Open mike 02/08/2022

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, August 2nd, 2022 - 99 comments
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Open mike is your post.

For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose.

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Step up to the mike …

99 comments on “Open mike 02/08/2022 ”

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  1. Blazer 1
    2 August 2022 at 11:05 am

    An interesting critique of the Zelensky narrative (by of all media-a Sky Au journo) that raises some pertinent questions.

    https://youtu.be/KEPWgMXut_8

    • joe90 1.1
      2 August 2022 at 12:03 pm

      Bernardi isn't a fucking journalist. Bernadi's a RWNJ.

      • tc 1.1.1
        2 August 2022 at 2:41 pm

        Cory Bernadi is scomo without the rat cunning as scomo knew where his bread was buttered….Cory shat in that bed so murdochville is his new home.

      • Populuxe1 1.1.2
        2 August 2022 at 3:10 pm

        Sky Australia is the perfect place for him. It's a Murdoch outlet after all.

        • mikesh 1.1.2.1
          2 August 2022 at 3:32 pm

          Whether he is a RWNJ, or scomo without scomo's rat cunning, is beside the point. As always it's the message that matters, not the messenger.

    • Jenny how to get there 1.2
      3 August 2022 at 3:08 am

      Antifa in Ukraine

      Ilya is a Russian anti-fascist anarchist. She fled to Ukraine after a crackdown by the Putin regime on Russian civil society, and has joined the fight against Putin's bloody invasion. Ilya has been joined up with

      ….Putin's invasion is not a war between two states. It’s a war between Putin’s regime and Ukrainian society. In my opinion, the Ukrainian state is corrupt, oligarchic, and neoliberal. I’m not too fond of it. However, Ukrainian society has a lot more freedom and pluralism than its Russian and Belarusian counterparts – than almost all of its neighbors. Turkey is no better than Putin’s Russia, while Poland and Hungary have swayed considerably towards conservatism lately. The Ukrainian state exerts considerably less control over its citizens’ private lives. Since Russia decided to export its authoritarian Mordor-style regime, Ukrainian society needs protection."

      Ilya

      https://theins.ru/en/politics/251492?

  2. logie97 2
    2 August 2022 at 12:12 pm

    A lot is being made of the Cost of Living Payment going to an unknown number of NZers overseas. Perhaps they should see it as the government just giving them back some of the tax they reckon they deserve to receive. After all, they'll get sod all of any tax cuts Luxon is promising.

  3. Visubversa 3
    2 August 2022 at 12:40 pm

    The BNZ seems to be doing a big panic over tax residency status as a result of all this. I have never had a tax residency in other than New Zealand since I opened my account in 1973, but I got a "please update" email yesterday.

    • Graeme 3.1
      2 August 2022 at 12:52 pm

      BNZ has been having kittens about tax residency and anti money laundering for about 6 months. It's taken a couple of days out of our lives filling in inane forms and proving our identities, all for it to not be loaded correctly by staff who haven't a clue what it's about and then having to be done again.

      AML (anti money laundering) has been a thing for 10 years or so but gather this round has been brought on by Ukraine war and ensuing sanctions

    • Matiri 3.2
      2 August 2022 at 1:13 pm

      Rabo has been doing the same thing over the past few months.

    • Puckish Rogue 4.1
      2 August 2022 at 1:08 pm

      Unfortunately management and head office are s**t scared of bad publicity…well when that publicity is right out in the open

      You'd think they best way to deal with something like this is to spray the prisoners with water and then let the cold weather take its course

      The problem is whenever this is suggested the reply is always something along the lines of H&S, its too dangerous because they may slip off the roof etc etc

      So instead 'negotiation' is used to bring the prisoners down, never mind how many tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of damages has been done

      Good times

      • Jimmy 4.1.1
        2 August 2022 at 2:18 pm

        Mind you Trevor Mallard tried the sprinkler approach and that didn't work out too well! Best to just leave them up there, they will come down when they get hungry.

        I always have a bit of a giggle about these prisoners that go on hunger strike……it's only ever going to end one of two ways, either they quit and decide to eat again (which means they are not that dedicated to whatever cause they were striking for), or guards carry out their lifeless bodies once they have passed away.

        • Mac1 4.1.1.1
          2 August 2022 at 2:34 pm

          They're all down now. The reasons why they did the overnight on the roof are not yet public.

          • Puckish Rogue 4.1.1.1.1
            2 August 2022 at 4:38 pm

            Probably a number of factors including, but not limited to:

            boredom, being manipulated, genuine issues that aren't being addressed, imagined issues that aren't being addressed, just being dick heads, wanting to be transferred, not wanting to be transferred, over inflated sense of importance, diagnosed mental health issues, undiagnosed mental health issues, making a name for themselves, not getting enough visits, not getting skype calling etc etc

            Or something else entirely

            • Mac1 4.1.1.1.1.1
              2 August 2022 at 6:19 pm

              I think you may have just covered it, apart from the guys who just went along with the others for the ride……

          • Foreign Waka 4.1.1.1.2
            2 August 2022 at 6:49 pm

            The did not get access to the sports facility by what the news explained at 6pm. Yep, that's right they are in prison for a crime not on recreational grounds. Also in the news a soft knew reaction regarding the ramrads. Something got to give, it is just a matter of time.

            • Puckish Rogue 4.1.1.1.2.1
              2 August 2022 at 7:55 pm

              'The did not get access to the sports facility by what the news explained at 6pm.'

