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 New Zealand coalition government, a Frankenstein’s monster of National, ACT, and NZ First, has once again shown its utter contempt for our democracy. This time it's the Ministry for Regulation, who didn’t even bother to read thousands of submissions on the Regulatory Standards Bill, a piece of legislation so ...
Right-wing blogger David Farrar, the National Party’s go to spin merchant, has been at it again with another smear job, this time targeting New Zealand’s senior doctors. His latest hit piece, as dissected by Ian Powell on Scoop, is a textbook example of how to prop up a failing government’s ...
When National came to power in 2023, one of its first acts was to repeal all useful climate change policy. When they finally released their amended emissions reduction plan, it relied on a single project using a fantasy technology for the bulk of its reductions. And now, that project has ...
Not that long ago, New Zealand’s fiscal balances looked pretty good by advanced country standards. Sure, the fiscal pressures from longer life expectancies were beginning to build – as they were in most of the advanced world – but in absolute and relative terms New Zealand still looked in pretty ...
Jack Tame’s Q+A interviews are often a litmus test for political discourse in Aotearoa, but his recent frost-fest with Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick exposed a troubling bias that contrasts sharply with his kid-gloves treatment of other politicians, such as ACT’s Brooke van Velden in prior appearances. The disparity in ...
Australia’s defence thinking is based on outdated grand strategies. Adopting a complex interdependence grand strategy could create robust connections with many countries, enhancing national resilience to strategic, economic, technological and societal shocks. Specifically, Defence would ...
..Yesterday (18 May), Ministers Simeon Brown and Matt Doocey released statements announcing $164 million over four years to “expand” urgent and after-hours healthcare services throughout Aotearoa New Zealand.Minister Brown said:“This means 98 per cent of New Zealanders will be able to receive in-person urgent care within one hour’s drive of ...
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto’s South China Sea policy has many contradictions and inconsistencies, particularly regarding China’s nine-dash line. In separate joint statements Indonesia has shown an inconsistent stance on China’s maritime claims. Indonesia’s parliament is ...
Your love is my turning pageWhere only the sweetest words remainEvery kiss is a cursive lineEvery touch is a redefining phraseSongwriter: Ryan O'NealMorena folks, today I’d like to share a little about the Writers Festival we’ve just had in Tamaki Makaurau and where my mind went as I listened to ...
The six key news items from Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Monday, May 19 are: The lobby group for the big electricity gentailers has warned the Electricity Authority that consumer power prices could rise 25% if the market is reformed to force Meridian, Contact, Genesis & ...
An article in The Conversation this week, titled “A ‘Trump slump’ has lifted the left in Canada and now Australia – what are the lessons for NZ?“ poses some interesting challenges for our Left as a whole right now, and it’s worth considering at least some of the questions it raises ...
A listing of 29 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, May 11, 2025 thru Sat, May 17, 2025. Plugging the Weather & Climate Livestream planned to start on May 28 During the past week and thanks to Andrew Dessler's ClimateBrink ...
..As most of the mainstream media was meeting behind school sheds, sniggering as Act Minister Brooke Van Velden uttered the word ‘cunt’ in Parliament, adults around the country were continuing the struggle for pay equity in industries that have been traditionally under-valued, under-paid, and undertaken by women.For many families, this ...
Many MPs stand and support the hakaThere is no other credible interpretation of what has influenced the Privileges Committee decision regarding the penalties for performing a haka in the house other than pure racism. The broader context for this cannot be ignored and supports a view that Te Pāti Māori have ...
In a move that reeks of authoritarianism, Judith Collins, as chair of Parliament’s Privileges Committee, has overseen the unprecedented suspension of three Te Pāti Māori MPs...Rawiri Waititi, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, and Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke...for performing a haka in protest against the divisive Treaty Principles Bill. This 21-day suspension for the co-leaders and ...
