Open mike 02/05/2014

Written By: - Date published: 6:55 am, May 2nd, 2014 - 153 comments
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153 comments on “Open mike 02/05/2014 ”

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  1. jpwood 1
    2 May 2014 at 7:08 am

    See Issac Davison’s article from teh Herald this morning. The Herald has gone from just regurgitating press releases to cut and pasting from Wikipedia (the last 9 paragraphs are lifted directly without attribution)

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11247889

    • Paul 1.1
      2 May 2014 at 7:19 am

      Yup, the Herald is a dreadful rag and clearly biased in favour of the National Party’s re-election. Their continued publicity of the ACT Party and its policies suggests the Herald’s owners only hope for a more right wing set of policies.

      The left wing wing should therefore be wary of this Williamson story, especially as the Herald broke it.

      First up it distracts from the Collins story.
      Secondly, it frees up a safe Auckland seat, which can be used by the ACT Party, to promote Jamie Whyte’s Libertarian viewpoints and get extra seats into power. The Herald is already pushing for Williamson to resign as a MP. This will provide a back up to Epsom just in case the folk of Remuera get sick of being taken for fools again.
      Thirdly, it allows the media to play the line of Key being decisive, which clears him from the mess of the Collins fiasco.

      The opposition must not let this story get ahead of the Collins Oravida affair as the latter drags down the PM and shows even more the corrupt nature of this government.

      • Paul 1.1.1
        2 May 2014 at 7:41 am

        On Stuff, Vernon Small spinning for the corporate media and trying some damage control for his masters. Just wait to to see the tr*lls on this site copying one or more of these slavish lines.
        Look at this just as one miserable example of the content of his woeful article.

        “His pre-sacking resignation was handled cleanly and swiftly by Prime Minister John Key and it was hard not to hark back for comparison to the dog’s breakfast Labour made of Shane Jones’ recent departure.”

        Vernon Small..another disgraceful excuse for journalism.

        http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/9999687/Maurice-Williamson-fallout-will-colour-perceptions

        • Pete George 1.1.1.1
          2 May 2014 at 7:54 am

          Maurice Williamson fallout will colour perceptions

          A gloomy, grey cloud has replaced the big gay rainbow that Maurice Williamson rode to stardom during the marriage equality debate.

          But the questions and potential fallout don’t end there.

          That opens the door to the perception of a different standard for the big investor over the average Joan Public; that “economic importance” could be a factor in the way the police go about their business.

          National’s critics are already drawing parallels with Judith Collins’ links to exporter Oravida – also headed by rich donors – and “that” dinner in China.

          It all feeds in to the Opposition parties’ narrative that the Government helps its “rich mates”.

          Small doesn’t mention the apparent ignorance of Williamson about the line he clearly crossed, that doesn’t look good for Williamson.

          But Small does address the bigger issue, the growing ‘perception’ that National’s relationships with Chinese business people are crossing a line. Unless more damaging details emerge Williamson’s fall will probably fade quickly but the spotlight on National’s ‘rich mate’ relationships will keep the pressure on them, and so it should.

          • Paul 1.1.1.1.1
            2 May 2014 at 7:57 am

            You copy and paste so well. fact checker.

          • Skinny 1.1.1.1.2
            2 May 2014 at 10:32 am

            The interesting issue heading into the election will be can John Key and his backroom boys force Williamson out of contesting his electorate seat for National? He has flatly refused to go on RNZ this morning.

            This will cause the dilemma of Key-National bleeding votes. But what Key is up against is if Williamson can hold enough support within his electorate committee, and give the middle finger to the PM, and still get away with it. He must fancy his chances of going it alone, probably figuring he can replace Dunne as a cabernet minister, if National squeak back in.

            Make no mistake Williamson has a history as a renegade MP, and with the comfort of knowing he is a very popular electorate MP, with a very healthy 13,000 majority at the last election, he can afford to give the solo option a real good crack.

          • blue leopard 1.1.1.1.3
            2 May 2014 at 10:50 am

            It all feeds in to the Opposition parties’ narrative that the Government helps its “rich mates”.

            I noticed this line on the News.

            This sentence turns what is occurring in NZ with our government into a ‘narrative’ suggesting ‘perceptions’ viewing blatant corruption are ‘simply an election strategy’.

            What about the possibility that Opposition parties’ ‘line’ is not a ‘narrative’, that they are stating things as they are?

        • phillip ure 1.1.1.2
          2 May 2014 at 7:55 am

          he is such a hack..

          • phillip ure 1.1.1.2.1
            2 May 2014 at 8:17 am

            ..and.. shane who..?

            ..is that shane-whose-phone-never-rings..?

            ..and what if the big pay-off/deal from his national party mates doesn’t come thru..?

            ..they don’t need him now/any more..so why should they..?

            ..he is of no more use to them now..

            ..now that his ‘mole’-role has been broken/surfaced..

            ..i am coming to the conclusion he has been so well and truly ‘played’ by mccully/the tories..

            ..that jones..

            ..and that no phones calls will be the least of his upcoming angsts..

            ..’regrets’..he’ll have a few..

        • RedLogix 1.1.1.3
          2 May 2014 at 8:19 am

          If you thought that was limp – try this exercise in … ( I was going for a colourful metaphor, but it’s not worth wasting my dignity on …)

          The handling of Maurice Williamson’s cloddish attempts to intervene in a police investigation was textbook.

          Key axed his statistics minister with ruthless efficiency.

          As he admitted this morning, he had little choice. Williamson had crossed the line where careers can be saved.

          After Judith Collins’ questionable dalliances with Chinese company Oravida, National could not afford another whiff of cronyism.

          ….

          Until Williamson announced he would seek re-election in September.

          By voicing that intention, it instantly became clear that neither he or his boss really believe he has done wrong.

          Like stalwart Nick Smith, who also resigned for trying to throw his weight around, Williamson will serve his penance until this unpleasant episode has faded from public memory.

          Cynical of course, but you’ve got to hand it to National – Williamson’s exit was nowhere near as messy as Shane Jones’ resignation last week.

          And Jones didn’t even do anything wrong.

          http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/opinion/9998284/Williamson-resignation-Nicely-done-Mr-PM

          Of course Ms Vance has pointedly failed to traverse the tricky little question of exactly how long “Mr Well Done PM” has known about Williamson’s errors of judgement.