              I don't know with 100% certainty (being that I'm not in the Hawkes Bay) but if its like anywhere else the reason the crims didn't get to go out to the sports field is most likely due to short staffing

              The staffing levels in NZ prisons are dangerously low everywhere, emails have again been put out for anyone wanting to go onto secondments to other prisons

              There are always call backs available in Canterbury and its even worse in the North Island, as an idea check out the the job listings:

              https://mahi.corrections.govt.nz/jobtools/jncustomsearch.searchResults?in_organid=19420&in_jobDate=All

              About the only prison that doesn't have a listing is Invercargill, although strangely none in Canterbury are listed either

              Because we're running short we simply don't have the officers to run things over and above minimum entitlements

        • Drowsy M. Kram 4.1.1.2
          2 August 2022 at 2:48 pm

          I always have a bit of a giggle about these prisoners that go on hunger strike……
          or guards carry out their lifeless bodies once they have passed away.

          What a hoot. /s

          • Jimmy 4.1.1.2.1
            2 August 2022 at 3:05 pm

            You have to remember a lot of these people in there are in for very violent offences and are locked up to protect the public, so if they do decide to go on a hunger strike or do crazy stunts like this, and a few don't make it, is society better off or worse off?

            • Drowsy M. Kram 4.1.1.2.1.1
              2 August 2022 at 3:19 pm

              I realise it's a bit of a giggle to you, but how many humans dying in custody would it take for you to consider the possibility that society was worse off?

              https://www.nzhowardleague.org.nz/

              • Puckish Rogue …
                2 August 2022 at 4:32 pm

                Considering my last shift was in Kia Marama I could name at least 60 people whose deaths would make NZ a much better, safer, place

                • Jimmy …
                  2 August 2022 at 4:41 pm

                  That must have been an eye opening experience working there. I hope you have not been too scarred by the experience. I can only imagine some of the 'people' you have had the unfortunate dis-pleasure to meet.

                  • Puckish Rogue …
                    2 August 2022 at 4:46 pm

                    The thing is KM and Totara are really easy units to work in, you're at less physical danger

                    The flip side is you talk to people who do things you cant even begin to comprehend or imagine and they think its perfectly acceptable

                    This is one of the few times I won't give examples of what I'm talking about

                    The best thing you can do is not read their sentencing notes or their journals

                • Drowsy M. Kram …
                  2 August 2022 at 9:10 pm

                  So at least 60 people, in your opinion – might you pause at 60, or carry on?

                  • Puckish Rogue …
                    2 August 2022 at 9:14 pm

                    What is your point?

                    That you're a better, more moral person than I am?

                    That I'm borderline evil, sociopathic maybe?

                    • Drowsy M. Kram …
                      2 August 2022 at 9:29 pm

                      What is your point?

                      That you're a better, more moral person than I am?

                      I don't know you Pucky, only what you write here. I’m disinclined to attribute behavioural traits to you on that basis alone – doesn’t stop some people though.

                      For the record, I’m opposed to capital punishment. It’s possible that could change, given the ‘right‘ circumstances, but I’d hope not.

                    • Puckish Rogue …
                      2 August 2022 at 9:37 pm

                      I'm quite ok with people on here to judge me and you by our words on this subject

                    • Drowsy M. Kram …
                      2 August 2022 at 10:34 pm

                      I'm way too woke to be comfortable with the idea of 60+ deaths at one unit in one prison – might it raise questions about competence?

                      https://www.corrections.govt.nz/resources/statistics/deaths_in_custody

                      That number of deaths would, however, represent a considerable saving to the tax payer, and some might find it a atisfying outcome.

                    • Puckish Rogue …
                      2 August 2022 at 10:42 pm

                      Shame you can't ask the families of the victims what they think but if 60 child sex offenders suddenly died in custody I'd think its a good start

                      I know what your next question is going to be and the answer is yes I would be willing to carry out the executions myself, if the death penalty was reinstated

                    • Drowsy M. Kram …
                      2 August 2022 at 11:34 pm

                      Hang 'em high eh Pucky? So simple – and you'd be a hero. Makes you wonder why the death penalty was abolished in the first place – all those ambitions, thwarted – imagine the ‘fun’ you could have had with Peter Ellis.

                      Innocent people are too often sentenced to death. Since 1973, over 156 people have been released from death rows in 26 states because of innocence. Nationally, at least one person is exonerated for every 10 that are executed.
                      https://www.aclu.org/other/case-against-death-penalty

                      THE MISSION OF THE NATIONAL REGISTRY OF EXONERATIONS is to provide comprehensive information on exonerations of innocent criminal defendants in order to prevent future false convictions by learning from past errors.
                      https://www.law.umich.edu/special/exoneration/Pages/ExonerationsContribFactorsByCrime.aspx

                    • Puckish Rogue []
                      3 August 2022 at 5:00 am

                      You do know that one of the ways to get into treatment at KM is you have to admit your guilt

                      I'll also note that the Corrections Officers who were in the trial all thought Peter Ellis was innocent

                    • Drowsy M. Kram …
                      3 August 2022 at 11:47 am

                      You do know that false confessions occur in some child sex abuse crimes, albeit relatively rarely.

                      I’ll also note that if indeed “the Corrections Officers who were in the trial all thought Peter Ellis was innocent“, that didn’t do Ellis much good.

                      Since you touted the benefits of executing at least 60 imprisoned Kiwis, and mentioned being prepared to carry out the executions personally, are you also in favour of reinstating the death penalty?

                      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capital_punishment_by_country

                      Imho such a change would be regressive and out of step with many other democratic jurisdictions.

                    • Puckish Rogue …
                      3 August 2022 at 1:04 pm

                      'You do know that false confessions occur in some child sex abuse crimes, albeit relatively rarely.'

                      I’ll also note that if indeed “the Corrections Officers who were in the trial all thought Peter Ellis was innocent“, that didn’t do Ellis much good.

                      – Again you are wrong. He had a much better time of it in prison than he otherwise would have.

                      Since you touted the benefits of executing at least 60 imprisoned Kiwis, and mentioned being prepared to carry out the executions personally, are you also in favour of reinstating the death penalty?