Climate Change Minister Simon WattsYou may have noticed that climate change has largely dropped off the radar, even though many people are still dealing with the long laborious task of recovering after unprecedented storms decimated many parts of New Zealand. So what is the National-led government doing about this existential ...
Big wheels roll through fieldsWhere sunlight streamsOh meet me in a land of hope and dreamsMeet me in a land of hope and dreamsSong: Bruce Springsteen. Read more ...
Let me be blunt, says Nicola Willis to a room of people in suits, it's not the easiest time to be putting together a Budget.Let me be blunt: that's the only line in the speech with even the hint of a pulse.The rest is utterly bland and predictable. It's the ...
..To re-cap:Tuesday 6 May - Workplace Minister, and member of the Act Party which won only 8.64% of the vote, Brooke van Velden, announced that she had unilaterally scrapped thirty-three equal pay agreements.Minister Van Velden explained:"Claims have been able to progress without strong evidence of undervaluation and there have been ...
Skeptical Science is partnering with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Did Viking settlers enjoy a warm beach climate in Greenland? While Greenland’s southern coast supported some vegetation in the Medieval warm period (950-1250 ...
Thomas Hobbes wrote his seminal work Leviathan in 1651. In it he describes the world system as it was then as being in “a state of nature,” something that some have interpreted as anarchy. However, anarchy has order and purpose. It is not chaos. In fact, if we think of ...
Labour’s Finance Spokesperson Barbara Edmonds (left) committed to the same Government net debt cap of 50% of GDP and the same aspiration of returning the budget to surplus by 2028/29 as National, which would severe limit the ability of any future Labour-led government to fix the unmeasured infrastructure, housing, health, ...
The latest UNICEF Innocenti Report Card 19, Fragile Gains - Child Wellbeing at Risk in an Unpredictable World, should be a wake up call for the New Zealand government. Ranking us 32nd out of 36 OECD and EU countries for child wellbeing, it lays bare a shameful truth: our kids ...
Few issues are as urgent and as poorly understood as Australia’s energy policy. While we build up renewable energy to replace an ageing and increasingly uneconomic coal fleet, we are more dependent on gas to ...
While many of the world’s Christian religions seem preoccupied with personal issues that Jesus, their founder, barely touched upon, they must engage with economic issues too. Robert Prevost, chose the name Leo on becoming the 267th Bishop of Rome – the Pope – in homage to Leo XIII (in office ...
Skeptical Science is partnering with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending harmfully misleading claims, produced primarily for use by thinly-resourced newswrooms but also directly available to the general public. We announced this (renewed) collaboration in April 2024 in a blog post and have published more than 30 ...
To convince the public of AUKUS’s value, government and industry messaging should focus on how the program can provide benefits in the near term—not in 20 years. AUKUS is a megaproject that will define the ...
The Council of Trade Unions met with Brooke van Velden and demanded that she reversed the recent pay equity changes. Remaining staff members at polytech UCOL may be expected to pick up some of the work of colleagues made redundant if a proposed restructure goes ahead. Health NZ on Thursday ...
IMPORTANT: Even if next week’s debate lessens the severe penalty onTe Pāti Māori, the punishment has been timed to ice their leaders out of Budget 2025, and the introduction of the anti Treaty of Waitangi Regulatory Standards Bill.When Te Pāti Māori stood up to perform a historic haka in the ...
There’s a way for Australia to strengthen its case for the US presidential certification it will need for acquiring Virginia-class submarines. It should do so by accelerating construction of a planned shipyard in Western Australia ...
In a stunning display of hypocrisy, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee, who also oversees firearms policy, has admitted she hasn’t registered her own firearms on New Zealand’s Firearms Registry, despite the legal requirement for all licensed firearms owners to do so.This isn’t just a minor oversight; it’s a slap in ...
The Government is taking the Digital Services Tax off their books, effectively handing a $479 million tax break to global tech giants, like Facebook and Google. ...
The Government is quietly cutting more services for women, this time it’s ACC support for survivors of sexual abuse and pausing the expansion of a major sexual violence prevention programme. ...
