Well that pretty much blows Tim clean out of the water. Everything, I mean everything he said was untrue or deceitful. And it makes the Herald look like sleazy lying little grubs.
I can understand Farrar and tyhe likes doing political campaigning on the issue. But the Herald and Tim? They owe us apologies.
The ad is legal because it states his name and residential address along with his opinion. No restriction on free speech under the electoral finance act….
all_your_base
Is it because you are anonymous that you offer no opinion, only a .jpg authorised by somebody else?
Nice one burt . The lefty’s just keep digging a bigger hole for that Liarbour coffin . When lefty’s start turning on each other, as in this case, some would argue that a mutiny has occurred or a division in the socialist ranks .Without solidarity and direction I can rightfully predict that the party is rapidly heading down the political plug hole and all I can say to that is ; good riddance to bad karma.
For anybody to say they are “pro labour ” is beyond belief, because it is a fact that these people are pro corruption .
Labour are criminals and many of them should be in prison .
Good to see someone taking that fool Shadbolt to task for his ridiculous hysterics. Good to see you righties falling for his appalling spin – you lot really are a bunch of suckers.
This shows just how partisan the New Zealand news media is – the fact that the truth about Shadbolt’s bullshit was not investigated by ANY of the newsmedia shows just what a joke they are.
Shadbolt’s the class clown – we should expect this sort of crap from him. The newsmedia should have done some investigation into this rather than swallow Tim’s rhetoric hook, line and sinker.
I think, Insider, that you’ll find the media is not partisan but that it is inept and lazy and that there are structural reasons for that (such as the fact most newsrooms in NZ are driven by profits and the fact that journos are paid very little – the average “communications advisor” gets roughly twice as much as a similarly skilled and experienced journo: why would anyone competent stick around?). Witness the lack of news at the moment (and every silly season) – partly it’s because things are a little quiet but also it’s because the nation’s spindoctors are on holiday.
I’ve been waiting for someone to check out what the hell Shadbolt was saying. It’s incredible that a concerned citizen has to do the research, although a fantastic use of free speech.
Newspapers and TV , WHY AREN’T YOU FACT CHECKING!!!!!!!!!!! ??????
“Andy Moore
Danna, from what you have said, your mother abused you – this is obviously not ok, – a smack applied to a child’s hand or bottom by a loving parent however, is a different thing – and acceptable – http://www.politik.co.nz has march information plus more.”
Do a DNS lookup on http://www.politiks.co.nz – an extremist Christian anti-section 59 website – and lo, its registered in Christchurch (home of Andrew Moore, Christian libertarian)
Sorry to stray off topic, but can you please go on record and tell us if anyone from ‘The standard’ are getting paid or otherwise remunerated to blog? It would be very helpful as there is a lot of speculation right now.
fairfax owned our free speech a long time ago. Murdoch influenced an Aussie election and his type are out to do the same in NZ. A freely thought out vote – what a joke, when we have to rely on far right conservative Nationalowned newspapers and now the Listener to give us objective information for election 2008
Sorry to stray off topic, but can you please go on record and tell us if anyone from ‘The standard’ are getting paid or otherwise remunerated to blog?
Phillp R, as I recall it’s been made quite clear by the site owners that no one here is being paid to blog. The fact blogging duties are shared out among half a dozen or so different people would tend to confirm that.
There’s only one paid blogger in NZ that I know of – his name’s David Farrar and he’s employed at National Party HQ.
Santi, that’s crap and you either know it or are simply too young to have any meaningful knowledge about politics or Hard News. Russell’s clear about his politics but unlike Farrar he is actually a journalist who isn’t dependent upon any political party for his career. You might not agree with him, but he’s no apparachik.
Lucky for Russell that its just the lefties that attack the messenger rather than try to debate the issues (just go to Kiwiblog if you don’t believe me, they said it so it must be true).
Russell Brown is a sell my soul to the highest bidder socialist coward.
I have no doubts that many bloggers on this site are well paid .
Andy Moore is a personal friend of mine and if want a fight please give me a call, as I am only too happy to accommodate any concerns or frustration’s you might have .You all know my details as my blog is often overwhelmed with your cowardly venomous bile. You jellyfish creeps should get a real job .
One last word to the pathetic disgrace to manhood Russell Brown – owner of the Paris Hilton blog theatre . Are you still sacred and frightened of me ?
DPF is not on the Nat payroll to blog… he’s a blogger who happens to also have a job. Much the same, I suspect, a great deal of the members of thestandard.org.
“DPF is not on the Nat payroll to blog. he’s a blogger who happens to also have a job.” A job with the National Party of New Zealand. Just thought I’d mention that bit.
Everyone is frightened of you and for you. You possess a hatred that seems to know no bounds. Why don’t you use your short time on this planet to help people understand you and not constantly seek to intimidate people.By the way never assume you are the only person who has heavy shit to deal with. Do what that Jesus guy suggested for once.
What a bummer that the Nats have come out and disowned the rabid, motley bunch of anti-EFA melcontents. That’s the smartest piece of politics from any side of the past few years.
I’d hoped that they would have been all vocal togther for once the public is made aware of the connected dots of D4J, Whale Oil, Andy Moore and the like and the nature of their vitriolic rantings it will kill any supposed groundswell of support for the right.
The public at large has no idea of how fucked up this rent a mob are. If they are considered to be the voice of the right then ta ta come election time.
No wonder National are distancing themselves for the likes of D4J and Whale Oil can only lose the election for them, not help win it. They are major liabilities despite what their egos tell them.
It will be a right laugh however, if any financial, administrative or strategic lkink is outed between National and any “third party” such as the Hortons. Having now taken the holier than thou position it will kill them once any duplicity is discovered. There is no going back – the rod for the Nat backbone of jelly has just been created.
There is no hyperlink from your name to a blog, I’ll assume that you don’t have one, or that it’s not related to politics and you therefore choose to keep it seperate. So, there’s a difference between someone who chooses to comment in their idle (or not-so idle 🙂 ) time at work, and someone who is in the employ of the National party and clearly devotes a great deal of their time to writing a staunchly pro-National blog.
Your Government Department may not be aware of your blogging, do you think you can say the same for National and Kiwiblog? I think not; it’s disingenuous to suggest a parallel between your commenting, and DPF’s blogging and the commenting he does upon his blog throughout the day.
I’ll accept it was a tenuous link, but I think the point remains relevant.
Does DPF still have that market research business on the side?
Do you think his other clients know about Kiwiblog?
Do you think DPF is, therefore, writing “staunchly pro-client” blogs?
Alternatively, what of those bloggers who also work for the Greens or the Labour Party? Surely there must be a few, and are we to tarr them all with the same biased brush?
“That allows him up to 10 significant posts a day. It’s a good job for some eh.”
Well, he owns the business, he does a lot of his writing early in the morning and times it for release throughout the day. Not only that, he has been blogging for a long time, and comes from newsgroups before that. Its called experience.
“Does DPF still have that market research business on the side?
Do you think his other clients know about Kiwiblog?
Do you think DPF is, therefore, writing “staunchly pro-client” blogs? ”
Given that his blog posts aren’t necssarily related to his Curia clients, I couldn’t say. If he, for example, did volunteer work for the Red Cross I wouldn’t be trying to string a link between them, as there woundn’t be one.
I’m not saying he is a paid blogger per se, (I disagree with that comment for lack of evidence) but that there is a strong link between National party and Farrar, and the National party and the content of his blog; this much is clear.
I can’t think of any other such prolific blogger who is strongly aligned with a political party, but then I haven’t specifically gone out looking or taken an interest. If there are those out there, I would expect them to be strongly representative of the party of which they are a member – you wouldn’t write a political blog that was ideologically opposed to a party you had voluntarily joined!
Going back to your original comment – it’s up to the readers to infer (if they choose to take an interest) to what extent Farrar’s blog is aligned with the National party. I can only say it’s natural to assume there is a strong link given the content, Farrar’s background and current employment.
MP- it’s also worth noting the fact that Farrar’s spin is almost always exactly the same as the party’s. As someone who’s worked inside the party for more than a decade Farrar understands that the key in this game isn’t good analysis, it’s being able to stay on message with the party and repeat the same partisan lines relentlessly – and he does that very well. That’s why I don’t take Farrar seriously. His employment is just the kicker.