                      – Well obviously

                      Imho such a change would be regressive and out of step with many other democratic jurisdictions.

                      – My first consideration is to keep babies and children safe from paedophiles, shame you think paedos should be protected

                      – Says a lot about you

                    • Drowsy M. Kram …
                      3 August 2022 at 1:23 pm

                      If you are suggesting that I think paedos should be protected from people who would 'execute' (murder) them, then yes – rule of law and all that. Your approach is too 'Top Gun' and Gung Ho! for my liking.

                      Just to be clear, if we followed the approach you are advocating, then NZ would reinstate the death penalty (removed from our statute books in 1961, except for the crime of treason which was repealed in 1989) and promptly execute at least 60 Kiwis? For starters?

                      https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/nz-behind-un-resolution-abolish-death-penalty

                    • Puckish Rogue …
                      3 August 2022 at 1:36 pm

                      'If you are suggesting that I think paedos should be protected from people who would 'execute' (murder) them, then yes – rule of law and all that.'

                      – Just to be clear paedos cannot change, the best you can hope for is that they decide to be celibate and thats it

                      – The price you're willing to pay for the protection of paedos is that a baby or child will be abused

                      https://www.corrections.govt.nz/resources/research/reconviction_rates_of_sex_offenders

                      https://smart.ojp.gov/somapi/chapter-5-adult-sex-offender-recidivism

                      'Your alternative approach is too 'Top Gun' and Gung Ho! for my liking.'

                      – Maverick actually broke a number of laws, I'm advocating a course of action that could only happen after a change in the law, maybe you should try watching the movie

                      'Just to be clear, if NZ followed the approach you are advocating, then we would reinstate the death penalty (removed from our statute books in 1961, except for the crime of treason which was repealed in 1989) and promptly execute at least 60 Kiwis – for starters?'

                      – No you're not clear, they've been sentenced so no I wouldn't advocate for the death penalty for people that've already been sentenced (of course if new charges were to come to light that would certainly be different)

                      – Next time they commit the crime though

                    • Drowsy M. Kram …
                      3 August 2022 at 1:57 pm

                      – Just to be clear paedos cannot change, the best you can hope for is that they decide to be celibate and thats it

                      Hmm – "paedos cannot change", and "they can decide to be celibate". Seems a tad contradictory to me, but you're the sexpert.

                      From your first link:

                      The re-imprisonment rate of adult sex offenders (35%) was twice that of child sex offenders (17%).

                      Pleased you “wouldn’t advocate for the death penalty for people that’ve already been sentenced” – let’s hope no new charges come to light.

                      Shame you can’t ask the families of the victims what they think but if 60 child sex offenders suddenly died in custody I’d think its a good start

                      I know what your next question is going to be and the answer is yes I would be willing to carry out the executions myself, if the death penalty was reinstated

                      Your ‘just getting started’ attitude frightens me.

                    • Puckish Rogue …
                      3 August 2022 at 2:08 pm

                      'Hmm – "paedos cannot change", and "they can decide to be celibate". Seems a tad contradictory to me, but you're the sexpert.'

                      • I am compared to you. They cannot change their sexual attraction to babies and children, the best you can hope for is they decide to be celibate.
                      1. a person who abstains from marriage and sexual relations.

                        "he's attracted to women babies and children and yet he lives as a celibate”

                      'let’s both hope no new charges come to light.'

                      • No. Lets hope that the paedos you want to protect don't rape more babies or children in the future when they're released.
                    • Drowsy M. Kram …
                      3 August 2022 at 5:45 pm
                      • No. Lets hope that the paedos you want to protect don't rape more babies or children in the future when they're released.

                      >80% don't – who protects them from your itchy execution finger?

                      I know what your next question is going to be and the answer is yes I would be willing to carry out the executions myself, if the death penalty was reinstated

                    • Puckish Rogue []
                      3 August 2022 at 7:34 pm

                      So 20% do, you going to go along to the victims and their families and explain to them why you think its acceptable for this to happen?

                    • Drowsy M. Kram …
                      3 August 2022 at 11:29 pm

                      …why you think its acceptable for this to happen?

                      Implying my opposition to your advocacy for the death penalty means that I think child sexual abuse is acceptable is pathetic – for the record (again), I think that child sexual abuse is unacceptable.

                      Sign this petition if it makes you feel better, but what you're advocating wouldn't fly even in the US ('Top Gun' reference!)

                      The death penalty: The past and uncertain future of executions in America

                      https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/facts-and-research/crimes-punishable-by-death/death-penalty-for-offenses-other-than-murder

                      Kennedy v. Louisiana Resource Page
                      “When the law punishes by death, it risks its own sudden descent into brutality, transgressing the constitutional commitment to decency and restraint.”

                      You could relocate to the likes of Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Iran, China, Saudi Arabia, UAE or China to exercise you itchy execution finger – a move I for one would be comfortable with, if the (imho) extremist views you've expressed in this thread are more than shock jock bravado.

                      I know what your next question is going to be and the answer is yes I would be willing to carry out the executions myself, if the death penalty was reinstated

                      Profiling Child Molesters: Thematic Differentiation of Crime Scene
                      Indicators and Correlations to PsychopathologyIndicators and Correlations to Psychopathology                       [2021]

                    • Puckish Rogue …
                      4 August 2022 at 7:31 pm

                      ' for the record (again), I think that child sexual abuse is unacceptable.'

                      • Whatever lies you want to tell yourself is your business but as the link you provided stated that 20% (I think it'll be more eventually) will reoffend and you're ok with that

                      You can sit there and think how much better you are, how much more of a moral person you are but know that the cost of what you believe are sexually abused children

                      Deal with it.