A new report from Aotearoa Educators’ Collective, released today, has confirmed what teachers, students, and whanau have been calling out for years–our learning support system is overstretched, underfunded, and simply not working. ...
The Green Party is urging the Prime Minister to get rid of the Regulatory Standards Bill after the Waitangi Tribunal found that the Bill breaches the Crown’s Tiriti o Waitangi obligations. ...
The Government is unlikely to fund pay equity for hospice and Plunket nurses, care and support workers and other workforces made up of mostly women. ...
Prices for essentials, like milk, butter and electricity continue to get more expensive under National, at the same time as the Government takes money from women’s pockets to save their budget. ...
Te Pāti Māori is gravely concerned by the Government’s approval of the Trans-Tasman Resources (Taranaki VTM) seabed mining project under its fast-track regime. This marks the first time a commercial shallow seabed mining operation has been approved anywhere in the world- pushed through with no transparency, no public input, and ...
Today’s report into last year’s Oranga Tamariki contract procurement process confirms the Government’s brutal cuts were rushed, poorly managed, and made with no concern for the impact on tamariki. ...
Today the Privileges Committee handed down a severe punishment. Te Pāti Māori Co-leaders Rawiri Waititi and Debbie Ngarewa-Packer have been suspended for 21 days, and MP for Hauraki-Waikato Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke has been suspended for 7 days. ...
Nearly a quarter of the money spent on the Government’s flagship FamilyBoost policy has gone to administration, not to families to help with childcare. ...
Rehashing old laws around boy racers is not going to make our communities safer, or distract New Zealanders from the appalling decision to cut women’s pay. ...
Te Pāti Māori MP for Te Tai Tokerau calls out the government’s decision to keep funding state abuse, turning their backs on justice and real change for abuse in care survivors. “The government has committed to throwing $744 million down the drain, reinforcing a violent regime of disrespect against the ...
Te Pāti Māori is absolutely disgusted by the Government’s announcement to review the Waitangi Tribunal- a deliberate and dangerous escalation in its ongoing campaign to undermine Te Tiriti o Waitangi and silence tangata whenua. “The Government’s onslaught against Te Tiriti continues with this latest move to review the Treaty of ...
Labour is asking the Government why it is silent on Israel’s deliberate use of starvation as a weapon of war in Gaza, saying New Zealand should be speaking out. ...
The Labour Party backs volunteer firefighters who are currently not covered by ACC for workplace disease and mental injury and is drafting policy to put this right when the party wins the election in 2026. ...
The Green Party is appalled by the Government’s use of urgency to rewrite the Wildlife Act–without consultation, without an impact statement, and in direct response to a court ruling in favour of protecting wildlife. ...
Te Pāti Māori stands in staunch and emotional opposition to the Government’s so-called Equal Pay Amendment Bill, calling it a calculated attack on working women and a cruel betrayal of the generations who have fought for pay equity in Aotearoa. “This bill doesn’t just undermine equal pay — it completely ...
Good evening. Thank you to the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs for organising this event, and for your efforts to foster New Zealand’s understanding of international affairs. I am grateful for the opportunity to speak here today. As keen observers and practitioners of international relations, you will all ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced Pati Gagau as New Zealand’s next High Commissioner to Kiribati. “Our diplomats play a critical role in advancing New Zealand’s interests overseas,” Mr Peters says. “Nowhere is this truer than in the Pacific, where we strive to work with our Pacific partners to forge a more ...
The Government is amending the Equal Pay Act [the Act] to make the process of raising and resolving pay equity claims more robust, workable and sustainable, Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden announced today. Pay equity is achieved when women and men are paid the same for work ...
Toitū te taiao – Our environment endures The Government is consulting on proposals to better protect our precious biodiversity and its economic benefits for future generations, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says. “Today, the Department of Conservation – Te Papa Atawhai is releasing two discussion documents for public consultation, and I ...