          • Ant 1.1.1.3.1
            2 May 2014 at 8:25 am

            The do work quite meticulously to shield Key, I wonder if it is a sycophantic toady thing where journalists like Vance actually believe what they write, or whether it is a more cynical manipulation of public opinion, maybe a little of A a little of B.

            • Paul 1.1.1.3.1.1
              2 May 2014 at 8:30 am

              They don’t believe it.
              They write it to further their own careers as the only way up in organisations like Fairfax is to write unquestioning paeons to the dear leader.

            • Sanctuary 1.1.1.3.1.2
              2 May 2014 at 8:58 am

              I disagree – I think these guys DO believe what they write. I also think they think they are far more talented and smart than they actually are. The press gallery is so out of touch (the likes of Armstrong have been there far, far to long) and they have been so comprehensively bullied by Ede and Key that they have all developed a journalistic case of Stockholm syndrome. Their intoxication at their proximity to power combined with their arrogance and ego could never allow them to admit they are Ede’s pets – They are opinion shapers! They are the press gallery! They are players! – so instead they accept a warped interpretation of their warped reality of their relationship with the ninth floor, and regurgitate opinion that whenever it is exposed to critical examination in the real world (i.e. the Labour leadership contest) is shown as reflecting the received wisdom of about 50 people.

          • Paul 1.1.1.3.2
            2 May 2014 at 8:27 am

            “Try this exercise in….”
            sycophancy
            propaganda

            It’s not even subtle, the bias.

            • RedLogix 1.1.1.3.2.1
              2 May 2014 at 8:56 am

              Me thinks Ms Vance got a bit of a talking to after she accidentally did some real journalism re Mr Hair Do and the “Affair of the Prematurely Leaked Report” last year – and she’s still in ‘make-up sex’ mode.

            • freedom 1.1.1.3.2.2
              2 May 2014 at 9:49 am

              wajoh’s comment summed it up perfectly:

              thanks for this Nat party press release. Were there actually any words of your own in here?

              • Paul …
                2 May 2014 at 10:05 am

                Other comments with high positive votes.
                Looks lime a lot of people are getting sick of media bias.
                Time for Labour, the Greens and Mana to go on the offensive about media bias. People can see it.

                PeteryBab
                “Wow….just wow. I think I just threw up a little bit.
                What can I say but that it appears the cronyism goes further than just government ministers and millionaires….”

                Bronagh
                “Extraordinary! A story about National Party corruption and you praise Key and criticise Cunliffe. Your bias is astounding.
                I think Williamson resigned rather than Key sacking him…………Also the most important question is when did Key first find out about this? And why did it take the outing of Williamson by the Herald for anything to happen.”

                Robby
                “Williamson will serve his penance until this unpleasant episode has faded from public memory. ”
                You know what, Andrea, it only disappears because you and your mates ignore it.
                As for the Jones departure – that was only messy because you and your mates went nuts over it. Compare that to this episode “well done Mr Key”. I am REALLY tired of you and your Tory media mates.”

          • Draco T Bastard 1.1.1.3.3
            2 May 2014 at 8:58 am

            And the only reason why Jones’ resignation was messy was because a) the MSM beat it up and b) Jones himself being a dick. Obviously, the MSM are trying to bury the fact that a National minister got caught being corrupt.

        • Ennui 1.1.1.4
          2 May 2014 at 12:30 pm

          Paul, I think that you might be making some leaps of faith about Vernon Small. He writes within limits set by his editors no doubt, his allegiances are probably a long way from your description. I recall him in Christchurch many years ago as a very devoted Labour Party person. What he is now, who knows, maybe it is a case of shooting the messenger because the story doesn’t suit the reader.

        • The Pink Postman 1.1.1.5
          2 May 2014 at 2:47 pm

          Paul/
          Small’s comments are typical of Crosby -Textor managment .
          This dangerous .influencial group manage a number of Right -Wing parties .They win elections by what ever means they can and this includes manipulating the news media . Money and influence something the Left does not have,

        • David H 1.1.1.6
          2 May 2014 at 7:40 pm

          @ Paul. But as usual the comments say it all. This is a corrupt government.

      • Draco T Bastard 1.1.2
        2 May 2014 at 8:51 am

        First up it distracts from the Collins story.

        They may have wished for that but I just heard Cunliffe tie the two together on the radio news.

        • Ant 1.1.2.1
          2 May 2014 at 8:56 am

          Exactly it’s part of the same narrative that is actually going to gain traction because blood is in the water now, trying to separate the two now is laughable – it’s too late. Will also play into all the backroom deals that National likes so much such as Skycity and Warners.

        • Paul 1.1.2.2
          2 May 2014 at 9:06 am

          Excellent news.
          Labour and rest of opposition must maintain the link.
          It stops any narrative of Key being decisive, shows up overall corruption and keeps Collins and her motley crew under pressure.
          Her supporters don’t seem to have arrived on this site yet. Maybe receiving orders on their new spin line. Must be getting harder that one.

    • McFlock 1.2
      2 May 2014 at 12:57 pm

      plagiarism’s a serious issue – have they changed the online version? It doesn’t seem to be a direct copy any more (although at least one paragraph was circulating on the interwebz in 2010).

      Did you get screengrabs or a hard copy?

  2. phillip ure 2
    2 May 2014 at 7:08 am

    “..Meetings: even more of a soul-sucking waste of time than you thought..

    ..One company spent 300,000 hours a year on a single weekly meeting.

    Shall we go round the room – and see how each of you feels about that?..”

    (cont..)

    http://www.theguardian.com/news/oliver-burkeman-s-blog/2014/may/01/meetings-soul-sucking-waste-time-you-thought

    • Draco T Bastard 2.1
      2 May 2014 at 9:11 am

      So, can someone please tell me why management get paid so much when they waste so much time?

      • Draco T Bastard 2.1.1
        2 May 2014 at 9:20 am

        Thinking about it, that article actually shows that we could get better governance by using Loomio and everyone talking than we can using representatives. Hierarchy really is a waste of time.

        • phillip ure 2.1.1.1
          2 May 2014 at 9:45 am

          “..Hierarchy really is a waste of time..”

          aye..that often is the case..