“he does a lot of his writing early in the morning and times it for release throughout the day”
wow, you seem to know a lot about it. How many DPF’S are there? I’m sure he posts and writes during the day.
Funnily enough I’m starting to think he fattens up his threads with
various versions of himself. There’s angry conservative businessman, nice “anti socialist” mum, and “i use to vote labour but not anymore” guy . DPF, what a writer.
“there is a strong link between National party and Farrar, and the National party and the content of his blog; this much is clear”
Mmmm lets see. In the past DPF has openly disagreed with National policy. Not just MP misbehaviour, not just statements in the house. POLICY.
Has The Standard?
In the past DPF has complimented the Labour party on its actions and policy.
Will The Standard ever compliment National for anything? The evidence so far doesnt seem to indicate so.
You KNOW who DPF is, you know his background. We dont know anything about the people behind The Standard. And a declaration of independence from someone that remains anonymous doesnt mean too much.
Daveo – I know what you mean but here everything gets taken very literally so I meant that as it’s not his specific contracted job to write kiwiblog, as far as I understand it. Although in truth I don’t know what he does for the Party over and above what is mentioned on his blog. I don’t need to 🙂
I agree with your latest though, that’s what I meant by ‘there is a strong link between … the National party and the content of his blog‘.
yeh, Kimble , DPF occasionally has a go when National isn’t as right wing as he’d like. It’s hardly the spotlight he torches Labour with.
and obviously Kimble you write to the herald complaining about their anonymous editorials.
Most right wing commentators openly use their ‘freemarket” beliefblogs in coordination with their commerce so using their name actually is of benefit to them. It is difficult to question business practise in this blog country without being presented as a anti-capitalist socialist/communist/ fascist. It’s intimidating and detracts from the message. The abuse is too much. Many of us have very important ties to the infrastructure of business and are very strategic with them.
This channel doesn’t actually require names, it requires rational progresive ideas and debate. That’s why it’s revolutionary.
“Will The Standard ever compliment National for anything? The evidence so far doesnt seem to indicate so.”
Well, if the National Party actually ever does anything commendable I’ll certainly commend them for it. I’m not going to hold my breath waiting for them to do so though.
I’m just pleased National has distanced itself from these mouth-foamers. Really they are the party’s achilles heel. I hate to think what embarrassing thing these people are going to do next.
Probably most here hope they will continue in the same vein 😉
The ‘public at large’ is listening right now and will be happy to circulate any new information about D4J, Whaleoil and the like.
Matthew Pilott
From some of the users’ abusive attitudes and given that some of them are in a position to influence any one of our lives I would strongly dissuade anyone from giving their full name.
But what really amazes me is that these are the very people who are screaming out that free speech will disappear and yet they’re trying to take away mine and anyone else’s voice that disagrees with them.
Really it doesn’t make much difference to me who wins this year. Politics doesn’t affect my everyday life, but I enjoy being involved in it – you meet interesting people :-).
Nothing much is going to change if the Nats win – I just think it’s time for someone else to buy the beer – same in the US.
Don’t play victim and make false statements, Jum. Nobody is curtailing your freedom of speech. Quite the contrary.
So why have the anonymous bloggers of the standard stopped blogging about NZ politics, surely not because they would need to provide their full names and residential addresses if they want to express their political opinions…. must be some other reason… either that or the rancid EFB has completely shut them down.
I guess we will know once they resume their anti John Key and anti National party banter. I’m waiting….
—————————————————————–
Hey standard anon blog authors – Don’t vote Labour… what have you got to say about that?
From some of the users’ abusive attitudes and given that some of them are in a position to influence any one of our lives I would strongly dissuade anyone from giving their full name.
Precisely. Apart from the obvious fact that people might have very valid reasons why they feel freer to comment if they don’t have to use their real name, there are people on the right who are so damn creepy and abusive you’d have to fear for your safety if they had your full name and address.
So why have the anonymous bloggers of the standard stopped blogging about NZ politics
Possibly because most of then are still on holiday? Just a hunch…
Burt you drunken old prick. I see you’re still not taking your ritalin and you’re still obsessed with bolding random statements. Now, while you’re mouthing Farrar’s lamentably ignorant dog-whistle talking points about anonymity you may wish to consider this: you post anonymously. If you want to bitch and whine about others failing to use their real names then you might want to lead by example. Or alternatively I could find out who you are (I’m getting pretty good at this) and let folk know. Whaddya say Burt? I was hoping you’d’ve asked santa for a bit of self-reflexivity this xmas but it seem we’re gonna have to face another year of your yapping.
I’ve heard DPF mention that he sets up a lot of posts to time-release, so they don’t all pile on to the site at once.
Yeah I saw DPF claiming that as well so I had a look and as far as I can tell there is no facility in wordpress (or plug-in for it) that allows this to be done. I personally doubt that the Nats would use Farrar for polling because he’s simply too stupid to do it properly. There is no way any major party would entrust the gathering of its raw data to him. In my honest opinion he is getting paid to blog via his “Curia contract”. I mean have you seen the curia website? It’s barely a place holder and I’ve not seen him advertise anywhere – that’s because he doesn’t need to. It’s also why he’s responded so badly to the standard and blogblog – his blogging is his bread and butter, it pays his mortgage. The more he’s shown up the more likely the party is to drop him. Here’s to a bloody and vicious 2008…
“Or I could find out who you are (I’m getting pretty good at this)..”
Really Robinson? I didn’t know that to your eloquence and fine writing abilities, you also add the hound-dog touch.
You’d have done well in Germany of the 30’s.
Hey robinsod – you are a abusive wee #### aren’t you . Wonder if your so lippy man to man ? I would love to find out one day ,and j you are that pathetic I know why I call this site the sub standard sewer .
Hey robinsod and you twisted lefty nutbars – Go #### yourselves – you scum of the earth . Russell Brown like you foaming dogs are pure communist filth . You’re selfish gravy train of government funds makes you deluded righteous creeps and in reality you are just up yourself pricks who are going down this time .
Yes I post anonymously and I post about political issues. It was legal last year – is it legal this year ? What changed Robinsod? Oh that’s right some self serving pricks passed some laws that shut down free speech…..
Or alternatively I could find out who you are (I’m getting pretty good at this) and let folk know..
Waaaa hooo – an anonymous blogger threatening to out another anonymous blogger… Such is life under the EFB I guess, unable to debate the issues the highly pissed off anonymous bloggers start to turn on each other and shooting the messenger is all that remains when the message is off limits….
How about we meet for a beer one night and lets see if you still have the balls to call me a drunken old prick ?
Are you threatening me Burt? I mean, I don’t mind if you are but at least have the guts to say it outright rather than hiding behind the old “meet for a beer” line you coward.
Oh and Burt? Of course it’s legal to write about politics on a blog. Only a fool would think otherwise…
I’m not threatening you at all Robinsod – are you paranoid? It’s simple – if you are obsessing about who I really are then it would be much easier if we meet face to face. If you out me it only proves that what you think is OK for you is not OK for me – which is to be expected from a do as I say not as I do Labour supporter.
If it’s legal to write about politics on a multiple anonymous author blog then why have the authors here at the standard stopped doing it since the EFB passed.
Whaleoil (I know you don’t take anything he says seriously – but he can’t be wrong 100% of the time) seems to think that multiple anonymous author blogs are captured by the EFB – If he correct then this certainly explains why the standard have suddenly stopped posting about NZ political issues.
“Only a fool would think otherwise.” – Time will tell Robinsod – if the authors here at the standard get back to their previous form somebody might just want to take it as a test case. Very embarrassing for the standard having defended the EFB if it’s shut them down.
OK Burt – use the old trick of making a veiled threat and then backing out of it if you want but that just shows everyone here what a total coward you are. I’m sure the standard would welcome a test case but let’s face it anything that retarded chimp Whale comes out with is 99% likely to be wrong so I can’t see it happening in the near future.
