.

      • Blue 7.4.1
        30 April 2013 at 7:09 pm

        It is reasonable to assume that a chap with a long history of offending has been offered and directed to rehabilitation more than once. Are you saying that he has received no rehabilitation, social worker intervention in his time in the system ? It is not reasonable or logical to suggest otherwise. I’m struggling to see why you defend someone who preys on the public.

        • One Anonymous Knucklehead 7.4.1.1
          30 April 2013 at 7:14 pm

          There’s your problem, you see: you have somehow formed the stupid idea that we are defending this individual, when what we’re defending is judicial independence. Can you see the difference between a basic tenet of law that goes back at least to the Magna Carta, and a person?

          • Blue 7.4.1.1.1
            30 April 2013 at 7:27 pm

            Are you suggesting that laws should not be changed in response to changes in society
            , to changes in the type and severity of crimes being commited or to the prevalence of repeat offenders? There is also the reducing level of tolerence of criminals to account for. Three occasions committing the same crime means you’re either an unbelievable cretin or a psychopath. Rather than waxing lyrical about the poor souls, what is your solution to these criminals?

            • One Anonymous Knucklehead 7.4.1.1.1.1
              30 April 2013 at 7:36 pm

              Solutions? Simple: look at other countries to see who has the lowest recidivism rates (50% of our crims re-offend) and do what they do.

              Of course laws change, but judicial independence isn’t a law, it’s a necessity. Public opinion-based “justice”? Not so much.

              • Blue …
                30 April 2013 at 7:50 pm

                That’s not a solution that’s pointing and saying “look what they did” ( because I’m out of ideas).

                • Pascal's bookie …
                  30 April 2013 at 7:53 pm

                  *laugh*

                  because three strikes isn’t exactly an example of ACT seeing a US policy and having a wank into a sock about it.

                  Like all their other policies.

                • Blue …
                  30 April 2013 at 7:57 pm

                  Bored now my dear lefties. Have to go and oil my capitalist machine with my staffs blood, eat some puppies and close down an orphanage. Ciao.;)

              • Arfamo …
                30 April 2013 at 8:29 pm

                The judiciary are a part of the well-heeled power elite of this country, well connected to the business and political brokers. They generally live lives somewhat isolated from the economic and social realities for a great part of our society. We should be careful that they equally do not simply assume to impose judge law with primary concern a repeat offender’s liberty to further offend without ramification. The sentencing changes were made in response to public concern about repeat offenders re-offending too often. I didn’t mind the three-strikes law when I saw the list of offences. I think judges were too bad at picking which offenders should not be released on bail too often. I don’t mind three strikes being applied in this case. I would hope it is applied equally to any offender of similar background regardless of race or station. But I support it only because it removes an immediate problem from the streets. It’s a screaming shame & indictment that there are no alternatives, and nothing in the way of useful intervention in prison.

                • One Anonymous Knucklehead …
                  30 April 2013 at 8:33 pm

                  The sentencing changes were made in response to public concern about repeat offenders re-offending too often.

                  1.Says who? Citation needed.

                  2. If recidivism were the problem, why implement policy that makes it worse?

                  The policy was made in response to deliberate demagoguery and atrocious media ethics.

                  • Pascal's bookie …
                    30 April 2013 at 8:47 pm

                    I seem to recall that the party promoting ‘three strikes’ got fuck all votes, and exactly one MP, and he only got there because he had a cup of tea with the PM.

                  • Arfamo …
                    30 April 2013 at 9:06 pm

                    1. Says who? My opinion only – but based on following media and public commentary at the time the legislation was introduced and passed. The 1999 CIR, even though it was appallingly worded, got a 91% yes vote for stronger penalties and better victim support from NZers.

                    2. If recidivism were the problem, why implement policy that makes it worse? I’m not convinced that it’ll necessarily make it worse, and not in this offender’s case. Seems to me he stands a good chance of getting worse left free to roam on his own initiative anyway.

                    • Pascal's bookie …
                      30 April 2013 at 9:11 pm

                      Well the important point about this case is that his record of 70+ offences is not in any way relevant to his sentencing. I agree that it ought to be.

                      But the only offences that are relevant to his sentencing are the strikes. And they would be just as relevant, and in the same way, if those strike offences were the only ones he had.

                      So his record is just a big old red herring, actually.

                    • One Anonymous Knucklehead …
                      30 April 2013 at 9:15 pm

                      I’m not convinced…

                      Clearly. Confused would be a better description. I expect it’s because you’ve been letting Garth McVicar do your “thinking” for you.

                    • Arfamo …
                      30 April 2013 at 9:21 pm

                      Well, no, Garth could be wrong. Or right in some cases. So could you. What’s your alternative solution to prevent this young man reoffending and anyone else becoming a victim, from the available alternatives at the moment?