Following significant engagement over the last month, the first in-person round of negotiations towards a comprehensive India New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) will take place in India this week. This follows the highly successful visit to India last year by Deputy Prime Minister, Winston Peters and the formal launch ...
The early entry into force of the New Zealand–European Union Trade Agreement (FTA) is paying off, with Kiwi goods exports to the EU surging by 28 per cent during the first year. “In the last 12 months our goods exports to the EU surged from $3.8 billion to over $4.8 ...
Now is the time for Kiwis to give New Zealand Sign Language a go as we take a week to celebrate the language, Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston says. This week is New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) week. The theme is that “anyone can sign anywhere”. “NZSL is an official ...
New investment in advanced technology research will boost high-tech exports, strengthen connections between research and industry and generate high value jobs, Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Dr Shane Reti announced today. “Advanced technology research leads to life-changing innovation,” says Dr Reti. “The breakthroughs that can be achieved through areas like ...
POST-CABINET PRESS CONFERENCE: Monday, 5 May 2025 EPIQ TRANSCRIPT PM: Well, look, good afternoon, everyone. It’s great to be joined this afternoon by our awesome Trade Minister, Todd McClay, who’s doing some incredible work. As you know, it’s a big sitting block with the Budget at the end of ...
Every parent wants to see their child thrive at school — to feel confident, supported, and capable. Today, the Government is taking a major step toward making that aspiration a reality with the launch of a new Parent Portal: an online resource designed to enable families to play their part ...
The Defence Force’s ageing maritime helicopters will be replaced to increase the defensive and offensive capability and surveillance range of New Zealand’s frigates, Defence Minister Judith Collins announced today. “The replacement of the Seasprite helicopters will also extend the Navy’s ability to support non-combat tasks such as humanitarian assistance and ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has congratulated Anthony Albanese on winning the Australian Federal Election, and Lawrence Wong on winning the Singaporean election. “I have been in touch with both Mr Albanese and Mr Wong to offer my congratulations on retaining office,” Mr Luxon says. “When we spoke, Mr Albanese and ...
Hunting and Fishing Minister James Meager has joined the thousands of New Zealanders taking part in the annual game bird hunting season opening. He spent the morning at Te Nohoaka o Tukiauau / Sinclair Wetlands, a 315-hectare portion of the Lakes Waihola-Waipori wetland south of Dunedin, hosted by Fish & ...
Associate Education Minister David Seymour says that new up-to-date attendance data is helping provide fresh insights into student attendance. For example, data for the first week of term 2 shows the effect of wild weather and which regions were standouts. The average attendance across week 1 is 87.1 per cent. ...
A new air ambulance helicopter commissioned today will significantly enhance emergency medical response capabilities across Auckland and Northland, Associate Health Minister Hon Casey Costello and ACC Minister Scott Simpson announced today. “This state-of-the-art helicopter represents a major advancement in aeromedical service delivery, and we are pleased to see it become ...
Public reporting on key performance indicators for Oranga Tamariki show the Ministry is making strong progress on its most important goals. In its second public reporting on key performance indicators, Oranga Tamariki has made progress across all four key priority areas emphasised by Minister for Children, Karen Chhour. “In 2024, ...
Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka today confirmed the appointment of Gerrard Albert of Whanganui, Ngā Paerangi, to the Waitangi Tribunal for a three-year term to fill a vacancy. Mr. Albert is the former Chair of Ngā Tāngata Tiaki o Whanganui, the post-settlement governance body for Te Awa Tupua. He has ...
The Government is continuing to raise achievement and close the equity gap in schools across the country, so all Kiwi kids have the knowledge, skills and competencies they need to reach their full potential, Education Minister Erica Stanford says. The Governments’ ambitious changes reflect the responsibility we have to these ...
The Government is taking action to better support unpaid and informal carers, Associate Minister for Social Development and Employment Penny Simmonds says. Every morning across New Zealand, unpaid carers are helping loved ones get ready for the day — preparing meals, arranging medication, assisting with transport, and offering vital support, ...