As far as outing you goes Burt – I have no intention of doing so (though I’ve been doing ok since I was outed by the aforementioned chimp). Oh and Burt? There’s no way you could do as I do – you lack the basic intelligence to even approach what I do.
use the old trick of making a veiled threat and then backing out of it if you want but that just shows everyone here what a total coward you are.
That after: “Or alternatively I could find out who you are (I’m getting pretty good at this) and let folk know..” followed by “As far as outing you goes Burt – I have no intention of doing so”.
Pots and kettles…. Guess you realised what a hypocrite you were posing anonymously threatening to out other anonymous posters.
Oh and Burt? There’s no way you could do as I do – you lack the basic intelligence to even approach what I do.
I do agree I’d need to work pretty hard to make as much of a fool of myself as you just did – but I think it was a lack of intelligence that you didn’t notice you were doing exactly what you were incorrectly denigrating me for doing.
Keep it Robinsod, the short bus will be along shortly to take you to remedial reasoning classes.
I always thought the sub standard ward must have a resident psychiatrist .It is very useful to have a Sigmund loop doctor close by . I’ve got one and she is called my shadow . Cool I can handle that and I hope you don’t stock no hinamanu psychotic wind up drugs in this unit over here? Because I just got a month sin bin over at kiwiblog for threating to punch the ####’# lights out .
Sod that wasn’t bad wit and satire and it is great to see you and burt going for it hammering and tongs . Must go pills to take, another zombie day in Helengrad . Cheers big ears .
If it’s legal to write about politics on a multiple anonymous author blog then why have the authors here at the standard stopped doing it since the EFB passed.
Whaleoil (I know you don’t take anything he says seriously – but he can’t be wrong 100% of the time) seems to think that multiple anonymous author blogs are captured by the EFB – If he correct then this certainly explains why the standard have suddenly stopped posting about NZ political issues.
“Only a fool would think otherwise.” – Time will tell Robinsod – if the authors here at the standard get back to their previous form somebody might just want to take it as a test case. Very embarrassing for the standard having defended the EFB if it’s shut them down.
Burt you don’t understand the EFB, and nor does Whale. Blogs are exempt, in fact specifically so.
And the reason we weren’t posting was because we were on holiday. Some of us still are. Hmmm, when you look back that’s kind of an embarrassing diatribe you’ve got there, eh?
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The proposed Waimate garbage incinerator is dead: The company behind a highly-controversial proposal to build a waste-to-energy plant in the Waimate District no longer has the land. [...] However, SIRRL director Paul Taylor said the sales and purchase agreement to purchase land from Murphy Farms, near Glenavy, lapsed at ...
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December 2024 photo - with UK Tory Boris Johnson (Source: Facebook)Those PollsFor hours, political poll results have resounded across political hallways and commentary.According to the 1News Verizon poll, 50% of the country believe we are heading in the “wrong direction”, while 39% believe we are “on the right track”.The left ...
A Tai Rāwhiti mill that ran for 30 years before it was shut down in late 2023 is set to re-open in the coming months, which will eventually see nearly 300 new jobs in the region. A new report from Massey University shows that pensioners are struggling with rising costs. ...
As support continues to fall, Luxon also now faces his biggest internal ructions within the coalition since the election, with David Seymour reacting badly to being criticised by the PM. File photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāLong stories short, the top six things in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate ...
Not since 1988 when Richard Prebble openly criticised David Lange have we seen such a challenge to a Prime Minister as that of David Seymour to Christopher Luxon last night. Prebble suggested Lange had mental health issues during a TV interview and was almost immediately fired. Seymour hasn’t gone quite ...
Three weeks in, and the 24/7 news cycle is not helping anyone feel calm and informed about the second Trump presidency. One day, the US is threatening 25% trade tariffs on its friends and neighbours. The reasons offered by the White House are absurd, such as stopping fentanyl coming in ...
This video includes personal musings and conclusions of the creator climate scientist Dr. Adam Levy. It is presented to our readers as an informed perspective. Please see video description for references (if any). Wherever you look, you'll hear headlines claiming we've passed 1.5 degrees of global warming. And while 2024 saw ...
Photo by Heather M. Edwards on UnsplashHere’s the key news, commentary, reports and debate around Aotearoa’s politics and economy in the week to Feb 10 below. That’s ahead of live chats on the Substack App and The Kākā’s front page on Substack at 5pm with: on his column in The ...
Is there anyone in the world the National Party loves more than a campaign donor? Why yes, there is! They will always have the warmest hello and would you like to slip into something more comfortable for that great god of our age, the High Net Worth Individual.The words the ...
Waste and fraud certainly exist in foreign aid programs, but rightwing celebration of USAID’s dismantling shows profound ignorance of the value of soft power (as opposed to hard power) in projecting US influence and interests abroad by non-military/coercive means (think of “hearts and minds,” “hugs, not bullets,” “honey versus vinegar,” ...
Health New Zealand is proposing to cut almost half of its data and digital positions – more than 1000 of them. The PSA has called on the Privacy Commissioner to urgently investigate the cuts due to the potential for serious consequences for patients. NZNO is calling for an urgent increase ...
We may see a few more luxury cars on Queen Street, but a loosening of rules to entice rich foreigners to invest more here is unlikely to “turbocharge our economic growth”. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāLong stories short, the top six things in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate ...
Let us not dance daintily around the elephant in the room. Our politicians who serve us in the present are not honest, certainly not as honest as they should be, and while the right are taking out most of the trophies for warping narratives and literally redefining “facts”, the kiwi ...
A few weeks ago I took a look at public transport ridership in 2024. In today’s post I’m going to be looking a bit deeper at bus ridership. Buses make up the vast majority of ridership in Auckland with 70 million boardings last year out of a total of 89.4 ...
Oh, you know I did itIt's over and I feel fineNothing you could say is gonna change my mindWaited and I waited the longest nightNothing like the taste of sweet declineSongwriters: Chris Shiflett / David Eric Grohl / Nate Mendel / Taylor Hawkins.Hindsight is good, eh?The clarity when the pieces ...
Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on UnsplashHere’s what we’re watching in the week to February 16 and beyond in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty:Monday, February 10The Kākā’s weekly wrap-up of news about politics and the economy is due at midday, followed by webinar for paying subscribers in Substack’s ...
A listing of 23 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, February 2, 2025 thru Sat, February 8, 2025. This week's roundup is again published soleley by category. We are still interested in feedback to hone the categorization, so if ...
Today, I stumbled across a Twitter Meme: the ending of The Lord of the Rings as a Chess scenario: https://x.com/mellon_heads/status/1887983845917564991 It gets across the basic gist. Aragorn and Gandalf offering up ‘material’ at the Morannon allows Frodo and Samwise to catch Sauron unawares – fair enough. But there are a ...
Last week, Kieran McAnulty called out Chris Bishop and Nicola Willis for their claims that Kāinga Ora’s costs were too high.They had claimed Kāinga Ora’s cost were 12% higher than market i.e. private devlopersBut Kāinga Ora’s Chair had already explained why last year:"We're not building to sell, so we'll be ...
Stuff’s Political Editor Luke Malpass - A Fellow at New Zealand IniativeLast week I half-joked that Stuff / The Post’s Luke Malpass1 always sounded like he was auditioning for a job at the New Zealand Initiative.Mountain Tui is a reader-supported publication. For a limited time, subscriptions are 20% off. Thanks ...
At a funeral on Friday, there were A4-sized photos covering every wall of the Dil’s reception lounge. There must have been 200 of them, telling the story in the usual way of the video reel but also, by enlargement, making it more possible to linger and step in.Our friend Nicky ...
Skeptical Science is partnering with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. This fact brief was written by Sue Bin Park from the Gigafact team in collaboration with members from our team. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Is methane the ...
The Government’s idea is that the private sector and Community Housing Providers will fund, build and operate new affordable housing to address our housing crisis. Meanwhile, the Government does not know where almost half of the 1,700 children who left emergency housing actually went. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāLong ...
Oh, home, let me come homeHome is wherever I'm with youOh, home, let me come homeHome is wherever I'm with youSongwriters: Alexander Ebert / Jade Allyson CastrinosMorena,I’m on a tight time frame this morning. In about an hour and a half, I’ll need to pack up and hit the road ...