          ..also hierarchy too often get in the way of progress/change..

          ..often largely for reasons of preservation/enhancement of their personal status quo..

          • Draco T Bastard 2.1.1.1.1
            2 May 2014 at 10:41 am

            also hierarchy too often get in the way of progress/change..

            ..often largely for reasons of preservation/enhancement of their personal status quo

            From what I could make out of political history that’s actually the reason we have representative democracy. To prevent the changes that the rich don’t like.

            • MaxFletcher 2.1.1.1.1.1
              2 May 2014 at 11:20 am

              “From what I could make out of political history that’s actually the reason we have representative democracy. To prevent the changes that the rich don’t like.”

              I think reason would be because organising millions of people to vote on every bill presented to parliament would be akin to herding cats.

              • Draco T Bastard …
                2 May 2014 at 11:31 am

                Nope:

                When the people find that they can vote themselves money, that will herald the end of the republic.
                Benjamin Franklin

                And there were other, similar, quotes from around the same time.

                • MaxFletcher …
                  2 May 2014 at 12:07 pm

                  OK, that doesn’t change the fact that getting millions of people to vote for every bill would be a disastrous exercise.

                  And your quote doesn’t really seem all that relevant but if you want to play argument by quote:

                  “The effect of [a representative democracy is] to refine and enlarge the public views, by passing them through the medium of a chosen body of citizens, whose wisdom may best discern the true interest of the nation….”
                  – James Madison

                  • Draco T Bastard …
                    2 May 2014 at 12:37 pm

                    OK, that doesn’t change the fact that getting millions of people to vote for every bill would be a disastrous exercise.

                    I understand that as well.

                    “The effect of [a representative democracy is] to refine and enlarge the public views, by passing them through the medium of a chosen body of citizens, whose wisdom may best discern the true interest of the nation….”
                    – James Madison

                    Which backs up exactly what I originally said. You don’t get the choice of the people but the choice of the representatives who’ve been bought by the rich.

  3. logie97 3
    2 May 2014 at 7:15 am

    Election advertising.

    How many electorates around New Zealand have National Party Billboards strategically positioned?
    West Auckland has had Hekia Parata and currently Paula Bennett smiling at us since the beginning of the year and the Northland electorate has Mike Sabin’s. They are disguised as announcements of public meetings. The important words are in reflective material that shine clearly in headlights – The MPs name and the party.

    How do these fit with the advertising laws?

    • Paul 3.1
      2 May 2014 at 7:20 am

      Can you photograph and/or provide links?

      • logie97 3.1.1
        2 May 2014 at 7:43 am

        Sorry, don’t have that expertise, but Waikumete, Lincoln Road, Te Atatu interchange, Swanson, for Bennett and variously along State Highway 1 for Sabin. (Would be interesting to know what the Penguin would make of it.)

        • freedom 3.1.1.1
          2 May 2014 at 8:27 am

          “Sorry, don’t have that expertise,”
          there’s an easy fix for that ….

          grab the nearest kid, they’ll do it blindfolded 🙂

          (no offence intended)

          • Draco T Bastard 3.1.1.1.1
            2 May 2014 at 9:14 am

            Don’t count on that.

          • logie97 3.1.1.1.2
            2 May 2014 at 9:31 am

            …thanks Freedom. The general question is “how are the Nats getting away with this?” considering the outcry by the Penguin and others when the review of the Electoral Reform Act came up. I understood that there are restrictions to electioneering in election years. I am wondering how many other Nat. politicians appear to be doing it. I have identified three.

            • Draco T Bastard 3.1.1.1.2.1
              2 May 2014 at 10:38 am

              I understood that there are restrictions to electioneering in election years.

              Not any more. National put it back to the original 6 weeks before the election. You’ll also note that those advertisements are for actual public meetings of the MPs which can be considered part of their job which is why they have the parliamentary seal on them. We get to pay for Nationals advertising.

              • logie97 …
                2 May 2014 at 11:18 am

                Thanks DTB. You have to ask why they use reflective paint for the billboards though. The details of the meetings a lost in the dark. And, furthermore, why in hell aren’t the other political parties doing it?

                • Draco T Bastard …
                  2 May 2014 at 12:39 pm

                  And, furthermore, why in hell aren’t the other political parties doing it?

                  They don’t have the same sort of parliamentary budget that the government has.

          • Bearded Git 3.1.1.1.3
            2 May 2014 at 10:48 am

            ha ha ha freedom. Very good. I always feel so small when my son sorts out my computer.

            But then perhaps it gives him and his generation high self-esteem which is no bad thing.

            • logie97 3.1.1.1.3.1
              2 May 2014 at 11:24 am

              BG. We all enjoy a degree of anonymity on this site. I understand uploading a picture can carry of a lot of extra information with it. (… this is a distraction from the original question).

        • Red Blooded 3.1.1.2
          2 May 2014 at 9:08 am

          Yeah I first saw the Sabin State Highway 1 billboards as early as July last year.

    • Tracey 3.2
      2 May 2014 at 7:56 am

      paula bennetts are when you come off the north western at te atatu. its advertising a community meeting that happened months ago.

      • karol 3.2.1
        2 May 2014 at 8:12 am

        There’s long been billboards with Bennett’s face on it in the Waitakere electorate – eg along the Great North Road leading to Henderson. Maybe just standard practice for her. Likes to mar the experience of travelling around west Auckland

        • Tracey 3.2.1.1
          2 May 2014 at 8:44 am

          i thought theyd used the wrong picture on that one karol. i genuinely idnt think it was bennett.

        • DTH 3.2.1.2
          2 May 2014 at 8:55 am

          There is usually one on Universal Drive also. There has been a few different versions over the last year or two. I have stopped looking though, doesn’t do any good for my mood.

        • Tracey 3.2.1.3
          2 May 2014 at 11:57 am

          shes updated it. now it refers to the meeting in lare april.

    • logie97 3.3
      2 May 2014 at 8:05 pm

      Just as an aside …

      Auckland Transport is going to limit roadside billboards. The Herald picks up the story and then proceeds to support it with a photo taken north of Whangarei …
      http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=11248295

  4. miravox 4
    2 May 2014 at 7:21 am

    It’s still Mayday where I am – In the early summer sun, there are parades, protests, speeches in the civic square and picnics in the park and at the Social Democrats HQ.