                    • One Anonymous Knucklehead …
                      30 April 2013 at 9:29 pm

                      Oh for fuck’s sake! Are you incapable of reading the thread, the links provided therein? In the context of judicial independence what possible Earthly relevance is my opinion of the appropriate sentence for this individual?

                      Like Tony Soprano, I have come to realise that crime isn’t all about me and my teenaged vigilante fantasies. Can you please make an attempt to grasp that?

                    • felix …
                      30 April 2013 at 9:30 pm

                      “What’s your alternative solution…”

                      Sorry, I don’t follow. Has there been something proposed that might stop him reoffending?

                      All I’ve seen is calls for him to be locked up, which demonstrably fails in that respect.

                    • Arfamo …
                      30 April 2013 at 9:38 pm

                      Well if he’s locked up it stops the offending for now. Judicial independence is never unconstrained.

                    • felix …
                      30 April 2013 at 10:14 pm

                      Ah sorry, I had thought you might be unaware of the facts.

                      I didn’t realise you’d actually made a conscious decision to ignore all the available evidence, all of which tells us that your approach increases recidivism

                      My bad.

                    • Murray Olsen …
                      1 May 2013 at 2:25 am

                      When we consider penal policy, or social, financial or anything else, considering them solely on their effect on one person is very misleading. It’s easy to lock this guy up, or even torture him to death. Sure, he wouldn’t reoffend, but plenty of others would take his place. Concentrating on one person just makes more of the victims that McVicar pretends to support.

                      Exactly the same thing happens with unemployment – Paula Bennett can always take one beneficiary and get them a job. She can’t get jobs for 200,000, so instead she wants to belittle and punish them.

                      These are not individual problems – they are systemic to society, even if they impact at the individual level. The answers must be found at the societal level, but those who don’t believe in society are left with their creepy prison rape fantasies. We cannot let them win.

                    • rosy …
                      1 May 2013 at 4:36 am

                      “These are not individual problems – they are systemic to society, even if they impact at the individual level. ”

                      Come on Murray, you know these people with the rape fantasies want no money spent on ensuring kids from dysfunctional homes have absolutely no support from society to improve their health, education and living conditions – parental responsibility and all that – yet when these kids grow up and violently offend, as some are bound to do, they quite forget they were willing to leave them in the mire and are eager as hell to spend the taxpayer dollar on their prison homes.

  8. Murray Olsen 8
    30 April 2013 at 6:48 pm

    Apart from the fact that harsh punishment policies never seem to work and are often promoted by the likes of Cappill, I support equal treatment under the law for all. As it is, it’s full on racism which begins when the Police decide to have a look at someone and doesn’t stop until the brown guy is in prison and Garth McVicar has inadvertently left another stain in his leather knickers.
    When a white guy is as likely to be stopped by the police, then arrested, then charged, then convicted, then imprisoned, as a young Maori, then and only then will I discuss sentencing. Until that day, I have as much interest in discussing the details of a racist system of oppression as I have in discussing recipes for whale meat.

  9. Paul 9
    30 April 2013 at 6:51 pm

    Saw an excellent film that looks at the drug war in America and makes a link with the private prison industry there. It’s called ” The House I live in’ directed by Eugene Jarecki. Shows what happens when there is a financial motive behind locking people up.

  10. prism 10
    30 April 2013 at 10:49 pm

    I notice that this young law-breaker is in Hastings. I seem to remember that all the judiciary in the wider area have adopted a get tough policy and are setting their own precedents for crimes with the result of escalating the punitive options.

  11. infused 11
    1 May 2013 at 12:19 am

    What a cluster fuck. Wore me out reading all this garbage. Interesting to see peoples real views come out in this thread.

  12. BLiP 12
    1 May 2013 at 12:30 am

    ‘

    The road ahead for Aotearoa . . .

    . . . “The defendant argues he didn’t sell juveniles retail. We agree with that. He was selling them wholesale,” said Zubrod, maintaining that the jury found Ciavarella guilty of a racketeering conspiracy for being part of a scheme to extract cash from the construction and operation of the two for-profit centers . . .

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    3 days ago
  • 'Let's build a motorway costing $100 million per km, before emissions costs'

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    TL;DR: The podcast above of the weekly ‘hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers last night features co-hosts and talking with:The Kākā’s climate correspondent talking about the National-ACT-NZ First Government’s release of its first Emissions Reduction Plan;University of Otago Foreign Relations Professor and special guest Dr Karin von ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #29 2024

    Open access notables Improving global temperature datasets to better account for non-uniform warming, Calvert, Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society: To better account for spatial non-uniform trends in warming, a new GITD [global instrumental temperature dataset] was created that used maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) to combine the land surface ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 week ago

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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