This is a post about the Mountain Tui substack, and small tweaks - further to the poll and request post the other day. Please don’t read if you aren’t interested in my personal matters. Thank you all.After oohing-and-aahing about how to structure the Substack model since November, including obtaining ...
This transcript of a recent conversation between the Prime Minister and his chief economic adviser has not been verified.We’ve announced we are the ‘Yes Government’. Do you like it?Yes, Prime Minister.Dreamed up by the PR team. It’s about being committed to growth. Not that the PR team know anything about ...
The other day, Australian Senator Nick McKim issued a warning in the Australian Parliement about the US’s descent into fascim.And of course it’s true, but I lament - that was true as soon as Trump won.What we see is now simply the reification of the intention, planning, and forces behind ...
Among the many other problems associated with Musk/DOGE sending a fleet of teenage and twenty-something cultists to remove, copy and appropriate federal records like social security, medicaid and other supposedly protected data is the fact that the youngsters doing the data-removal, copying and security protocol and filter code over-writing have ...
Jokerman dance to the nightingale tuneBird fly high by the light of the moonOh, oh, oh, JokermanSong by Bob Dylan.Morena folks, I hope this fine morning of the 7th of February finds you well. We're still close to Paihia, just a short drive out of town. Below is the view ...
It’s been an eventful week as always, so here’s a few things that we have found interesting. We also hope everyone had a happy and relaxing Waitangi Day! This week in Greater Auckland We’re still running on summer time, but provided two chewy posts: On Tuesday, a guest ...
Queuing on Queen St: the Government is set to announce another apparently splashy growth policy on Sunday of offering residence visas to wealthy migrants. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāLong stories short, the top six things in our political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Friday, February 7:PM Christopher ...
The fact that Waitangi ended up being such a low-key affair may mark it out as one of the most significant Waitangi Days in recent years. A group of women draped in “Toitu Te Tiriti” banners who turned their backs on the politicians’ powhiri was about as rough as it ...
National’s cuts to disability support funding and freezing of new residential placements has resulted in significant mental health decline for intellectually disabled people. ...
The hundreds of jobs lost needlessly as a result of the Kinleith Mill paper production closure will have a devastating impact on the Tokoroa community - something that could have easily been avoided. ...
Today Te Pāti Māori MP for Te Tai Tokerau, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi, released her members bill that will see the return of tamariki and mokopuna Māori from state care back to te iwi Māori. This bill will establish an independent authority that asserts and protects the rights promised in He Whakaputanga ...
The Whangarei District Council being forced to fluoridate their local water supply is facing a despotic Soviet-era disgrace. This is not a matter of being pro-fluoride or anti-fluoride. It is a matter of what New Zealanders see and value as democracy in our country. Individual democratically elected Councillors are not ...
Nicola Willis’ latest supermarket announcement is painfully weak with no new ideas, no real plan, and no relief for Kiwis struggling with rising grocery costs. ...
Half of Pacific children sometimes going without food is just one of many heartbreaking lowlights in the Salvation Army’s annual State of the Nation report. ...
The Salvation Army’s State of the Nation report is a bleak indictment on the failure of Government to take steps to end poverty, with those on benefits, including their children, hit hardest. ...
New Zealand First has today introduced a Member’s Bill which would restore decision-making power to local communities regarding the fluoridation of drinking water. The ‘Fluoridation (Referendum) Legislation Bill’ seeks to repeal the Health (Fluoridation of Drinking Water) Amendment Act 2021 that granted centralised authority to the Direct General of Health ...
New Zealand First has introduced a Member’s Bill aimed at preventing banks from refusing their services to businesses because of the current “Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Framework”. “This Bill ensures fairness and prevents ESG standards from perpetuating woke ideology in the banking sector being driven by unelected, globalist, climate ...
Erica Stanford has reached peak shortsightedness if today’s announcement is anything to go by, picking apart immigration settings piece by piece to the detriment of the New Zealand economy. ...
Our originating document, theTreaty of Waitangi, was signed on February 6, 1840. An agreement between Māori and the British Crown. Initially inked by Ngā Puhi in Waitangi, further signatures were added as it travelled south. The intention was to establish a colony with the cession of sovereignty to the Crown, ...
Te Whatu Ora Chief Executive Margie Apa leaving her job four months early is another symptom of this government’s failure to deliver healthcare for New Zealanders. ...
The Green Party is calling for the Prime Minister to show leadership and be unequivocal about Aotearoa New Zealand’s opposition to a proposal by the US President to remove Palestinians from Gaza. ...
The latest unemployment figures reveal that job losses are hitting Māori and Pacific people especially hard, with Māori unemployment reaching a staggering 9.7% for the December 2024 quarter and Pasifika unemployment reaching 10.5%. ...
Waitangi 2025: Waitangi Day must be community and not politically driven - Shane Jones Our originating document, theTreaty of Waitangi, was signed on February 6, 1840. An agreement between Māori and the British Crown. Initially inked by Ngā Puhi in Waitangi, further signatures were added as it travelled south. ...
Despite being confronted every day with people in genuine need being stopped from accessing emergency housing – National still won’t commit to building more public houses. ...
The Green Party says the Government is giving up on growing the country’s public housing stock, despite overwhelming evidence that we need more affordable houses to solve the housing crisis. ...
Before any thoughts of the New Year and what lies ahead could even be contemplated, New Zealand reeled with the tragedy of Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming losing her life. For over 38 years she had faithfully served as a front-line Police officer. Working alongside her was Senior Sergeant Adam Ramsay ...
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson will return to politics at Waitangi on Monday the 3rd of February where she will hold a stand up with fellow co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick. ...
Te Pāti Māori is appalled by the government's blatant mishandling of the school lunch programme. David Seymour’s ‘cost-saving’ measures have left tamariki across Aotearoa with unidentifiable meals, causing distress and outrage among parents and communities alike. “What’s the difference between providing inedible food, and providing no food at all?” Said ...
The Government is doubling down on outdated and volatile fossil fuels, showing how shortsighted and destructive their policies are for working New Zealanders. ...
Green Party MP Steve Abel this morning joined Coromandel locals in Waihi to condemn new mining plans announced by Shane Jones in the pit of the town’s Australian-owned Gold mine. ...
The Green Party is calling on the Government to strengthen its just-announced 2030-2035 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement and address its woeful lack of commitment to climate security. ...
Today marks a historic moment for Taranaki iwi with the passing of the Te Pire Whakatupua mō Te Kāhui Tupua/Taranaki Maunga Collective Redress Bill in Parliament. "Today, we stand together as descendants of Taranaki, and our tūpuna, Taranaki Maunga, is now formally acknowledged by the law as a living tūpuna. ...
Labour is relieved to see Children’s Minister Karen Chhour has woken up to reality and reversed her government’s terrible decisions to cut funding from frontline service providers – temporarily. ...
It is the first week of David Seymour’s school lunch programme and already social media reports are circulating of revolting meals, late deliveries, and mislabelled packaging. ...
The Green Party says that with no-cause evictions returning from today, the move to allow landlords to end tenancies without reason plunges renters, and particularly families who rent, into insecurity and stress. ...
The Government’s commitment to get New Zealand’s roads back on track is delivering strong results, with around 98 per cent of potholes on state highways repaired within 24 hours of identification every month since targets were introduced, Transport Minister Chris Bishop says. “Increasing productivity to help rebuild our economy is ...
The former Cadbury factory will be the site of the Inpatient Building for the new Dunedin Hospital and Health Minister Simeon Brown says actions have been taken to get the cost overruns under control. “Today I am giving the people of Dunedin certainty that we will build the new Dunedin ...
From today, Plunket in Whāngarei will be offering childhood immunisations – the first of up to 27 sites nationwide, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. The investment of $1 million into the pilot, announced in October 2024, was made possible due to the Government’s record $16.68 billion investment in health. It ...
New Zealand’s strong commitment to the rights of disabled people has continued with the response to an important United Nations report, Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston has announced. Of the 63 concluding observations of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), 47 will be progressed ...
Resources Minister Shane Jones has launched New Zealand’s national Minerals Strategy and Critical Minerals List, documents that lay a strategic and enduring path for the mineral sector, with the aim of doubling exports to $3 billion by 2035. Mr Jones released the documents, which present the Coalition Government’s transformative vision ...