    In honour of the 51 workers who lost their lives on the job in NZ, the many injured or who lost their jobs last year a Worker’s Song

  5. Draco T Bastard 5
    2 May 2014 at 7:22 am

    And another tech firm lost

    Microsoft has bought Wellington-based cloud computing business GreenButton that can trace its origin to the Lord of the Rings movies.

    • Paul 5.1
      2 May 2014 at 7:28 am

      Amazing how the corporate media spins this story as a positive tale.
      The foreign takeover of a NZ company is a good news story.
      I guess the media believes this because they themselves are owned by foreign interests.
      30 years of neoliberalism has brought us to this…celebrating our serfdom.

      From wiki.
      “Fairfax Media Limited is one of Australia’s largest diversified media companies. The group’s operations include newspapers, magazines, radio and digital media operating in Australia and New Zealand. Fairfax Media was founded by the Fairfax family as John Fairfax and Sons, later to become John Fairfax Holdings. The Fairfax family lost control of the company in December 1990. It was renamed from John Fairfax Holdings to Fairfax Media in 2007.”

      • Draco T Bastard 5.1.1
        2 May 2014 at 7:47 am

        Amazing how the corporate media spins this story as a positive tale.

        Yeah, it’s along the lines of ZOMG, this little tech start-up was sooooo good Microsoft bought it up 111!!!11

        Rather than the truth that some more NZers just became serfs to foreign overlords.

        • sweetd 5.1.1.1
          2 May 2014 at 8:43 am

          Your comments should be directed at the owners of the business, and not have a belief that all NZ private business have to stay in NZ ownership. You could start your own business, make it successful and when Microsoft comes knocking turn them down.

  6. Red Rosa 6
    2 May 2014 at 7:28 am

    Before Williamson fades from the headlines, what about asking Tolley a few pointed questions.

    Such as – why did senior officers scurry around at Williamson’s behest, and not simply give him the brush-off? An ongoing criminal investigation…easy as….’sorry Minister, that’s just not on’.

    http://m.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11247894

    Maybe ‘attempting to pervert the course of justice’ is stretching it somewhat, but Tolley could enlighten us as to why it isn’t.

    • kenny 6.1
      2 May 2014 at 7:45 am

      According to Winston Peters on Morning Report just now, Anne Tolley knew about the Williamson police interference on the 4th April – so when did John (Dunno)Key actually know about it?

    • Tracey 6.2
      2 May 2014 at 8:00 am

      brilliant piece by a kiwi comedienne i have never seen before on tv1 breakfast show. did a wicked imitation of judith collins talking about mw resignation. i dont know how grant robertson kept a straight face. i know i didnt. comedy gold.

      • phillip ure 6.2.1
        2 May 2014 at 8:36 am

        aye..!..that was a very funny impersonation..

        ..and was it a drag queen that was doing it..?

        ..there certainly was that vibe,.

        ..the helmet-hair was a bit overdone..tho’…eh..?

        ..a bit more ‘judith’..than even ‘judith’ usually is..eh..?

        ..but all in all..

        ..not a bad performance/impersonation..

        ..(and has anyone told judith that a (recently combat trained) bennett is creeping up behind her..?

        ..knife/garotte in hand…

        ..bennett senses the old tusker is mortally wounded..

        ..and is waiting..eyes-gleaming..

        ..waiting for the right moment to strike..

        ..the ambition runs deeper in that one than most realise..)

        • Tracey 6.2.1.1
          2 May 2014 at 8:46 am

          it was when she started talking about being former minister of police and knowing exactly where the lines were…

      • cardassian 6.2.2
        2 May 2014 at 10:24 am

        Is it online anywhere? If so link please.

  7. Paul 7
    2 May 2014 at 7:34 am

    Maybe it’s about time to cast a closer spotlight on other National Party donors.
    What is their price for supporting the National and ACT Party?
    Looks like a group of individuals prepared to feather their nests at the expense of the independence of New Zealand and our economic sovereignty.
    Collins ….. Oravida
    Banks…..Sky City
    Williamson …Donghua Liu

    The list might be a lot longer.

    • Tracey 7.1
      2 May 2014 at 7:57 am

      i bet oriveda isnt one of the many companies that failed to meet the new standards for china.

    • Tracey 7.2
      2 May 2014 at 8:02 am

      dont forget oil and gas to mr jones…

      • Paul 7.2.1
        2 May 2014 at 8:14 am

        You are spinning so much you may fall over, Tracey.

      • Penny Bright 7.2.2
        2 May 2014 at 2:56 pm

        And don’t forget Len Brown and Sky City – if we’re being consistent on CORRUPT ‘conflicts of interest’?

        Penny Bright

        • Colonial Viper 7.2.2.1
          2 May 2014 at 2:59 pm

          How much did SkyCity donate to the Len Brown election campaign?

    • One Anonymous Bloke 7.3
      2 May 2014 at 8:41 am

      Paul I don’t believe these are isolated incidents, nor that the wider party is not involved.

      Simon Lusk alleges that National MPs “trade on” their time in Parliament “to build a lucrative business career”, and he should know: he’s trained enough of them for the role.

      It seems that for some, they can’t wait to leave Parliament to get on with it. Although someone should tell John Key that he is unlikely to earn as much as a model – even for Oravida – as he can designing exciting new financial instruments to hoover up money.

      But what they do as individuals pales by comparison to the behaviour of the wider party, which more or less sells audiences and indulgences and by the looks of it, justice too.

      • Paul 7.3.1
        2 May 2014 at 8:46 am

        Like the Hobbit Law and the Sky City Law?

        • One Anonymous Bloke 7.3.1.1
          2 May 2014 at 9:06 am

          Lots of meeting at which no notes were taken…

          From the AG’s report into the Sky City deal:

          The Prime Minister’s diary includes a meeting with SkyCity’s Chief Executive on 14 May 2009, which was one of a series of meetings that day with Auckland business leaders. SkyCity confirmed that this meeting took place. Neither participant can recall the discussion, and think that it was probably just an opportunity for them to meet rather than for any particular purpose…

          Yet SkyCity knew, from its earlier meetings with other Ministers, that the Government did not want to fund the construction of a convention centre at all and would look at alternative ways of making a centre viable, including regulatory reform to provide a potential provider with an enhanced revenue stream.

