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)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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.
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.
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,
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
“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.
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
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.
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.
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.)
…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.
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.
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?
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).
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
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.
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.
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.”
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.
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’.
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?
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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..?)
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.
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)…
?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.
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.
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
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….
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.
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.
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…
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…
“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
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.
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.
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…
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?
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
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.
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
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.
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.”
“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?
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?
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?
“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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
. . . 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?
A new season of White Lotus is nearly upon us: more murder mystery, more sumptuous surroundings, more rich people behaving badly.Once more we get to identify with the experience of the pampered tourist or perhaps the poorly paid help; there's something in White Lotus for all New Zealanders.And unlike the ...
In 2016, Aotearoa shockingly plunged to fourth place in the Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index. Nine years later, and we're back there again: New Zealand has seen a further slip in its global ranking in the latest Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI). [...] In the latest CPI New Zealand's score ...
1. You’ve started ranking your politicians on how much they respect the rule of law2. You’ve stopped paying attention to those news publications3. You’ve developed a sudden interest in a particular period of history4. More and more people are sounding like your racist, conspiracist uncle.5. Someone just pulled a Nazi ...
Transforming New Zealand: Brian EastonBrian Easton will discuss the above topic at 2/57 Willis Street, Wellington at 5:30pm on Tuesday 26 February at 2/57 Willis Street, WellingtonThe sub-title to the above is "Why is the Left failing?" Brian Easton's analysis is based on his view that while the ...
Salvation Army’s State of the Nation 2025 report highlights falling living standards, the highest unemployment rates since the 1990s and half of all Pacific children going without food. There are reports of hundreds if not thousands of people are applying for the same jobs in the wake of last year’s ...
Mountain Tui is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Correction: On the article The Condundrum of David Seymour, Luke Malpass conducted joint reviews with Bryce Wilkinson, the architect of the Regulatory Standards Bill - not Bryce Edwards. The article ...
Tomorrow the council’s Transport, Resilience and Infrastructure Committee meet and agenda has a few interesting papers. Council’s Letter of Expectation to Auckland Transport Every year the council provide a Letter of Expectation to Auckland Transport which is part of the process for informing AT of the council’s priorities and ...
All around in my home townThey're trying to track me down, yeahThey say they want to bring me in guiltyFor the killing of a deputyFor the life of a deputySongwriter: Robert Nesta Marley.Support Nick’s Kōrero today with a 20% discount on a paid subscription to receive all my newsletters directly ...
Hi,I think all of us have probably experienced the power of music — that strange, transformative thing that gets under our skin and helps us experience this whole life thing with some kind of sanity.Listening and experiencing music has always been such a huge part of my life, and has ...
Business frustration over the stalled economy is growing, and only 34% of voters are confidentNicola Willis can deliver. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāLong stories short, the top six things in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Wednesday, February 12 are:Business frustration is growing about a ...
I have now lived long enough to see a cabinet minister go both barrels on their Prime Minister and not get sacked.It used to be that the PM would have a drawer full of resignations signed by ministers on the day of their appointment, ready for such an occasion. But ...
This session will feature Simon McCallum, Senior Lecturer in Engineering and Computer Science (VUW) and recent Labour Party candidate in the Southland Electorate talking about some of the issues around AI and how this should inform Labour Party policy. Simon is an excellent speaker with a comprehensive command of AI ...
The proposed Waimate garbage incinerator is dead: The company behind a highly-controversial proposal to build a waste-to-energy plant in the Waimate District no longer has the land. [...] However, SIRRL director Paul Taylor said the sales and purchase agreement to purchase land from Murphy Farms, near Glenavy, lapsed at ...
The US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act has been a vital tool in combatting international corruption. It forbids US companies and citizens from bribing foreign public officials anywhere in the world. And its actually enforced: some of the world's biggest companies - Siemens, Hewlett Packard, and Bristol Myers Squibb - have ...
December 2024 photo - with UK Tory Boris Johnson (Source: Facebook)Those PollsFor hours, political poll results have resounded across political hallways and commentary.According to the 1News Verizon poll, 50% of the country believe we are heading in the “wrong direction”, while 39% believe we are “on the right track”.The left ...
A Tai Rāwhiti mill that ran for 30 years before it was shut down in late 2023 is set to re-open in the coming months, which will eventually see nearly 300 new jobs in the region. A new report from Massey University shows that pensioners are struggling with rising costs. ...