Firstly I want to thank OceanaGold for hosting our event today. Your operation at Waihi is impressive. I want to acknowledge local MP Scott Simpson, local government dignitaries, community stakeholders and all of you who have gathered here today. It’s a privilege to welcome you to the launch of the ...
Racing Minister, Winston Peters has announced the Government is preparing public consultation on GST policy proposals which would make the New Zealand racing industry more competitive. “The racing industry makes an important economic contribution. New Zealand thoroughbreds are in demand overseas as racehorses and for breeding. The domestic thoroughbred industry ...
Business confidence remains very high and shows the economy is on track to improve, Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis says. “The latest ANZ Business Outlook survey, released yesterday, shows business confidence and expected own activity are ‘still both very high’.” The survey reports business confidence fell eight points to +54 ...
Enabling works have begun this week on an expanded radiology unit at Hawke’s Bay Fallen Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital which will double CT scanning capacity in Hawke’s Bay to ensure more locals can benefit from access to timely, quality healthcare, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. This investment of $29.3m in the ...
The Government has today announced New Zealand’s second international climate target under the Paris Agreement, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand will reduce emissions by 51 to 55 per cent compared to 2005 levels, by 2035. “We have worked hard to set a target that is both ambitious ...
Nine years of negotiations between the Crown and iwi of Taranaki have concluded following Te Pire Whakatupua mō Te Kāhui Tupua/the Taranaki Maunga Collective Redress Bill passing its third reading in Parliament today, Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “This Bill addresses the historical grievances endured by the eight iwi ...
As schools start back for 2025, there will be a relentless focus on teaching the basics brilliantly so all Kiwi kids grow up with the knowledge, skills and competencies needed to grow the New Zealand of the future, Education Minister Erica Stanford says. “A world-leading education system is a key ...
Housing Minister Chris Bishop and Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson have welcomed Kāinga Ora’s decision to re-open its tender for carpets to allow wool carpet suppliers to bid. “In 2024 Kāinga Ora issued requests for tender (RFTs) seeking bids from suppliers to carpet their properties,” Mr Bishop says. “As part ...
Associate Education Minister David Seymour has today visited Otahuhu College where the new school lunch programme has served up healthy lunches to students in the first days of the school year. “As schools open in 2025, the programme will deliver nutritious meals to around 242,000 students, every school day. On ...
Minister for Children Karen Chhour has intervened in Oranga Tamariki’s review of social service provider contracts to ensure Barnardos can continue to deliver its 0800 What’s Up hotline. “When I found out about the potential impact to this service, I asked Oranga Tamariki for an explanation. Based on the information ...
A bill to make revenue collection on imported and exported goods fairer and more effective had its first reading in Parliament, Customs Minister Casey Costello said today. “The Customs (Levies and Other Matters) Amendment Bill modernises the way in which Customs can recover the costs of services that are needed ...
Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Department of Internal Affairs [the Department] has achieved significant progress in completing applications for New Zealand citizenship. “December 2024 saw the Department complete 5,661 citizenship applications, the most for any month in 2024. This is a 54 per cent increase compared ...
Reversals to Labour’s blanket speed limit reductions begin tonight and will be in place by 1 July, says Minister of Transport Chris Bishop. “The previous government was obsessed with slowing New Zealanders down by imposing illogical and untargeted speed limit reductions on state highways and local roads. “National campaigned on ...
Finance Minister Nicola Willis has announced Budget 2025 – the Growth Budget - will be delivered on Thursday 22 May. “This year’s Budget will drive forward the Government’s plan to grow our economy to improve the incomes of New Zealanders now and in the years ahead. “Budget 2025 will build ...
For the Government, 2025 will bring a relentless focus on unleashing the growth we need to lift incomes, strengthen local businesses and create opportunity. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today laid out the Government’s growth agenda in his Statement to Parliament. “Just over a year ago this Government was elected by ...
Associate Education Minister David Seymour welcomes students back to school with a call to raise attendance from last year. “The Government encourages all students to attend school every day because there is a clear connection between being present at school and setting yourself up for a bright future,” says Mr ...
The Government is relaxing visitor visa requirements to allow tourists to work remotely while visiting New Zealand, Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis, Immigration Minister Erica Stanford and Tourism Minister Louise Upston say. “The change is part of the Government’s plan to unlock New Zealand’s potential by shifting the country onto ...
Hundreds of engineers are losing their jobs and leaving our shores due to infrastructure project delays, creating "significant" risk to our nation's development, says the head of New Zealand's engineering body. ...
By Caleb Fotheringham, RNZ Pacific journalist Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown says the deal with China “complements, not replaces” the relationship with New Zealand after signing it yesterday. Brown said “The Action Plan for Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) 2025-2030” provides a structured framework for engagement between the Cook Islands ...
The government should not set military style academies into youth justice law, the children's commissioner says, despite its first bootcamp getting a glowing report. ...
The infamous over-the-suit T-shirt worn by the PM at a Parliament barbecue has gone on sale to raise funds for children living in poverty, in a TradeMe auction. ...
MONDAYSheriff Seymour rode slowly down the main street of Dodge on his faithful white horse Atlas Network.He liked what he saw.Children were being fed free lunches prepared by kind people who collected the scraps from an offal rendering plant.“Very strongly flavoured liver, such as ox liver, can be soaked overnight ...
Once upon a time it was all about being an astronaut, a firefighter or doctor; but these days kids have their sights set on becoming vloggers or YouTubers.That’s according to a 2019 study by Lego that surveyed 3000 children between the ages of eight to 12 from the US, the ...
Madeleine Chapman reflects on the week that was. From the moment I started high school and realised almost every other girl in my year was at least partially interested in what the boys were up to, I realised that I would be single for life. The feeling wasn’t one of ...
The Pacific profiles series shines a light on Pacific people in Aotearoa doing interesting and important work in their communities, as nominated by members of the public. Today, Selina Alesana Alefosio.All photos by Geoffery Matautia.On a bright Sunday morning from her grandparent’s home in Pito-one, I spoke with ...
The White Lotus star reflects on her life in TV, including the local ad reference that doesn’t work in Australia, and her bananas co-star on Neighbours.Morgana O’Reilly was scrolling her phone next to her sleeping son on an idle Saturday morning when she got the call confirming that she ...
Claire Mabey explores the pros and cons of puff quotes on book covers.In January, Publishers Weekly put out an article by Sean Manning – publisher of Simon & Schuster’s flagship US imprint – in which he said he’d “no longer require authors to obtain blurbs for their books”.The ...
New Zealand’s Entomological Society is hosting its annual bug of the year contest. Here are some of the insects in the running. For some reason – perhaps humans’ inherent competitiveness, the idealisation of democracy, the need to demarcate winners and losers – one of the best ways to get people ...
A journey along the border, with words and illustrations by Bob Kerr.The Spinoff Essay showcases the best essayists in Aotearoa, on topics big and small. Made possible by the generous support of our members.The Sunset Limited leaves Union Station New Orleans on time at nine in the morning. We ...
Neville Peat is the 2024 recipient of the Prime Minister’s Award for Literary Achievement in nonfiction. He’s written 56 books, mostly on natural history; this excerpt is from The Falcon and the Lark: A New Zealand High Country Journal, first published in 1992. The falcon wintering on the Rock and ...
It was a light-hearted gesture Greta Pilkington will be forever grateful for – thanks to an Aussie rival who jumped in when the Olympic sailor couldn’t be at her own graduation.Pilkington, then 20, had been leading a double life – while qualifying for the 2024 Paris Olympics in the ILCA ...
I was born in the back of my grandfather’s ute, by an overgrown windbreak in a remote place called Wahi-Rakauyou can’t find on a map. I was born a girl but given the man’s name Harvey, as my dad always wanted a violent-minded boy to one day help him ...
“We’re not here to interfere in people’s property rights,” Ngāi Tahu’s Te Maire Tau has told the High Court.Tau, a historian, Upoko (traditional leader) of Ngāi Tūāhuriri, and a university professor of history, is the lead witness in a case designed to force the Crown to recognise the tribe’s rangatiratanga ...