          Although the Prime Minister met with other business leaders and potential providers in the months before the EOI process, we have seen no evidence that this kind of discussion took place with any other potential submitter.

          • Paul 7.3.1.1.1
            2 May 2014 at 9:10 am

            Very interesting.

          • Draco T Bastard 7.3.1.1.2
            2 May 2014 at 9:48 am

            I thought ministers, especially the PM, were followed around by note takers to take down their every utterance so that such meetings were properly recorded.

            • One Anonymous Bloke 7.3.1.1.2.1
              2 May 2014 at 9:52 am

              Nah, the PM’s a decisive cut-through deal maker mate. Here, eat these prawns while I get a few pics.

  8. philj 8
    2 May 2014 at 7:49 am

    xox
    good to see Suzie and Guyon holding Labour to account for the Bill Luis episode, on Natz Radio this morning. Oh, it was supposed to be about Maurice.

  9. Jrobin 9
    2 May 2014 at 7:59 am

    Yes Espiner is particularly biased. Pity Russell Norman was on very early. His analysis was excellent and very penetrating re wealth and increasing political interference by the National Party This was rapidly shut down by Espiner.

  10. karol 10
    2 May 2014 at 8:14 am

    So is someone out to smear Bomber Bradbury – and by extension the Mana and Internet parties?

    • Ant 10.1
      2 May 2014 at 8:33 am

      Sounds like some people are just unhappy that the daily blog isn’t a soapbox for ALCP.

      • Tiger Mountain 10.1.1
        2 May 2014 at 9:04 am

        Sod’em, Bomber has done a great service with the Daily Blog which far outweighs the machinations of the various stoner factions. The ‘Public Address’ type luvvies sneer at him too, and sure Bomber often uses a double headed viking axe where other writers might use a stiletto, but that is why some of us like his style.

        • freedom 10.1.1.1
          2 May 2014 at 9:16 am

          and if Bomber reduced the inexplicable comment censorsing, it would be even better.

          • Disraeli Gladstone 10.1.1.1.1
            2 May 2014 at 9:29 am

            At one point, I started writing him little messages asking how his day was when he started censoring my comments that were even agreeing with the author of the post (but disagreed with him).

          • phillip ure 10.1.1.1.2
            2 May 2014 at 10:07 am

            i think the censoring-regime @ the daily blog has lessened somewhat…

            ..i have posted some reasonably harsh/critical pieces/comments there..

            ..and i see others getting thru that wouldn’t have previously..

            ..i don’t know if this has been a deliberate move..

            ..or has happened by a process of osmosis..

            ..but it is a definite improvement..and now they are there..i am puzzled they still don’t allow instant-comment-posting..as this would drive up their comment-traffic..

            ..i do see value in their comment-grading by readers system tho’..

            ..i find it adds nuance to any evaluations of moods around issues..

            ..and also provides more engagement/involvement by the reader..(and there is a degree of satisfaction to be had from up-ticking something you like..and down-ticking something you don’t..

            ..and this is particularly satisfying when the likes of neo-lib fanboy stuart nash post some drivel..get hammered in comments-thread..

            ..and then be silly enough to try to defend his spin/whatever in that comments thread..and then to get down-ticked right out the door..heh..!

            ..and each one of those down-tickers can feel a part of that clear message back at/to nash..he’d have to have the awareness of a rock not to take it as a major put-down/reality-check..

            ..there is empowerment/democracy to be had for the reader from that..i reckon..

            ..and that is a good thing to have going on..)

            (and a rating system would seem to be particularly suited to things of humour..like reader-captioning-posts..?)

        • Pascal's bookie 10.1.1.2
          2 May 2014 at 9:42 am

          Nah.

          I’ve tried to like Bomber, and used to, but I’m no longer even sure his heart’s in the right place.

          Dude attacks allies all the time, for self serving reasons; doesn’t disclose connections he has which directly relate to things he writes about; desperatly wants to be a left wing whaleoil.

  11. bad12 11
    2 May 2014 at 8:23 am

    Lolz, Espiner on RadioNZ National nailing the Conservatives Colon Craig to a cross of Craig’s own making, having Mr loony tunes admit that He happily breaks the law when beating ‘His’ children,

    Here’s a self confessed criminal offender happily boasting about His crimes to anyone listening, where’s a cop when you need one,(perhaps a flood of complaints to the plods might see them take some action against this self confessed law breaker)…

    • Tracey 11.1
      2 May 2014 at 8:51 am

      ?thats what we need, journalists taking to task people not yet in parliament while giving many there, representing us, a free ride and making up the excuses for them.

  12. philj 12
    2 May 2014 at 8:52 am

    xox
    Yes, Guyon set CC up. And Colin walked straight into it, AND didn’t even blink. Says a lot about CC’s chin. I have noticed that Guy on likes to set traps for the politicians. Sneaky and unprofessional. Low and counterproductive.

    • Tiger Mountain 12.1
      2 May 2014 at 9:08 am

      Yep Guyon is a sneaky little shit thats for sure. Running obstacle courses rather than interviews.

      • Paul 12.1.1
        2 May 2014 at 9:15 am

        A self promoter.

        • freedom 12.1.1.1
          2 May 2014 at 9:37 am

          and his voice gives him away when he is prowling and about to pounce
          his speech flattens in its emotive tone and noticeably speeds up in sentence delivery

          in poker it is called a tell

          he needs to work on that

    • bad12 12.2
      2 May 2014 at 10:10 am

      All that just says we need more intelligent politicians, while not defending anything any of the press does or doesn’t do,(some of Espiner’s stuff i like and some i loath), it is up to those who except His invitation to be interviewed to deal with how Espiner frames such interviews….

  13. Disraeli Gladstone 13
    2 May 2014 at 9:25 am

    While Bomber’s reassuring himself that he’s important, there was a genuinely great post on Labour’s new Kiwisaver policy on The Daily Blog:

    http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2014/05/02/let-them-eat-cake/

    Really good analysis of why the policy is simply not good for a lot of people.