                    • Drowsy M. Kram …
                      5 August 2022 at 1:09 am
                      • Whatever lies you want to tell yourself is your business but as the link you provided stated that 20% (I think it'll be more eventually) will reoffend and you're ok with that

                      This "you're ok with that" lie of yours speaks to you character and becomes more pathetic with every repetition. It's clear evidence of the ease with which you lie and smear – deal with it.

                      I oppose the death penalty for any crime, including murder. Your hypothetical solution, i.e. the execution at least 60 Kiwis (for starters), is unethical and (thankfully) illegal. That there is not even a hint of reluctance to perform those executions yourself tells me all I need (or want) to know about you.

                      Considering my last shift was in Kia Marama I could name at least 60 people whose deaths would make NZ a much better, safer, place

                      Shame you can’t ask the families of the victims what they think but if 60 child sex offenders suddenly died in custody I’d think its a good start

                      I know what your next question is going to be and the answer is yes I would be willing to carry out the executions myself, if the death penalty was reinstated

                    • Puckish Rogue …
                      5 August 2022 at 3:42 pm

                      'That there is not even a hint of reluctance to perform those executions yourself tells me all I need (or want) to know about you.'

                      – In my opinion if you want executions brought back you should willing to carry it out yourself not put it off onto someone else

                      – So tell me how many babies and children would it take to be raped to make you change your mind on this or is your mind made up?

                    • Drowsy M. Kram …
                      5 August 2022 at 4:02 pm

                      My support for NZ law – killing by the State, or anyone, is illegal – won't change.

                      If (in your mind) that means I'm OK with the sexual abuse of children, then there really is no basis for further dialogue. You seem to be flogging a dead horse.

                      https://nzhistory.govt.nz/flogging-whipping-abolished

                    • Puckish Rogue …
                      5 August 2022 at 4:14 pm

                      Considering you put paedos ahead of little kids tells me all I need to know about you and your priorities

                    • Drowsy M. Kram …
                      5 August 2022 at 5:17 pm

                      Considering you put paedos ahead of little kids…

                      Are lies and smears all you’ve got?
                      You’re really giving this dead horse of yours a pounding – pathetic x3.

                    • Puckish Rogue []
                      6 August 2022 at 6:57 am

                      Maybe you need to get off your moral high horse and understand exactly what your beliefs lead to

                      Ever thought of becoming a CO and spending time with the people you so piously defend?

                      Naah you probably think that's beneath you, much easier to criticise those who do it rather than roll up your sleeves and try to help at the coalface

                    • Drowsy M. Kram …
                      6 August 2022 at 9:23 am

                      Maybe you need to get off your moral high horse and understand exactly what your beliefs lead to

                      My belief is that current NZ law constraining you from executing Kiwis is sound. "New Zealand’s last execution occurred fifty [65] years ago, in 1957. Capital punishment was removed from our statute books in 1961 [National Govt, under Holyoake]" – maybe you need to understand why the reintroduction of the death penalty, that you appear to be gagging for, would be regressive.

                      Naah you probably think that's beneath you, much easier to criticise those who do it rather than roll up your sleeves and try to help at the coalface

                      I'm critiquing these (imho unhelpful) comments made by a fellow public servant on this site.

                      Considering my last shift was in Kia Marama I could name at least 60 people whose deaths would make NZ a much better, safer, place [2 Augist @4:32 pm]

                      Shame you can’t ask the families of the victims what they think but if 60 child sex offenders suddenly died in custody I’d think its a good start

                      I know what your next question is going to be and the answer is yes I would be willing to carry out the executions myself, if the death penalty was reinstated

                      "I'm quite ok with people on here to judge me and you by our words on this subject" – roll up your sleeves and deal with it.

                    • Puckish Rogue …
                      7 August 2022 at 10:03 am

                      "I'm quite ok with people on here to judge me and you by our words on this subject" – roll up your sleeves and deal with it."

                      I want paedoes executed, you want to protect paedoes.

                      I don't mind everyone knowing how I feel about this subject, are you?

                    • Drowsy M. Kram …
                      7 August 2022 at 12:40 pm

                      I want paedoes executed, you want to protect paedoes.

                      You want at least 60 paedos executed (for starters), and would carry out the executions yourself.

                      In NZ, the death penalty was abolished before you were born – imho your advocacy for capital punishment is regressive.

                      I believe your proposed 'solution' to the evil that is child sexual abuse is itself evil ("That I'm borderline evil, sociopathic maybe?" – 2 August @9:14 pm) – that's not going to change, and so our ideas on how best to decrease the incidence of child sexual abuse are irreconcilable.

                      On at least one thing we do agree – "I'm quite ok with people on here to judge me and you by our words on this subject", and will continue to remind readers here of your words.

                      Considering my last shift was in Kia Marama I could name at least 60 people whose deaths would make NZ a much better, safer, place

                      Shame you can’t ask the families of the victims what they think but if 60 child sex offenders suddenly died in custody I’d think its a good start

                      I know what your next question is going to be and the answer is yes I would be willing to carry out the executions myself, if the death penalty was reinstated

                      Btw, did you get the Tom Cruise reference in my previous comment – a bit oblique maybe.

                    • Puckish Rogue …
                      7 August 2022 at 12:54 pm

                      So do it then.

                      Put a new post up explaining how you want to protect paedos, explain how at least 20% (and thats low in my opinion) will reoffend, explain what reoffend means and then post my solution to paedos

                    • Drowsy M. Kram …
                      7 August 2022 at 1:07 pm

                      you want to protect paedos

                      I believe in the rule of NZ law that protects all Kiwis from execution by the State – you don’t. Apart from paedos, are there perhaps other groups you might consider adding to your fantasy execution list?