Pacific Media Watch Trump administration officials barred two Associated Press (AP) reporters from covering White House events this week because the US-based independent news agency did not change its style guide to align with the president’s political agenda. The AP is being punished for using the term “Gulf of Mexico,” ...
By Lydia Lewis, RNZ Pacific Presenter/Bulletin editor France’s top diplomat in the Pacific region says talks around the “unfreezing” of New Caledonia’s highly controversial electoral roll are back on the table. The French government intended to make a constitutional amendment that would lift restrictions prescribed under the Nouméa Accord, which ...
By bringing these global voices to the fight for free expression in New Zealand, we’ll continue to protect and expand our culture of free speech, says Nathan Seiuli, the Free Speech Union's Events Manager. ...
The issue is no longer a hypothetical one. US President Donald Trump will not explicitly suggest death camps, but he has already consented to Israel’s continuing a war that is not a war but rather a barbaric assault on a desolate stretch of land. From there, the road to annihilation is ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Cecelia Cmielewski, Research Fellow, Institute for Culture and Society, Western Sydney University To be selected as the artist and curator team to represent Australia at the Venice Biennale is considered the ultimate exhibition for an artistic team. To have your selection rescinded, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Steve Turton, Adjunct Professor of Environmental Geography, CQUniversity Australia Severe Tropical Cyclone Zelia is bearing down on the northwest coast of Australia and is likely to make landfall early Friday evening. It’s a monster storm of great concern to Western Australia. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Danielle Ireland-Piper, Associate Professor, ANU National Security College, Australian National University A Victorian government decision to allow dingo culling in the state’s east until 2028 has reignited debate over what has been dubbed Australia’s most controversial animal. Animals Australia, an animal welfare ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Hassan Vally, Associate Professor, Epidemiology, Deakin University Overnight, Robert F. Kennedy Jr was confirmed as the secretary of the US Health and Human Services Department. Put simply, this makes him the most influential figure in overseeing the health and wellbeing of more ...
Everything you missed from day five of the Treaty principles bill hearings, when the Justice Committee heard eight hours of submissions.Read our recaps of the previous hearings here.It was another work from home day for the Justice Committee, the only people in Room 3 being security guards, committee ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Milad Haghani, Associate Professor & Principal Fellow in Urban Risk & Resilience, The University of Melbourne Juris Teivans/Shutterstock In Australia, fatal road crashes are climbing again, especially since the pandemic, and despite years of attempts to reduce road trauma, the numbers ...
In its eagerness to appease supporters of Israel, the media is happy to ride roughshod over due process and basic rights. It’s damaging Australia’s (and New Zealand’s?) democracy.COMMENTARY:By Bernard Keane Two moments stand out so far from the Federal Court hearings relating to Antoinette Lattouf’s sacking by the ...
Well that pretty much blows Tim clean out of the water. Everything, I mean everything he said was untrue or deceitful. And it makes the Herald look like sleazy lying little grubs.
I can understand Farrar and tyhe likes doing political campaigning on the issue. But the Herald and Tim? They owe us apologies.
The lead article in today’s SDT outlines councillers concerns over his actions and the editorial tells him to pull his wolly head in
So…
The ad is legal because it states his name and residential address along with his opinion. No restriction on free speech under the electoral finance act….
all_your_base
Is it because you are anonymous that you offer no opinion, only a .jpg authorised by somebody else?
Nice one burt . The lefty’s just keep digging a bigger hole for that Liarbour coffin . When lefty’s start turning on each other, as in this case, some would argue that a mutiny has occurred or a division in the socialist ranks .Without solidarity and direction I can rightfully predict that the party is rapidly heading down the political plug hole and all I can say to that is ; good riddance to bad karma.
For anybody to say they are “pro labour ” is beyond belief, because it is a fact that these people are pro corruption .
Labour are criminals and many of them should be in prison .
A Labour supporter supporting less spending on education!?!
Quick, take him out to be slowly drowned.
Good to see someone taking that fool Shadbolt to task for his ridiculous hysterics. Good to see you righties falling for his appalling spin – you lot really are a bunch of suckers.
This shows just how partisan the New Zealand news media is – the fact that the truth about Shadbolt’s bullshit was not investigated by ANY of the newsmedia shows just what a joke they are.
Shadbolt’s the class clown – we should expect this sort of crap from him. The newsmedia should have done some investigation into this rather than swallow Tim’s rhetoric hook, line and sinker.
I think, Insider, that you’ll find the media is not partisan but that it is inept and lazy and that there are structural reasons for that (such as the fact most newsrooms in NZ are driven by profits and the fact that journos are paid very little – the average “communications advisor” gets roughly twice as much as a similarly skilled and experienced journo: why would anyone competent stick around?). Witness the lack of news at the moment (and every silly season) – partly it’s because things are a little quiet but also it’s because the nation’s spindoctors are on holiday.
I’ve been waiting for someone to check out what the hell Shadbolt was saying. It’s incredible that a concerned citizen has to do the research, although a fantastic use of free speech.
Newspapers and TV , WHY AREN’T YOU FACT CHECKING!!!!!!!!!!! ??????
And meanwhile, Russell Brown exposes the lies of Andy Moore…
http://www.publicaddress.net/system/topic,906.sm?p=39172#post39172
Typically, none of the Herald’s “journalists” bothered to do a simple DNS look up.
Ah yes good ol’ Whale – the truth is that info about who’s behind DVL has been kicking around since the first of Jan ( http://kiwiblogblog.wordpress.com/2008/01/01/contriving-martyrdom/#comment-4156 ) yet eight days later the Herald is still misattributing the site’s ownership. What a fuckin joke.
And since the Herald’s journalists won’t do their job, try this on for size:
From:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/feature/story.cfm?c_id=1501154&objectid=10431152&pnum=0
“Andy Moore
Danna, from what you have said, your mother abused you – this is obviously not ok, – a smack applied to a child’s hand or bottom by a loving parent however, is a different thing – and acceptable – http://www.politik.co.nz has march information plus more.”
Do a DNS lookup on http://www.politiks.co.nz – an extremist Christian anti-section 59 website – and lo, its registered in Christchurch (home of Andrew Moore, Christian libertarian)
registrant_contact_name: mybook
registrant_contact_address1: P.O. Box 8979
registrant_contact_city: christchurch
registrant_contact_country: NZ (NEW ZEALAND)
registrant_contact_phone: 64 3 3574599
registrant_contact_email: *****@gmail.com
%
admin_contact_name: mybook
admin_contact_address1: P.O. Box 8979
admin_contact_city: christchurch
admin_contact_country: NZ (NEW ZEALAND)
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Ring the mobile number and lo, one is answered by the voice mail of… Andrew Moore.
Hi Guys,
Sorry to stray off topic, but can you please go on record and tell us if anyone from ‘The standard’ are getting paid or otherwise remunerated to blog? It would be very helpful as there is a lot of speculation right now.
Cheers
fairfax owned our free speech a long time ago. Murdoch influenced an Aussie election and his type are out to do the same in NZ. A freely thought out vote – what a joke, when we have to rely on far right conservative Nationalowned newspapers and now the Listener to give us objective information for election 2008
Sorry to stray off topic, but can you please go on record and tell us if anyone from ‘The standard’ are getting paid or otherwise remunerated to blog?
Phillp R, as I recall it’s been made quite clear by the site owners that no one here is being paid to blog. The fact blogging duties are shared out among half a dozen or so different people would tend to confirm that.
There’s only one paid blogger in NZ that I know of – his name’s David Farrar and he’s employed at National Party HQ.
“And meanwhile, Russell Brown exposes the lies of Andy Moore.”
Who is Russell Brown but a well known Labour operative? His opinion is as important as Tane’s, meaning close to nil.
Santi, that’s crap and you either know it or are simply too young to have any meaningful knowledge about politics or Hard News. Russell’s clear about his politics but unlike Farrar he is actually a journalist who isn’t dependent upon any political party for his career. You might not agree with him, but he’s no apparachik.
Lucky for Russell that its just the lefties that attack the messenger rather than try to debate the issues (just go to Kiwiblog if you don’t believe me, they said it so it must be true).
So have any of the blog authors commented on this advert or is the EFB holding them back?