    • Draco T Bastard 13.1
      2 May 2014 at 9:59 am

      Going to have to think about it but, yeah, that is an excellent take down of Labour’s policy.

    • Tiger Mountain 13.2
      2 May 2014 at 10:01 am

      There have been many high quality posts on TDB by writers other than Bomber. Never been ‘censored’ by BB myself, and I have disagreed with him, and really if people go to the effort of keeping a blog running like Lprent does at The Standard they get to make the rules.

      “The freedom of the press belongs to them that owns the presses” as the pre digital old truism went. Easy enough to start your own blogs.

    • Ant 13.3
      2 May 2014 at 10:52 am

      The analysis was lacking in many places, putting the debt problem at the feet of just the boomers ignores the fact that a large segment of the population use credit as a means to compensate for low wages. Consumption fuelled by debt isn’t solely a ‘rich boomer buying boats’ problem, that everyday, often vital consumption like groceries and bills are being covered by debt is far more of a problem.

      It also fails to understand the structure of our inflation problems while doing a Pete George by claiming that the whole 9% is coming out of employee wages and that this would happen immediately which is completely disingenuous when we know it will be a gradual introduction.

      It’s also not a stand alone policy in looking to correct structural problems with our economy.

    • bad12 13.4
      2 May 2014 at 10:53 am

      Yep Disraeli, Susan St John gets to the heart of the matter, it is the workers in the bottom of the economy, those who earn $40,000 a year or lower who will be punished by this Labour policy,

      While readers are over at the Daily Blog having a read of the linked to article check out Chris Trotter’s article on the same subject for a contrasting view,

      To me, Chris only sees this as a positive, i assume, choosing to simply ignore the glaringly obvious negative effects on the lives of the working poor,

      Any criticism seems to be glossed over with a bit of spin, ” would you rather give your money to the foreign owned trading banks or save it for your retirement”,

      That is a totally false argument, you only have to look at which demographics actually are the most indebted in our economy to understand this,

      The ”poor”, working or otherwise, in the main do not carry large debt loadings nor live their lives off of credit cards, the ”poor”, working or otherwise are restricted in their access to such debt by dint of their low earnings,(simply borrowing a couple of hundred bucks once will usually destroy the economy of poor families for months),

      It isn’t the domain of the ”poor” working or otherwise to be mortgaged, signed up to hire purchase agreements of expensive goods, living off of credit cards, operating business or farming debt,

      In fact, most of ”the poor”, working or otherwise, have no such debts that interest rates effect in any way, so it is not ”the poor” that will benefit from ‘being used’ as tools to keep interest rates low for those above them in the monetary pecking order…

      • karol 13.4.1
        2 May 2014 at 1:26 pm

        Meanwhile, in Aussie, those born after 1965 will have to work til they are 70 before they are able to get a pension.

        • bad12 13.4.1.1
          2 May 2014 at 2:48 pm

          As well as have their pension payments tested against both assets and income Karol, at this point there doesn’t seem to be such proposals in the air for the pension here in New Zealand,

          Once compulsion has been with us for a year or three tho i will expect ”novel” imperatives to be brought forward claiming ”there is no alternative” to such measures lest super become unaffordable etc etc etc…

      • phillip ure 13.5.1
        2 May 2014 at 4:44 pm

        there is a general rule of thumb there..naki..

        ..if the banksters don’t like it..

        ..we should smile..

        ..(and i bet they’ll be screaming doom/gloom! when the financial transaction tax is introduced..too..)

      • Paul 13.5.2
        2 May 2014 at 5:46 pm

        Glad to know you’re on the banksters side, srylands.

  14. ianmac 14
    2 May 2014 at 9:26 am

    “The NSA whistle-blower Edward Snowden should testify to the New Zealand intelligence committee on the influence the US spy agency has over its local partner, says Green Party co-leader Russel Norman.”
    Now wouldn’t that be interesting and informative. Can you imagine Mr Key agreeing to that? Me neither.
    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11247904

  15. Paul 15
    2 May 2014 at 10:55 am

    Seamus Milne has written some excellent pieces on the Ukraine.
    This is the story we aren’t hearing about the conflict. It is worrying to say the least.

    “It’s not Russia that’s pushed Ukraine to the brink of war
    The attempt to lever Kiev into the western camp by ousting an elected leader made conflict certain. It could be a threat to us all.”
    http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/apr/30/russia-ukraine-war-kiev-conflict

  16. Disraeli Gladstone 16
    2 May 2014 at 11:58 am

    As I’ve written here and on the Daily Blog, I do not like Labour’s new Kiwisaver policy. However, I feel that there’s a very real and good policy just lurking under the surface.

    I’d like to see the variable saving rate implemented but keep Kiwisaver voluntary. Therefore, over half the country who are already in Kiwisaver, experience the change. However, if you don’t feel secure enough in your financial situation, you don’t have to join Kiwisaver.

    For people with mortgages, it’s a big win. It also encourages people to join Kiwisaver since they can increase their savings rather than paying higher interest rates. And for people without mortgages struggling, it’s a win because you don’t have to join.

    If Parker was to come out on that policy then that single handily undermines National’s fake concern about the poor, the Left’s genuine concern about the poor and makes the policy so much stronger.

    Would such an approach work? I don’t think that undermines Labour’s goal of using Kiwisaver as a monetary tool. It still helps to keep inflation down by lowering income on the section of society that has disposable income ready to spend. I don’t think the poor who are struggling each month or lower-middle income families who are just getting by are contributing to inflation much.

    • chris73 16.1
      2 May 2014 at 1:20 pm

      Which is funny because I’d like to see it made compulsory but let the individual decide how much to pay in

    • bad12 16.2
      2 May 2014 at 2:43 pm

      Things are getting strange when we agree with each other Disraeli, it is those with the most debt in the economy that are most adversely effected by rising interest rates and my opinion is that it is they that should suffer the negative effects of attempts to keep those interest rates low,

      You have to though fully believe that David Parker has announced this policy with all honesty, politically it is a far better look to say that everyone(except the self employed strangely excluded), will have to pay into a kiwi-saver account which will then be used to help control interest rates than have it linked to raising the age of pension entitlement,

      Paul the Plumber, Bob the Builder, and, Fred the Farmer must all love the idea that the Parliaments cleaners will be paying outta their thin pockets to pay to keep interests rates low…

  17. captain hook 17
    2 May 2014 at 12:35 pm

    I see colin craig leering all over the telly last night about how he is going to contest Morris Williamsons seat but no mention of his suit against Russel Norman. Wassamatter colin? Did god tell you you weren’t going to win?