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters has concluded a constructive and positive visit to New Caledonia - New Zealand’s closest geographical neighbour. Mr Peters met the French Minister for Overseas Territories, Manuel Valls, and the President of the Government of New Caledonia, Alcide Ponga. “We came to listen and ...
Endoscopy services at Hawke’s Bay Fallen Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital are set to expand, with the addition of a third procedure room, Health Minister Simeon Brown announced today. “Improving New Zealand’s health infrastructure is a top priority for the Government, to ensure all Kiwis can access timely, high-quality healthcare,” Mr Brown says. ...
Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay has confirmed that restrictions on full farm-to-forest conversions on LUC 1-6 farmland will be in place this year, and reaffirmed that they will take effect from 4 December 2024 - the date of the original announcement. Enabling legislation will be introduced to Parliament during ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The Victorian and NSW Nationals senators due to face the voters at the 2028 election will struggle to hold their seats if the former partners do not re-form the Coalition before then. Under usual ...
Analysis - The government has proclaimed 2025 the year of growth, but can it deliver when all the indications are that it is close to running on empty? ...
By Patrick Decloitre, RNZ Pacific correspondent French Pacific desk New Caledonia and French Polynesia have sent strong delegations this week to the United Nations Pacific regional seminar on the implementation of the Fourth International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism in Timor-Leste. The seminar opened in Dili today and ends ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrew King, Associate Professor in Climate Science, ARC Centre of Excellence for 21st Century Weather, The University of Melbourne Emergency crews were scrambling to rescue residents trapped by floodwaters on Wednesday as heavy rain pummelled the Mid North Coast of New South ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne Counting in several extremely close seats continues, but some results have become clearer. In Liberal-held Bradfield, Teal candidate Nicolette Boele has taken ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Catherine Houlihan, Senior Lecturer in Clinical Psychology, University of the Sunshine Coast Dima Berlin/Shutterstock Can you only start a boring admin task once your house is clean? Do you leave the trickiest emails to the end of the day? Delaying a ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Robert Clarke, Senior Lecturer in English, University of Tasmania Mirrorscape (detail), 2025, Théo Mercier.Photo credit: Mona/Jesse Hunniford. Image courtesy of the artist and the Museum of Old and New Art, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. The first impulse is to kick it. ...
"This is another shameful day for the Government which promised no cuts to frontline services - this is a lie which is being exposed every day across the public sector," said Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary for the Public Service Association for ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rob Cover, Professor of Digital Communication and Director of the RMIT Digital Ethnography Research Centre, RMIT University In its most recent battle with authorities in Australia, X (formerly Twitter) has launched legal action in the Federal Court, seeking an exemption from a ...
Money charged by Auckland Council to develop the city centre will be diverted and the mayoral office budget tapped to keep events in the city going this year.Public gatherings in a council list of being at risk of no funding include the ASB Classic tennis, Auckland Marathon, Sail GP and ...
Editor’s Note: I’m pleased to say my old friend Martyn ‘Bomber’ Bradbury has launched his new programme and podcast titled The Bradbury Group. Martyn needs no introduction to New Zealanders. Under his handle ‘Bomber’ he’s been at the forefront of political debate, especially from a left perspective, for ...
RNZ News New Zealand has joined 23 other countries calling out Israel and demanding a full supply of foreign aid be allowed into the territory. Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters told RNZ Morning Report today it was “intolerable” that Israel had blocked any aid reaching residents for many weeks. The ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Katherine Raw, Lecturer, Sport Management, Swinburne University of Technology Bratislav Kostic/Shutterstock Australia’s underwhelming performance at the 2024 Paris Paralympics has raised serious questions about how well our adaptive sport system is working. The Paris games returned our lowest medal tally since ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Margaret Murray, Senior Lecturer, Nutrition, Swinburne University of Technology bodnar.photo/Shutterstock If you’re browsing the supermarket fridge for reduced-fat milk, it’s easy to be confused by the many different types. You canfind options labelled skim, skimmed, skinny, no fat, extra light, ...