Russell Brown is a sell my soul to the highest bidder socialist coward.
I have no doubts that many bloggers on this site are well paid .
Andy Moore is a personal friend of mine and if want a fight please give me a call, as I am only too happy to accommodate any concerns or frustration’s you might have .You all know my details as my blog is often overwhelmed with your cowardly venomous bile. You jellyfish creeps should get a real job .
One last word to the pathetic disgrace to manhood Russell Brown – owner of the Paris Hilton blog theatre . Are you still sacred and frightened of me ?
Daveo,
DPF is not on the Nat payroll to blog… he’s a blogger who happens to also have a job. Much the same, I suspect, a great deal of the members of thestandard.org.
“DPF is not on the Nat payroll to blog. he’s a blogger who happens to also have a job.” A job with the National Party of New Zealand. Just thought I’d mention that bit.
D4J ,
Everyone is frightened of you and for you. You possess a hatred that seems to know no bounds. Why don’t you use your short time on this planet to help people understand you and not constantly seek to intimidate people.By the way never assume you are the only person who has heavy shit to deal with. Do what that Jesus guy suggested for once.
“he’s a blogger who happens to also have a job”.
That allows him up to 10 significant posts a day. It’s a good job for some eh.
Do what that Jesus guy suggested for once.
That made me snort with laughter, somewhat to the surprise of my workmates. 🙂
What a bummer that the Nats have come out and disowned the rabid, motley bunch of anti-EFA melcontents. That’s the smartest piece of politics from any side of the past few years.
I’d hoped that they would have been all vocal togther for once the public is made aware of the connected dots of D4J, Whale Oil, Andy Moore and the like and the nature of their vitriolic rantings it will kill any supposed groundswell of support for the right.
The public at large has no idea of how fucked up this rent a mob are. If they are considered to be the voice of the right then ta ta come election time.
No wonder National are distancing themselves for the likes of D4J and Whale Oil can only lose the election for them, not help win it. They are major liabilities despite what their egos tell them.
It will be a right laugh however, if any financial, administrative or strategic lkink is outed between National and any “third party” such as the Hortons. Having now taken the holier than thou position it will kill them once any duplicity is discovered. There is no going back – the rod for the Nat backbone of jelly has just been created.
j,
I’ve heard DPF mention that he sets up a lot of posts to time-release, so they don’t all pile on to the site at once.
Matthew,
I have a job with a government department. Therefore, anything I might choose to blog MUST be government department spin, right? err…
(Captcha; “Trotter Money”… hehehe)
Phil,
There is no hyperlink from your name to a blog, I’ll assume that you don’t have one, or that it’s not related to politics and you therefore choose to keep it seperate. So, there’s a difference between someone who chooses to comment in their idle (or not-so idle 🙂 ) time at work, and someone who is in the employ of the National party and clearly devotes a great deal of their time to writing a staunchly pro-National blog.
Your Government Department may not be aware of your blogging, do you think you can say the same for National and Kiwiblog? I think not; it’s disingenuous to suggest a parallel between your commenting, and DPF’s blogging and the commenting he does upon his blog throughout the day.
I’ll accept it was a tenuous link, but I think the point remains relevant.
Does DPF still have that market research business on the side?
Do you think his other clients know about Kiwiblog?
Do you think DPF is, therefore, writing “staunchly pro-client” blogs?
Alternatively, what of those bloggers who also work for the Greens or the Labour Party? Surely there must be a few, and are we to tarr them all with the same biased brush?
“That allows him up to 10 significant posts a day. It’s a good job for some eh.”
Well, he owns the business, he does a lot of his writing early in the morning and times it for release throughout the day. Not only that, he has been blogging for a long time, and comes from newsgroups before that. Its called experience.
“Does DPF still have that market research business on the side?
Do you think his other clients know about Kiwiblog?
Do you think DPF is, therefore, writing “staunchly pro-client” blogs? ”
Given that his blog posts aren’t necssarily related to his Curia clients, I couldn’t say. If he, for example, did volunteer work for the Red Cross I wouldn’t be trying to string a link between them, as there woundn’t be one.
I’m not saying he is a paid blogger per se, (I disagree with that comment for lack of evidence) but that there is a strong link between National party and Farrar, and the National party and the content of his blog; this much is clear.
I can’t think of any other such prolific blogger who is strongly aligned with a political party, but then I haven’t specifically gone out looking or taken an interest. If there are those out there, I would expect them to be strongly representative of the party of which they are a member – you wouldn’t write a political blog that was ideologically opposed to a party you had voluntarily joined!
Going back to your original comment – it’s up to the readers to infer (if they choose to take an interest) to what extent Farrar’s blog is aligned with the National party. I can only say it’s natural to assume there is a strong link given the content, Farrar’s background and current employment.
MP- it’s also worth noting the fact that Farrar’s spin is almost always exactly the same as the party’s. As someone who’s worked inside the party for more than a decade Farrar understands that the key in this game isn’t good analysis, it’s being able to stay on message with the party and repeat the same partisan lines relentlessly – and he does that very well. That’s why I don’t take Farrar seriously. His employment is just the kicker.
“he does a lot of his writing early in the morning and times it for release throughout the day”
wow, you seem to know a lot about it. How many DPF’S are there? I’m sure he posts and writes during the day.
Funnily enough I’m starting to think he fattens up his threads with
various versions of himself. There’s angry conservative businessman, nice “anti socialist” mum, and “i use to vote labour but not anymore” guy . DPF, what a writer.
“there is a strong link between National party and Farrar, and the National party and the content of his blog; this much is clear”
Mmmm lets see. In the past DPF has openly disagreed with National policy. Not just MP misbehaviour, not just statements in the house. POLICY.
Has The Standard?
In the past DPF has complimented the Labour party on its actions and policy.
Will The Standard ever compliment National for anything? The evidence so far doesnt seem to indicate so.
You KNOW who DPF is, you know his background. We dont know anything about the people behind The Standard. And a declaration of independence from someone that remains anonymous doesnt mean too much.
Daveo – I know what you mean but here everything gets taken very literally so I meant that as it’s not his specific contracted job to write kiwiblog, as far as I understand it. Although in truth I don’t know what he does for the Party over and above what is mentioned on his blog. I don’t need to 🙂
I agree with your latest though, that’s what I meant by ‘there is a strong link between … the National party and the content of his blog‘.
“Mmmm lets see. In the past DPF has openly disagreed with National policy. Not just MP misbehaviour, not just statements in the house. POLICY.”
This I gotta see! Got a link?
yeh, Kimble , DPF occasionally has a go when National isn’t as right wing as he’d like. It’s hardly the spotlight he torches Labour with.
and obviously Kimble you write to the herald complaining about their anonymous editorials.
Most right wing commentators openly use their ‘freemarket” beliefblogs in coordination with their commerce so using their name actually is of benefit to them. It is difficult to question business practise in this blog country without being presented as a anti-capitalist socialist/communist/ fascist. It’s intimidating and detracts from the message. The abuse is too much. Many of us have very important ties to the infrastructure of business and are very strategic with them.
This channel doesn’t actually require names, it requires rational progresive ideas and debate. That’s why it’s revolutionary.
“Will The Standard ever compliment National for anything? The evidence so far doesnt seem to indicate so.”
Well, if the National Party actually ever does anything commendable I’ll certainly commend them for it. I’m not going to hold my breath waiting for them to do so though.
“We dont know anything about the people behind The Standard.”
Come up valiant and corageous people from the left. Print your names and addresses ala DPF before you continue berating himm.
At least, he has the balls to do it. Will you?
Come up valiant and corageous santi. Print your name and address ala DPF before you continue berating himm.
santi, DPF may very well be using anonymous posts????
“At least, he has the balls to do it. Will you?”
Pretty much says it all. Santi, it’s not some juvenile pissing-contest.
I’m using my name, you’re not.
By your logic, you have no balls.
Care to take a mature position in this discussion?
I’m just pleased National has distanced itself from these mouth-foamers. Really they are the party’s achilles heel. I hate to think what embarrassing thing these people are going to do next.
Probably most here hope they will continue in the same vein 😉
Ruth
Loved your barbecue story. It made me laugh.