    • chris73 17.1
      2 May 2014 at 1:24 pm

      Williamson gone for being stupid (and getting caught) is a good thing but yeah as for looking for a silver lining National don’t have to worry about fitting in McCully, Bennet and Craig into 2 electorates
      so hopefully John Key can convince Williamson to not stand at the next election

    • chris73 18.1
      2 May 2014 at 1:33 pm

      Well theres a major blow for Labour (yes tongue is firmly in cheek)

      • Skinny 18.1.1
        2 May 2014 at 2:02 pm

        A number of others will have been given the message it’s time to move on, or face being shunted out on the party list. Those that have a ‘sticking around’ card to play will, that’s politic’s. Their are some in the similar position as Williamson, popular and or in safe seats. This is the pity, they remain because it’s hard to win over enough internal support to challenge them successfully with the votes to remove them.

      • the Pink Postman 18.1.2
        2 May 2014 at 2:53 pm

        Chriss.
        I expect the Herald headline ” Labour in disaray , Labour finished ! blahl blah.

        • chris73 18.1.2.1
          2 May 2014 at 5:08 pm

          Renewal is a good thing, maybe some others in Labour could be persuaded

  19. Tautoko Viper 19
    2 May 2014 at 1:35 pm

    This thought-provoking article by Dr Vadana Shiva indicates why it is absolutely imperative that NZ does not sign the TPPA.

    “At a time when the world needs to recognise that life forms, including seeds, are not an invention and the US should correct its laws to be more in alignment with the Rights of the Earth and with human rights, the US government is threatening India with trade retaliation to force us to change our patent laws yet again and introduce the unethical, unscientific and anti-human laws of patent monopolies on seed and medicine.”
    https://www.commondreams.org/view/2014/04/30-9

    • Ennui 19.1
      2 May 2014 at 2:42 pm

      When Vadana speaks the whole world should listen: she is one of the greatest minds on the planet today. Her advocacy for the environment, the poor and women has marked her as a great champion for the oppressed and a great opponent of what is unjust. What she says here is spot on.

  20. Hayden 20
    2 May 2014 at 2:31 pm

    Interesting:

    Justice Minister Judith Collins’ office initially asked for a foreign affairs briefing before a controversial dinner in China with Oravida representatives and an unnamed border official.

    …

    An October 15 email from her office noted:

    “On Sunday, October 20, the minister will be having a dinner that will include (redacted name). He has agreed to meet with the minister arranged by Mr Stone Shi, Oravida. The minister would like ambassador Carl Worker and his wife to attend this dinner. A briefing from Mfat will be required.”

    From Stuff

    Friendly dinner indeed!

    • ianmac 20.1
      2 May 2014 at 3:01 pm

      “On Sunday, October 20, the minister will be having a dinner that will include (redacted name).
      The ambassador was invited to an official meeting so it was not private after all. Maybe the ambassador could see the risks and so backed out. Collins V Williamson?

      • Tracey 20.1.1
        2 May 2014 at 3:08 pm

        or such short notice had another engagement which probably was seen as manna from heaven by collins to talk “more freely”.

    • Tracey 20.2
      2 May 2014 at 3:06 pm

      so… another lie… caught out…

      its second nature it seems.

    • Red Rosa 20.3
      2 May 2014 at 3:06 pm

      Time to go, Judith. A tangle of denial and evasion, slowly unravelling.

      http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/10002149/Mfat-briefing-requested-before-Oravida-dinner

      First the ‘cup of tea on the way to the airport’. Next, the supposedly ‘private’ dinner.

      Of course the real purpose of the trip was to deliver the preachy-teachy lesson to the Chinese on ‘Corruption’. As Minister of Justice, of course…maybe the NZ taxpayer could study this little gem and see how it’s done?

      Really, you couldn’t make this stuff up.

      • chris73 20.3.1
        2 May 2014 at 5:07 pm

        ”My office naturally asks for briefings for everything but it was a private dinner so it wasn’t needed.”

        Hoping its something doesn’t mean it is something

        • Hayden 20.3.1.1
          2 May 2014 at 5:25 pm

          Regurgitating Collins’ bullshit doesn’t make it nothing, either.

  21. phillip ure 21
    2 May 2014 at 2:53 pm

    this is kinda interesting..

    “..Cold War self-censorship prevented mainstream economists from diagnosing adequately the fundamental flaw in capitalism –

    Thomas Piketty said in an interview with The Huffington Post..”

    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/05/01/thomas-piketty-cold-war_n_5247373.html

  22. Penny Bright 22
    2 May 2014 at 2:57 pm

    FYI

    OIA reply from Minister of Justice Judith Collins dated 2 May 2014:

    re: name of the mysterious Chinese border official and agency for whom he worked, at the Beijing ‘private dinner’ stacked with key Oravida personnel.

    Judith Collins reply:

    “The dinner was a private dinner and not in my capacity as Minister of Justice.

    Therefore I am declining your request under section 2(1) of the Act as it does not meet the definition of Official Information.”

    I’m still waiting for a reply to THIS further OIA request:

    22 April 2014

    Minister for Justice
    Judith Collins

    ‘Open Letter’ /OIA request to NZ Minister for Justice Judith Collins – what was the involvement of the NZ Ambassador to China (Carl Worker) in your ‘private’ Oravida dinner?

    Dear Minister,

    Please provide the following information which confirms;

    1) Who invited Carl Worker, the NZ Ambassador to China, to this Oravida ‘private’ dinner?

    2) Why the NZ Ambassador to China, Carl Worker, declined to attend this Oravida ‘private’ dinner.

    3) Who paid for the ‘dinner’ that you ate?

    4) Why was your ‘senior advisor’ Margaret Malcolm present at this Oravida ‘private’ dinner, and in what capacity?

    5) In what capacity did you, Minister of Justice Judith Collins speak “.. to the ambassador about the dinner the following day and told him “nothing had occurred that was untoward and it was just a very private friendly dinner that was short”.

    ie: As a private citizen, or as the Minister for Justice?