                      Considering my last shift was in Kia Marama I could name at least 60 people whose deaths would make NZ a much better, safer, place

                      Shame you can’t ask the families of the victims what they think but if 60 child sex offenders suddenly died in custody I’d think its a good start

                      I know what your next question is going to be and the answer is yes I would be willing to carry out the executions myself, if the death penalty was reinstated

                      Female perpetrators of child sexual abuse: A review of the clinical and empirical literature – A 20-year update [January 2022]
                      https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1359178921001415

                    • Puckish Rogue …
                      7 August 2022 at 1:09 pm

                      Put a new post up explaining how you want to protect paedos, explain how at least 20% (and thats low in my opinion) will reoffend, explain what reoffend means and then post my solution to paedos

                    • Drowsy M. Kram …
                      7 August 2022 at 2:47 pm

                      Put a new post up explaining how you want to protect paedos…

                      Won't respond to your demand unless you can provide a quote that shows I think child sexual abuse is acceptable. No weasily inferences or deductions on your part – just a direct quote.

                      I don't need to protect paedos from execution by you – NZ law protects them. A professional, rational CO would understand why that is. Imho your comments in this thread are a disgrace.

                      Considering my last shift was in Kia Marama I could name at least 60 people whose deaths would make NZ a much better, safer, place

                      Shame you can’t ask the families of the victims what they think but if 60 child sex offenders suddenly died in custody I’d think its a good start

                      I know what your next question is going to be and the answer is yes I would be willing to carry out the executions myself, if the death penalty was reinstated

                    • Puckish Rogue …
                      7 August 2022 at 3:03 pm

                      Put a new post up explaining how you want to protect paedos, explain how at least 20% (and thats low in my opinion) will reoffend, explain what reoffend means and then post my solution to paedos.

                    • Drowsy M. Kram …
                      7 August 2022 at 3:07 pm

                      Won't respond to your demand unless you can provide a quote that shows I think child sexual abuse is acceptable. No weasily inferences or deductions on your part – just a direct quote.

                      Imho your comments in this thread are a disgrace – over to you.

                      Considering my last shift was in Kia Marama I could name at least 60 people whose deaths would make NZ a much better, safer, place

                      Shame you can’t ask the families of the victims what they think but if 60 child sex offenders suddenly died in custody I’d think its a good start

                      I know what your next question is going to be and the answer is yes I would be willing to carry out the executions myself, if the death penalty was reinstated

                    • Puckish Rogue …
                      7 August 2022 at 3:15 pm

                      Put a new post up explaining how you want to protect paedos, explain how at least 20% (and thats low in my opinion) will reoffend, explain what reoffend means and then post my solution to paedos.

                      You won't post because you know people on here will side with me (a known conservative) more than you

                    • Drowsy M. Kram …
                      7 August 2022 at 3:28 pm

                      You won’t post because you know people on here will side with me (a known conservative) more than you

                      Maybe most people reading this would be happy if (at least) 60 child sex offenders "suddenly died in custody" (“a good start“), but it seems like a slippery slope. If you can't see that then fine, and under NZ law it's a moot point anyway – no rational CO is going to risk facing multiple homicide charges just to exercise an itchy execution finger.

                      Considering my last shift was in Kia Marama I could name at least 60 people whose deaths would make NZ a much better, safer, place

                      Shame you can’t ask the families of the victims what they think but if 60 child sex offenders suddenly died in custody I’d think its a good start

                      I know what your next question is going to be and the answer is yes I would be willing to carry out the executions myself, if the death penalty was reinstated

                    • Puckish Rogue …
                      7 August 2022 at 3:34 pm

                      Too gutless to make a post and (correct me if I'm wrong) certainly too gutless to put on a uniform and deal with these people face to face

                      What use are you?

                    • Drowsy M. Kram …
                      7 August 2022 at 3:46 pm

                      I'm critiquing these (imho) disgraceful comments; it’s not personal.

                      Considering my last shift was in Kia Marama I could name at least 60 people whose deaths would make NZ a much better, safer, place

                      Shame you can’t ask the families of the victims what they think but if 60 child sex offenders suddenly died in custody I’d think its a good start

                      I know what your next question is going to be and the answer is yes I would be willing to carry out the executions myself, if the death penalty was reinstated

                    • Puckish Rogue …
                      7 August 2022 at 3:52 pm

                      You made it personal:

                      'Hang 'em high eh Pucky? So simple – and you'd be a hero. Makes you wonder why the death penalty was abolished in the first place – all those ambitions, thwarted – imagine the ‘fun’ you could have had with Peter Ellis.'

                      You won't even create a post because you know you'll lose, you who won't even put a uniform to see what prison is really like yet you'll happily 'critique' those who do

                    • Drowsy M. Kram …
                      7 August 2022 at 5:12 pm

                      Why did the NZ Parliament abolish the death penalty?
                      Here's (one reason) why.

                      Considering my last shift was in Kia Marama I could name at least 60 people whose deaths would make NZ a much better, safer, place

                      Shame you can’t ask the families of the victims what they think but if 60 child sex offenders suddenly died in custody I’d think its a good start

                      I know what your next question is going to be and the answer is yes I would be willing to carry out the executions myself, if the death penalty was reinstated

                      I’m sure you’re a winner in your own mind, but this one was ‘lost’ before you were born – deal with it.

                      “New Zealand’s last execution occurred fifty [65] years ago, in 1957. Capital punishment was removed from our statute books in 1961 [National Govt, under Holyoake]”

                    • Puckish Rogue …
                      8 August 2022 at 6:26 am

                      Well done, you support something that happened over 60 years ago and won't ever come back, so stunning and brave of you to make this stand

                    • Drowsy M. Kram …
                      8 August 2022 at 9:47 am

                      Thanks PR, in the same vein your advocacy for mass executions is stunning and brave – what you are proposing would certainly be a first in NZ.