It’s a shame you’re National but heh, you can’t be perfect.
Snelly
The ‘public at large’ is listening right now and will be happy to circulate any new information about D4J, Whaleoil and the like.
Matthew Pilott
From some of the users’ abusive attitudes and given that some of them are in a position to influence any one of our lives I would strongly dissuade anyone from giving their full name.
But what really amazes me is that these are the very people who are screaming out that free speech will disappear and yet they’re trying to take away mine and anyone else’s voice that disagrees with them.
WHAT HYPOCRITES
“.. yet they’re trying to take away mine and anyone else’s voice that disagrees with them.”
Don’t play victim and make false statements, Jum. Nobody is curtailing your freedom of speech. Quite the contrary.
Thx Jum!
Really it doesn’t make much difference to me who wins this year. Politics doesn’t affect my everyday life, but I enjoy being involved in it – you meet interesting people :-).
Nothing much is going to change if the Nats win – I just think it’s time for someone else to buy the beer – same in the US.
Santi
So why have the anonymous bloggers of the standard stopped blogging about NZ politics, surely not because they would need to provide their full names and residential addresses if they want to express their political opinions…. must be some other reason… either that or the rancid EFB has completely shut them down.
I guess we will know once they resume their anti John Key and anti National party banter. I’m waiting….
—————————————————————–
Hey standard anon blog authors – Don’t vote Labour… what have you got to say about that?
From some of the users’ abusive attitudes and given that some of them are in a position to influence any one of our lives I would strongly dissuade anyone from giving their full name.
Precisely. Apart from the obvious fact that people might have very valid reasons why they feel freer to comment if they don’t have to use their real name, there are people on the right who are so damn creepy and abusive you’d have to fear for your safety if they had your full name and address.
So why have the anonymous bloggers of the standard stopped blogging about NZ politics
Possibly because most of then are still on holiday? Just a hunch…
Burt you drunken old prick. I see you’re still not taking your ritalin and you’re still obsessed with bolding random statements. Now, while you’re mouthing Farrar’s lamentably ignorant dog-whistle talking points about anonymity you may wish to consider this: you post anonymously. If you want to bitch and whine about others failing to use their real names then you might want to lead by example. Or alternatively I could find out who you are (I’m getting pretty good at this) and let folk know. Whaddya say Burt? I was hoping you’d’ve asked santa for a bit of self-reflexivity this xmas but it seem we’re gonna have to face another year of your yapping.
I’ve heard DPF mention that he sets up a lot of posts to time-release, so they don’t all pile on to the site at once.
Yeah I saw DPF claiming that as well so I had a look and as far as I can tell there is no facility in wordpress (or plug-in for it) that allows this to be done. I personally doubt that the Nats would use Farrar for polling because he’s simply too stupid to do it properly. There is no way any major party would entrust the gathering of its raw data to him. In my honest opinion he is getting paid to blog via his “Curia contract”. I mean have you seen the curia website? It’s barely a place holder and I’ve not seen him advertise anywhere – that’s because he doesn’t need to. It’s also why he’s responded so badly to the standard and blogblog – his blogging is his bread and butter, it pays his mortgage. The more he’s shown up the more likely the party is to drop him. Here’s to a bloody and vicious 2008…
“Or I could find out who you are (I’m getting pretty good at this)..”
Really Robinson? I didn’t know that to your eloquence and fine writing abilities, you also add the hound-dog touch.
You’d have done well in Germany of the 30’s.
Ah, another talented left-winger and socialist!
Hey robinsod – you are a abusive wee #### aren’t you . Wonder if your so lippy man to man ? I would love to find out one day ,and j you are that pathetic I know why I call this site the sub standard sewer .
Hey robinsod and you twisted lefty nutbars – Go #### yourselves – you scum of the earth . Russell Brown like you foaming dogs are pure communist filth . You’re selfish gravy train of government funds makes you deluded righteous creeps and in reality you are just up yourself pricks who are going down this time .
Ah, another talented left-winger and socialist!
Yep.
Robinsod
Yes I post anonymously and I post about political issues. It was legal last year – is it legal this year ? What changed Robinsod? Oh that’s right some self serving pricks passed some laws that shut down free speech…..
Waaaa hooo – an anonymous blogger threatening to out another anonymous blogger… Such is life under the EFB I guess, unable to debate the issues the highly pissed off anonymous bloggers start to turn on each other and shooting the messenger is all that remains when the message is off limits….
How about we meet for a beer one night and lets see if you still have the balls to call me a drunken old prick ?
Are you threatening me Burt? I mean, I don’t mind if you are but at least have the guts to say it outright rather than hiding behind the old “meet for a beer” line you coward.
Oh and Burt? Of course it’s legal to write about politics on a blog. Only a fool would think otherwise…
I’m not threatening you at all Robinsod – are you paranoid? It’s simple – if you are obsessing about who I really are then it would be much easier if we meet face to face. If you out me it only proves that what you think is OK for you is not OK for me – which is to be expected from a do as I say not as I do Labour supporter.
If it’s legal to write about politics on a multiple anonymous author blog then why have the authors here at the standard stopped doing it since the EFB passed.
Whaleoil (I know you don’t take anything he says seriously – but he can’t be wrong 100% of the time) seems to think that multiple anonymous author blogs are captured by the EFB – If he correct then this certainly explains why the standard have suddenly stopped posting about NZ political issues.
“Only a fool would think otherwise.” – Time will tell Robinsod – if the authors here at the standard get back to their previous form somebody might just want to take it as a test case. Very embarrassing for the standard having defended the EFB if it’s shut them down.
OK Burt – use the old trick of making a veiled threat and then backing out of it if you want but that just shows everyone here what a total coward you are. I’m sure the standard would welcome a test case but let’s face it anything that retarded chimp Whale comes out with is 99% likely to be wrong so I can’t see it happening in the near future.
As far as outing you goes Burt – I have no intention of doing so (though I’ve been doing ok since I was outed by the aforementioned chimp). Oh and Burt? There’s no way you could do as I do – you lack the basic intelligence to even approach what I do.
Robinsod
You are priceless.
That after: “Or alternatively I could find out who you are (I’m getting pretty good at this) and let folk know..” followed by “As far as outing you goes Burt – I have no intention of doing so”.
Pots and kettles…. Guess you realised what a hypocrite you were posing anonymously threatening to out other anonymous posters.
Robinsod
I do agree I’d need to work pretty hard to make as much of a fool of myself as you just did – but I think it was a lack of intelligence that you didn’t notice you were doing exactly what you were incorrectly denigrating me for doing.
Keep it Robinsod, the short bus will be along shortly to take you to remedial reasoning classes.
You are priceless.
Why thank you Burt – I had thought yoy were completely obtuse but it seems you have some sense after all.
Chicken, chicken, cluck, cluck.
Congratulations burt for unmasking the feeble robinson.
Hey santi and/or Burt – email me at mickyporton[at]hotmail.com we’ll go on a date.
Romance – ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
Sorry Michael Porton but I don’t do pinko-socialists.
Oh no – you’re breakin my heart wee man.
Robinsod
So what do you do Robinsod?
I’m a practicing psychiatrist Burt, and Doctor Robinsod says “Burt! Quick! Take your Ritilin!”
I always thought the sub standard ward must have a resident psychiatrist .It is very useful to have a Sigmund loop doctor close by . I’ve got one and she is called my shadow . Cool I can handle that and I hope you don’t stock no hinamanu psychotic wind up drugs in this unit over here? Because I just got a month sin bin over at kiwiblog for threating to punch the ####’# lights out .
Sod that wasn’t bad wit and satire and it is great to see you and burt going for it hammering and tongs . Must go pills to take, another zombie day in Helengrad . Cheers big ears .
Burt said:
Burt you don’t understand the EFB, and nor does Whale. Blogs are exempt, in fact specifically so.
And the reason we weren’t posting was because we were on holiday. Some of us still are. Hmmm, when you look back that’s kind of an embarrassing diatribe you’ve got there, eh?
Ummm, did anyone bother to check on who Carl Pascoe is? A member of the Chch Polytech Council, amongst other things…conflict of interest anyone?
Or does that only apply to anti-EFA supporters?