    6) Did you, Judith Collins speak to Carl Worker in his capacity as NZ Ambassador to China, regarding this Oravida ‘private’ dinner?

    7) Is it your normal ‘custom and practice’ to take notes at ‘private’ dinner meetings with ‘friends’?

    8) How do you draw a ‘line in the sand’ between your rights to privacy as a citizen, and the public’s right to transparency in your public role as Minister for Justice?

    BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=11240640

    “Justice Minister Judith Collins has recovered her memory after telling Parliament she could not recall whether she had briefed New Zealand’s ambassador to Beijing about her Oravida dinner.
    …..
    In Parliament’s last session before a two-week recess, she again refused to identify the official she dined with, said she did not know of Oravida’s difficulties in the Chinese market before the dinner, and said she could not remember whether she had briefed ambassador to Beijing Carl Worker about the dinner.

    She told the Weekend Herald she didn’t believe she had spoken about the dinner to Mr Worker beyond an initial discussion beforehand when he said he would not attend.

    But on Thursday evening, she said she had checked her notes and believed she had spoken to the ambassador about the dinner the following day and told him “nothing had occurred that was untoward and it was just a very private friendly dinner that was short”.

    She said Mr Worker had asked her on the day of the dinner to just let him know if there was anything that he needed to know about.
    …….”

    Yours sincerely,

    Penny Bright

    ………………….
    …………………

    ‘Anti-corruption / anti-privatisation Public Watchdog’

    Attendee: 2009 Australian Public Sector Anti-Corruption Conference
    Attendee: 2010 Transparency International Anti-Corruption Conference
    Attendee: 2013 Australian Public Sector Anti-Corruption Conference

    2013 Auckland Mayoral candidate, polling 4th with 11,723 votes campaigning against corrupt corporate control of the Auckland region

    http://www.pennybrightformayor.org.nz

  23. Draco T Bastard 23
    2 May 2014 at 4:01 pm

    The ongoing saga of WINZ and Bennett against everyone on a benefit:

    She suggests that my illness and the amount of stress on me has distorted my perception of reality. I am utterly gobsmacked. A while ago I wrote about hysteria, and how it is a label given to women to belittle their experience, strip them of their rights, and silence them. This is exactly what is happening here. Yes, Paula, I am stressed. No, I am not incapable. My illness does not effect my brain, and my perception is entirely coherent.

    • McFlock 23.1
      2 May 2014 at 4:07 pm

      interesting article, and blog actually

    • weka 23.2
      2 May 2014 at 4:36 pm

      I can’t bring myself to read that. Bennett is the worst of the worst. Completely and utterly heartless, ideologically driven to the point of being pathological, and an outright bully.

    • BLiP 23.3
      2 May 2014 at 9:28 pm

      ‘

      Heart-breaking yet also encouraging to see that Sarah Wilson will not be bullied. Thanks for the link.

      From what I’ve seen of the evidence concerning the mental functioning of a neo-liberal like Paula Bennet, it is her and her ilk who are struggling with reality. That Paula Bennett’s first choice of action in dealing with Ms Wilson is to respond with ad homs rather than address the very valid points raised provides further evidence of the Minister of Social Development’s impaired cognitive functioning. Displaying such a vile strategy in her modelling of public dialogue also indicates a level of defensiveness bordering on the endemic psychological denial and utter lack of empathy one usually finds in the narcissistic-type personality disordered sociopath. Of course, within the John Key-led National Ltd™ Goverment such a condition would be considered an attitbute during the implentation phase of draconian legislation. Just as well for Natonal Ltd™ that John Key is super capable of emanating the full-beam charm of a true psychopath so as to detract from the sociopathic actions of his minion ministers.

  24. greywarbler 24
    2 May 2014 at 5:23 pm

    I was wondering today if the NACTs have become so enthused with the idea of China being The Next Big Thing that everybody who has asperashunal ideas has gone out and got themselves a pet Chinese person or Chinese project. Williamson just didn’t massage his magic lantern the right way.

  25. The Al1en 25
    2 May 2014 at 5:23 pm

    With the possibility of three ministers resigning within days of each other, I’m guessing John Key will try to convince us his government, and him personally, have any credibility left at all… In the style of a drunken cabaret singer getting over a bad hangover, mumbling the about the show having to go on.

    Getting a whiff of early election in the air.

  28. ianmac 28
    2 May 2014 at 7:30 pm

    John Key said that he called Williamson into his office and questioned him about his take on calling the police. Then accepted his resignation. OK? Shows what a good leader he is. Right?

    John Key refused to call John Banks in to explain.
    John Key refused to call in Peter Dunne to explain.
    And I don’t think he did so to Judith Collins and left it to his secretary.
    Anyone see the hypocrisy here?

  30. BLiP 30
    2 May 2014 at 9:04 pm

    ‘

    Interesting study carried out concerning news coverage of climate change in the United States . . .

    . . . CNN, Fox News, and MSNBC are the most widely watched cable news networks in the U.S. Their coverage of climate change is an influential source of information for the public and policy makers alike.

    To gauge how accurately these networks inform their audiences about climate change, UCS analyzed the networks’ climate science coverage in 2013 and found that each network treated climate science very differently.

    Fox News was the least accurate; 72 percent of its 2013 climate science-related segments contained misleading statements. CNN was in the middle, with about a third of segments featuring misleading statements. MSNBC was the most accurate, with only eight percent of segments containing misleading statements . . .

    . . . from what I can see, the New Zealand media is not quite so bad. The problem here, as I see it, is that there’s just so little news about it at all. One recent example is the visit to New Zealand by Commander of U.S. Pacific Command, Admiral Samuel J. Locklear. It was a kinda weird it was the most dastardly tory rag in the country reporting Locklear’s statement that climate change is the biggest security threat to the Pacific region. Needless to say, the comment was buried in the body of the article so as not to detract from embarassingly clumsy fawning of the obseqious scribe. Oddly enough, the NBR it was the only place I saw it reported other than at the ever reliable Scoop. Anyone else see it anywhere?

  31. The Al1en 31
    2 May 2014 at 9:05 pm

    A quick one for Rogue if he’s browsing through.
    I have something for you, give us a shout. 🙂