                      Considering my last shift was in Kia Marama I could name at least 60 people whose deaths would make NZ a much better, safer, place

                      Shame you can’t ask the families of the victims what they think but if 60 child sex offenders suddenly died in custody I’d think its a good start

                      I know what your next question is going to be and the answer is yes I would be willing to carry out the executions myself, if the death penalty was reinstated

                      The child sex offender ‘treatment’ you are proposing is, however, illegal – please select a different treatment.

                      DOES SEX OFFENDER TREATMENT FOR ADULTS REDUCE REOFFENDING?
                      New Zealand evidence
                      Studies have found that child sex offender treatment for adults in New Zealand is effective.
                      Three separate studies have assessed the child sex offender treatment programme provided by Corrections in its special treatment units at Rolleston and Auckland Prisons. The researchers found that child sex offenders who completed the programme, were significantly less likely to be charged or reconvicted for a sexual offence than untreated child sex offenders.
                      https://www.justice.govt.nz/assets/Documents/Publications/Sex-Offender-Treatment-for-Adults.pdf. [Sept 2016]

                      Treatment Interventions for Perpetrators of Sexual Violence

                    • Incognito []
                      8 August 2022 at 11:19 am

                      The research could quite possibly do with an update, but the message seems clear enough:

                      “The evaluation shows that participants who completed the community-based programmes had a 5.2 percent recidivism rate, compared against the recidivism rate for untreated child sex offenders of between 16 to 21 percent,” says Jared Mullen, General Manager Policy Development.

                      The community-based programmes are funded by a number of agencies, including Corrections, Child, Youth and Family, and other community funding sources.

                      “It’s reassuring to know that effective programmes for this type of offending are available and being delivered in New Zealand, both in prison and in the community,” says Jared.

                      “However, we should remember that there’s no such thing as a cure for sex offending – no matter how good a therapeutic programme is, some participants will re-offend at some stage. All programme graduates need to maintain life-long vigilance against slipping back into old patterns.”

                      In New Zealand, treatment options for child sex offenders fall into three main groups: prison-based sex offender treatment units (such as Kia Marama at Rolleston Prison and Te Piriti at Auckland Prison), community provider programmes, and individual intervention through a psychologist.

                      The prison-based programmes have consistently evaluated well, with a 2002 Canadian review 1 of sex offender programmes putting Kia Marama alongside the most effective treatment programmes available internationally, on the basis of Kia Marama’s evaluation document, And There Was Light.

                      https://www.corrections.govt.nz/resources/research/child-sex-offender-treatment

                    • Drowsy M. Kram …
                      8 August 2022 at 1:56 pm

                      Thanks Incognito (@11:19 am) – I have next-to-no experience in this area, but imho the idea of initiating mass executions in NZ is extremely regressive, and to advocate for same is disgraceful.

                    • Puckish Rogue …
                      8 August 2022 at 8:58 pm

                      'but imho the idea of initiating mass executions in NZ is extremely regressive, and to advocate for same is disgraceful.'

                      Advocating (legal) executions for paedophiles is, to me, less abhorrent than advocating for a system that you know will mean children and babies get raped

                    • Drowsy M. Kram …
                      8 August 2022 at 10:23 pm

                      Advocating (legal) executions for paedophiles is, to me, less abhorrent than advocating for a system that you know will mean children and babies get raped

                      Yes, we agree that advocating for (unprecedented) mass executions and advocating for child rape are both abhorrent (disgusting and repugnant); not going to quibble about the lesser of two evils.

                      But it seems unlikely (to me) that the Government-funded system currently affording you employment as a CO is deliberately facilitating child sexual abuse – if I genuinely believed I was working for such a system, then I would quit – you know, get some guts and all that.

                      Would also quit if I was working for a system when it deliberately initiated mass executions ("a good start") – it's just personal principle.

                      Considering my last shift was in Kia Marama I could name at least 60 people whose deaths would make NZ a much better, safer, place

                      Shame you can’t ask the families of the victims what they think but if 60 child sex offenders suddenly died in custody I’d think its a good start

                      I know what your next question is going to be and the answer is yes I would be willing to carry out the executions myself, if the death penalty was reinstated

                    • Puckish Rogue …
                      9 August 2022 at 6:32 am

                      'if I genuinely believed I was working for such a system, then I would quit – you know, get some guts and all that.'

                      Yet you don't have the guts to make a post outlining your views and beliefs what those beliefs lead to

                      From the link you provided 20% will reoffend (and it'll be more than 20% in reality)

                      Get some guts, make a post and see what everyone else thinks

                    • Drowsy M. Kram …
                      9 August 2022 at 9:45 am

                      No electable political party supports what you're advocating (mass executions within the NZ penal system) – your extremely regressive 'treatment methods' for “kiddy fiddlers” will not be implemented.

                      Imho these comments of yours are simply impotent macho bluster – if you genuinely believe that mass executions of child sex abusers would be "a good start", then please relocate to Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Iran, China, UAE or China, where your itchy execution finger might make a difference.

                      Considering my last shift was in Kia Marama I could name at least 60 people whose deaths would make NZ a much better, safer, place

                      Shame you can’t ask the families of the victims what they think but if 60 child sex offenders suddenly died in custody I’d think its a good start

                      I know what your next question is going to be and the answer is yes I would be willing to carry out the executions myself, if the death penalty was reinstated

                    • Puckish Rogue …
                      9 August 2022 at 7:22 pm

                      'then please relocate to Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Iran, China, UAE or China, where your itchy execution finger might make a difference.'

                      And who'd replace me, you?