As support continues to fall, Luxon also now faces his biggest internal ructions within the coalition since the election, with David Seymour reacting badly to being criticised by the PM. File photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāLong stories short, the top six things in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate ...
Not since 1988 when Richard Prebble openly criticised David Lange have we seen such a challenge to a Prime Minister as that of David Seymour to Christopher Luxon last night. Prebble suggested Lange had mental health issues during a TV interview and was almost immediately fired. Seymour hasn’t gone quite ...
Three weeks in, and the 24/7 news cycle is not helping anyone feel calm and informed about the second Trump presidency. One day, the US is threatening 25% trade tariffs on its friends and neighbours. The reasons offered by the White House are absurd, such as stopping fentanyl coming in ...
This video includes personal musings and conclusions of the creator climate scientist Dr. Adam Levy. It is presented to our readers as an informed perspective. Please see video description for references (if any). Wherever you look, you'll hear headlines claiming we've passed 1.5 degrees of global warming. And while 2024 saw ...
Photo by Heather M. Edwards on UnsplashHere’s the key news, commentary, reports and debate around Aotearoa’s politics and economy in the week to Feb 10 below. That’s ahead of live chats on the Substack App and The Kākā’s front page on Substack at 5pm with: on his column in The ...
Is there anyone in the world the National Party loves more than a campaign donor? Why yes, there is! They will always have the warmest hello and would you like to slip into something more comfortable for that great god of our age, the High Net Worth Individual.The words the ...
Waste and fraud certainly exist in foreign aid programs, but rightwing celebration of USAID’s dismantling shows profound ignorance of the value of soft power (as opposed to hard power) in projecting US influence and interests abroad by non-military/coercive means (think of “hearts and minds,” “hugs, not bullets,” “honey versus vinegar,” ...
Health New Zealand is proposing to cut almost half of its data and digital positions – more than 1000 of them. The PSA has called on the Privacy Commissioner to urgently investigate the cuts due to the potential for serious consequences for patients. NZNO is calling for an urgent increase ...
We may see a few more luxury cars on Queen Street, but a loosening of rules to entice rich foreigners to invest more here is unlikely to “turbocharge our economic growth”. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāLong stories short, the top six things in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate ...
Let us not dance daintily around the elephant in the room. Our politicians who serve us in the present are not honest, certainly not as honest as they should be, and while the right are taking out most of the trophies for warping narratives and literally redefining “facts”, the kiwi ...
A few weeks ago I took a look at public transport ridership in 2024. In today’s post I’m going to be looking a bit deeper at bus ridership. Buses make up the vast majority of ridership in Auckland with 70 million boardings last year out of a total of 89.4 ...
Oh, you know I did itIt's over and I feel fineNothing you could say is gonna change my mindWaited and I waited the longest nightNothing like the taste of sweet declineSongwriters: Chris Shiflett / David Eric Grohl / Nate Mendel / Taylor Hawkins.Hindsight is good, eh?The clarity when the pieces ...
Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on UnsplashHere’s what we’re watching in the week to February 16 and beyond in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty:Monday, February 10The Kākā’s weekly wrap-up of news about politics and the economy is due at midday, followed by webinar for paying subscribers in Substack’s ...
A listing of 23 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, February 2, 2025 thru Sat, February 8, 2025. This week's roundup is again published soleley by category. We are still interested in feedback to hone the categorization, so if ...
Today, I stumbled across a Twitter Meme: the ending of The Lord of the Rings as a Chess scenario: https://x.com/mellon_heads/status/1887983845917564991 It gets across the basic gist. Aragorn and Gandalf offering up ‘material’ at the Morannon allows Frodo and Samwise to catch Sauron unawares – fair enough. But there are a ...
Last week, Kieran McAnulty called out Chris Bishop and Nicola Willis for their claims that Kāinga Ora’s costs were too high.They had claimed Kāinga Ora’s cost were 12% higher than market i.e. private devlopersBut Kāinga Ora’s Chair had already explained why last year:"We're not building to sell, so we'll be ...