Alex Casey talks to Dr Maysoon Salama, author of The Heavenly Papa Giraffe. There’s a page in The Heavenly Papa Giraffe where a peaceful and closeknit family of giraffes are confronted with a snarling hyena on their walk across the savannah. “I hate giraffes, I hate giraffes,” he shouts as ...
Reflections on haka-triggered bans and column-propelled C-bombs, and a couple of thoughts about the budget. A last-minute adjournment has kicked the debate around the punishments imposed upon Te Pāti Māori MPs down the road and past the budget, avoiding a possible burst of filibuster activity. All of that follows ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kathryn Locke, Associate Researcher in Digital Disability, Centre for Culture and Technology, Curtin University Chansom Pantip/Shutterstock Since the recent explosion of widely available generative artificial intelligence (AI), it now seems that a new AI tool emerges every week. With varying success, ...
The real target of these far-right denunciations is not the Greens, but the working class and young people, who are moving to the left in response to soaring social inequality, and the threat of fascism and world war, and are increasingly attracted ...
Te Pāti Māori rises from the ashes of the government’s pride to get its say in the budget debates – before having to go back to the dog box.Echo Chamber is The Spinoff’s dispatch from the press gallery, recapping sessions in the House. Columns are written by politics reporter ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nicola Gaston, Director of the MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau Shutterstock/Olivier Le Queinec A lack of strategy and research funding – by both the current and previous governments – has been well documented, ...
Underinvesting in early parenthood isn’t saving money, it’s just shifting the burden to justice, health and education systems down the line, writes E Tipu e Rea CEO Zoe Aroha Witika-Hawke. As Budget 2025 is unveiled this week, we expect fiscal responsibility and tightening public spending to dominate headlines. But for ...
Anna Rawhiti-Connell recalls a ‘very short, late-bloomers OE’. In August and September of 2016, I went to Europe to see and travel with my brother. By the time the trip came around, me and Troy, the man I ended up marrying, had been seeing each other for a few months. ...
SPECIAL REPORT:By Jeremy Rose Reading an NBC News report a couple of days ago about a Trump administration plan to relocate 1 million Gazans to Libya reminded me of a conversation between the legendary Warsaw Ghetto leader Marek Edelman and fellow fighter and survivor Simcha Rotem that took place ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Hawkins, Senior Lecturer, Canberra School of Politics, Economics and Society, University of Canberra Spotify was started, according to its official claims, because its founders “love music and piracy was killing it”. In Mood Machine, music journalist Liz Pelly argues this is ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dan Baumgardt, Senior Lecturer, School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol He’s leapt from cliffs, clung to planes mid-takeoff and held his breath underwater for as long as professional freedivers. Now, at 62, Tom Cruise returns as Ethan Hunt for ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stefan Wolff, Professor of International Security, University of Birmingham After a two-hour phone call with Russian leader Vladimir Putin on May 19, US president Donald Trump took to social media to declare that Russia and Ukraine will “immediately start negotiations” towards a ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Leonora Risse, Associate Professor in Economics, University of Canberra NDAB Creativity/Shutterstock After two years of publishing the gender pay gaps of Australia’s private-sector companies, the Workplace Gender Equality Agency has released public-sector employer data for the first time. The report shows ...
The prime minister insists his government is clamping down on the spread of Māori language and culture in the public sector. But beneath the tough talk, what’s really changing – and who is he trying to win over?Our government is halting the Māorification of Aotearoa. This isn’t an opinion, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Barbara Catinella, Professor and Senior Principal Research Fellow, International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR), The University of Western Australia One of the galaxies mapped by WALLABY: the red shade shows the atomic hydrogen gas content of the galaxy, overlaid on an ...
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)
admin_contact_phone: 64 21 1140751
admin_contact_email: *****@gmail.com
%
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?