                      Someone so gutless they won't even put up a post because they're scared of the reactions they'll get

                      Yeah right

                    • Drowsy M. Kram …
                      9 August 2022 at 7:41 pm

                      Someone so gutless they won’t even put up a post because they’re scared of the reactions they’ll get

                      Haven’t stopped commenting in this thread yet, and don’t intend to while comments remain open, because I believe your advocacy for mass executions within NZ penal system is extremely regressive, and disgraceful – a boil that needs to be lanced, so to speak.

                      And who'd replace me, you?

                      Doubt I'd be eligible – is it your contention that any replacement hired by Corrections would also advocate mass executions?

                      Tbf, the idea that an applicant for a CO position could harbour ambitions of carrying out mass executions within the NZ penal system probably never crossed the minds of your interviewers, and yet here are your words, in black and white.

                      Considering my last shift was in Kia Marama I could name at least 60 people whose deaths would make NZ a much better, safer, place

                      Shame you can’t ask the families of the victims what they think but if 60 child sex offenders suddenly died in custody I’d think its a good start

                      I know what your next question is going to be and the answer is yes I would be willing to carry out the executions myself, if the death penalty was reinstated

                    • Puckish Rogue …
                      9 August 2022 at 8:14 pm

                      'Doubt I'd be eligible – is it your contention that any replacement hired by Corrections would also advocate mass executions?'

                      – Its my contention that anyone who hasn't got the courage to put a new post on here certainly wouldn't have the courage to step foot on the floor and tell prisoners what to do

                      'Tbf, the idea that an applicant for a CO position could harbour ambitions of carrying out mass executions within the NZ penal system probably never crossed the minds of your interviewers, and yet here are your words, in black and white.'

                      – Unlike you I stand by my words so keep posting them here or, if you've got the guts, a new post tomorrow morning

                      – Also sorry (not sorry) to burst your bubble but within Corrections Officers my views, not yours, are mainstream

                    • Drowsy M. Kram …
                      9 August 2022 at 8:39 pm

                      Unlike you I stand by my words…

                      Like you, I stand by my words – advocating (on a left-leaning political blog, no less) for mass executions within the NZ penal system is extremely regressive, and disgraceful; a boil that needs to be lanced.

                      …so keep posting them here

                      Thanks – I most certainly will.

                      Also sorry (not sorry) to burst your bubble but within Corrections Officers my views, not yours, are mainstream

                      If these views really are mainstream among (a majority of?) Corrections Officers, then (imho) the Minister of Corrections should be made aware (if he isn’t already) – OK if I email this thread to his office, or will you?

                      Considering my last shift was in Kia Marama I could name at least 60 people whose deaths would make NZ a much better, safer, place

                      Shame you can’t ask the families of the victims what they think but if 60 child sex offenders suddenly died in custody I’d think its a good start

                      I know what your next question is going to be and the answer is yes I would be willing to carry out the executions myself, if the death penalty was reinstated

                      office.davis@parliament.govt.nz

                    • Drowsy M. Kram …
                      9 August 2022 at 8:42 pm

                      Good, then the Minister’s office will receive this thread twice. [Oops, your reply seems to have disappeared?]

                      Don't know why you're so insistent that I should put up a new post – this thread is going OK as far as I'm concerned.

                      Considering my last shift was in Kia Marama I could name at least 60 people whose deaths would make NZ a much better, safer, place

                      Shame you can’t ask the families of the victims what they think but if 60 child sex offenders suddenly died in custody I’d think its a good start

                      I know what your next question is going to be and the answer is yes I would be willing to carry out the executions myself, if the death penalty was reinstated

                    • Puckish Rogue …
                      9 August 2022 at 8:48 pm

                      'Good, then his office will receive this thread twice. [Oops, your reply seems to have disappeared?]'

                      – I'm shaking in my boots

                      'Don't know why you're so hot and bothered about me starting a new post – this one is fine as far as I'm concerned.'

                      – As course this is fine for you, no one else is reading it.

                    • Drowsy M. Kram …
                      9 August 2022 at 9:37 pm

                      I don't mind how many people apart from you and me might read this thread or this email – hopefully at least one other person.

                      To the Office of the Minister of Corrections (the Hon Kelvin Davis)

                      It has come to my attention today that a NZ Corrections Officer who is advocating for mass executions within the NZ penal system, also believes that this view is mainstream among COs.

                      Normally I would dismiss such regressive advocacy as right-wing bravado, but he is an insider and, as such, perhaps his insights into work-related attitudes among COs should be taken seriously.

                      I would appreciate some reassurance from you, or your office, that advocacy for mass executions of prisoners is not widespread among Corrections staff. If these extremely regressive views are, in fact, widely held, then in my opinion this would constitute a metaphorical boil in need of lancing.

                      The following two direct quotes (made by the anonymous NZ Corrections Officer who drew this to my attention, and who has assured me that he will also be providing your office with the relevant thread) sums up the advocacy that I find so disgraceful. The entire thread (and a link to same) is appended at the end of this email.

                      "Considering my last shift was in Kia Marama I could name at least 60 people whose deaths would make NZ a much better, safer, place"

                      "Shame you can’t ask the families of the victims what they think but if 60 child sex offenders suddenly died in custody I’d think its a good start

                      I know what your next question is going to be and the answer is yes I would be willing to carry out the executions myself, if the death penalty was reinstated"

                      Sincerely, a concerned citizen [gave my real name in the email]

                      Well, that's done – don't expect anything beyond an acknowledgement but will let you know.

                    • Puckish Rogue …
                      9 August 2022 at 9:54 pm

                      I'll wait with bated breath, thats sarcasm if you weren't sure

                    • Drowsy M. Kram …
                      9 August 2022 at 9:58 pm

                      smiley

                    • Drowsy M. Kram …
                      9 August 2022 at 11:28 pm

                      Tēnā koe,

                      Ngā mihi nui o te wā ki a koe.

                      Thank you for your email to the Hon. Kelvin Davis, MP for Te Tai Tokerau.

                      If your email is concerning one of his portfolios we will forward your correspondence onto Wellington for his team to action at k.davis@parliament.govt.nz

                      If your email is regarding an issue within the Te Tai Tokerau Electorate we will be in contact as soon as is possible. Apologies for any inconvenience this may cause.

                      Please accept this as acknowledgement of your correspondence.

                      Nākū noa,

                      The Office of the Hon Kelvin Davis

                      MP for Te Tai Tokerau

                      Minister of Corrections
                      Minister for Children
                      Minister for Te Arawhiti – Crown/Māori Relationships
                      Associate Minister of Education (Māori Education)
                      Deputy Leader of Labour Party

                      Authorised by Hon. Kelvin Davis MP, Parliament Buidings, Wellington

                    • Drowsy M. Kram …
                      10 August 2022 at 9:54 am

                      Email this morning, from a person (!) – will keep you informed:

                      Thank you for raising this, I have sent to our Wellington team to take a look into.

                  • Puckish Rogue …
                    9 August 2022 at 8:39 pm

                    'Like you, I stand by my words – advocating for mass executions within the NZ penal system is extremely regressive, and disgraceful; a boil that needs to be lanced.'

                    No you don't.

                    You stand by your words when it suits you but you don't have the guts to start a new thread

                    'If these views are mainstream among Corrections Officers then (imho) the Minister of Corrections should be made aware – OK if I email this thread to his office, or will you?'

                    Sure I will

              • Jimmy …
                2 August 2022 at 4:35 pm

                It is pretty hard to get in to prison these days with a lot of judges giving very 'soft' home detention type sentences to reduce the prison numbers. But to be honest, if all the recidivist rapists, murderers, drug dealers and violent offenders that are in prison were suddenly 'wiped out' tomorrow (and I don't know how many that would be), I wouldn't lose any sleep.

        • Puckish Rogue 4.1.1.3
          2 August 2022 at 4:27 pm

          'Mind you Trevor Mallard tried the sprinkler approach and that didn't work out too well!'

          I'd use it differently, spray them to make them wet and let the cold take care of the rest.

          No tents or supporters for the guys on the roof

          'Best to just leave them up there, they will come down when they get hungry.'

          Problem with that is the amount of damage they can do while up there, the potential for injury (I couldn't care less if they hurt themselves but you know what the medias like…) and that its the prisoners decision to come down which means in this situation they have control

          One way officers used to end hunger strikes was by cooking various foods and letting the smells do their thing or by making a very sweetened cup of tea/coffee but yeah with hunger strikers we actually monitor what they eat and drink, a real time consuming pain in the butt

  5. DB Brown 5
    2 August 2022 at 1:21 pm

    A 60 year treaty of friendship with Samoa (as of yesterday) – that's awesome. We're there celebrating this event and with gifts. Lovely story.

    Also, embedded in the article is a rare clip – Our opposition leader not tripping over himself and politicking well.

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/129452293/pm-jacinda-ardern-announces-funds-for-rebuild-of-historic-market-climate-change-projects-in-samoa

  6. joe90 6
    2 August 2022 at 1:56 pm

    Out with the old half-wit, in with the new one.

    /

    https://twitter.com/RuthHen05786097/status/1554223524142792708

    • Stuart Munro 6.1
      2 August 2022 at 3:35 pm

      The Conservatives should be more grateful – Starmer will never cobble together a majority while Nicola Sturgeon holds the North.

  7. Tony Veitch (not etc.) 7
    2 August 2022 at 2:27 pm

    Ha! Natz Bennet, a Luxon/Muller lookalike, lasted less than 10 minutes into QT today!

    But at least he found the exit without assistance! (Or at least, I hope so!)

    • Peter 7.1
      2 August 2022 at 3:33 pm

      Dammit, I missed that. I've seen him before where he demonstrated a remarkable lack of intelligence. He simply didn't 'get' stuff.

  8. Robert Guyton 8
    2 August 2022 at 5:10 pm

    Did anyone watch this??

    Every body should!!

    Kiri – amazing!!

    Question 11 – Hon Paul Goldsmith to the Minister of Justice

    (can't link).

  9. Stephen D 9
    2 August 2022 at 5:53 pm

    The Greens are probably right, Part Two.

    https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/aug/01/climate-endgame-risk-human-extinction-scientists-global-heating-catastrophe?utm_term=62e8ba27a84b101beef408793622657a&utm_campaign=FirstEdition&utm_source=esp&utm_medium=Email&CMP=firstedition_email

    ”The risk of global societal collapse or human extinction has been “dangerously underexplored”, climate scientists have warned in an analysis.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Construction of a new mental health facility at Te Nikau Grey Hospital in Greymouth is today one step closer, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says. “This $27 million facility shows this Government is delivering on its promise to boost mental health care and improve front line services,” Mr Doocey says. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • NZ support for sustainable Pacific fisheries

    New Zealand is committing nearly $50 million to a package supporting sustainable Pacific fisheries development over the next four years, Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones announced today. “This support consisting of a range of initiatives demonstrates New Zealand’s commitment to assisting our Pacific partners ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Students’ needs at centre of new charter school adjustments

    Associate Education Minister David Seymour says proposed changes to the Education and Training Amendment Bill will ensure charter schools have more flexibility to negotiate employment agreements and are equipped with the right teaching resources. “Cabinet has agreed to progress an amendment which means unions will not be able to initiate ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Commissioner replaces Health NZ Board

    In response to serious concerns around oversight, overspend and a significant deterioration in financial outlook, the Board of Health New Zealand will be replaced with a Commissioner, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti announced today.  “The previous government’s botched health reforms have created significant financial challenges at Health NZ that, without ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
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  • Minister to speak at Australian Space Forum

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