Stuff’s Political Editor Luke Malpass - A Fellow at New Zealand IniativeLast week I half-joked that Stuff / The Post’s Luke Malpass1 always sounded like he was auditioning for a job at the New Zealand Initiative.Mountain Tui is a reader-supported publication. For a limited time, subscriptions are 20% off. Thanks ...
At a funeral on Friday, there were A4-sized photos covering every wall of the Dil’s reception lounge. There must have been 200 of them, telling the story in the usual way of the video reel but also, by enlargement, making it more possible to linger and step in.Our friend Nicky ...
Skeptical Science is partnering with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. This fact brief was written by Sue Bin Park from the Gigafact team in collaboration with members from our team. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Is methane the ...
The Government’s idea is that the private sector and Community Housing Providers will fund, build and operate new affordable housing to address our housing crisis. Meanwhile, the Government does not know where almost half of the 1,700 children who left emergency housing actually went. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāLong ...
Oh, home, let me come homeHome is wherever I'm with youOh, home, let me come homeHome is wherever I'm with youSongwriters: Alexander Ebert / Jade Allyson CastrinosMorena,I’m on a tight time frame this morning. In about an hour and a half, I’ll need to pack up and hit the road ...
This is a post about the Mountain Tui substack, and small tweaks - further to the poll and request post the other day. Please don’t read if you aren’t interested in my personal matters. Thank you all.After oohing-and-aahing about how to structure the Substack model since November, including obtaining ...
This transcript of a recent conversation between the Prime Minister and his chief economic adviser has not been verified.We’ve announced we are the ‘Yes Government’. Do you like it?Yes, Prime Minister.Dreamed up by the PR team. It’s about being committed to growth. Not that the PR team know anything about ...
The other day, Australian Senator Nick McKim issued a warning in the Australian Parliement about the US’s descent into fascim.And of course it’s true, but I lament - that was true as soon as Trump won.What we see is now simply the reification of the intention, planning, and forces behind ...
Among the many other problems associated with Musk/DOGE sending a fleet of teenage and twenty-something cultists to remove, copy and appropriate federal records like social security, medicaid and other supposedly protected data is the fact that the youngsters doing the data-removal, copying and security protocol and filter code over-writing have ...
Jokerman dance to the nightingale tuneBird fly high by the light of the moonOh, oh, oh, JokermanSong by Bob Dylan.Morena folks, I hope this fine morning of the 7th of February finds you well. We're still close to Paihia, just a short drive out of town. Below is the view ...
It’s been an eventful week as always, so here’s a few things that we have found interesting. We also hope everyone had a happy and relaxing Waitangi Day! This week in Greater Auckland We’re still running on summer time, but provided two chewy posts: On Tuesday, a guest ...
Queuing on Queen St: the Government is set to announce another apparently splashy growth policy on Sunday of offering residence visas to wealthy migrants. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāLong stories short, the top six things in our political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Friday, February 7:PM Christopher ...
The fact that Waitangi ended up being such a low-key affair may mark it out as one of the most significant Waitangi Days in recent years. A group of women draped in “Toitu Te Tiriti” banners who turned their backs on the politicians’ powhiri was about as rough as it ...
Hi,This week’s Flightless Bird episode was about “fake seizure guy” — a Melbourne man who fakes seizures in order to get members of the public to sit on him.The audio documentary (which I have included in this newsletter in case you don’t listen to Flightless Bird) built on reporting first ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Karin Kirk The 119th Congress comes with a price tag. The oil and gas industry gave about $24 million in campaign contributions to the members of the U.S. House and Senate expected to be sworn in January 3, 2025, according to a ...
Early morning, the shadows still long, but you can already feel the warmth building. Our motel was across the road from the historic homestead where Henry Williams' family lived. The evening before, we wandered around the gardens, reading the plaques and enjoying the close proximity to the history of the ...
Thanks folks for your feedback, votes and comments this week. I’ll be making the changes soon. Appreciate all your emails, comments and subscriptions too. I know your time is valuable - muchas gracias.A lot is happening both here and around the world - so I want to provide a snippets ...
Data released today by Statistics NZ shows that unemployment rose to 5.1%, with 33,000 more people out of work than last year said NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi Economist Craig Renney. “The latest data shows that employment fell in Aotearoa at its fastest rate since the GFC. Unemployment rose in 8 ...
The December labour market statistics have been released, showing yet another increase in unemployment. There are now 156,000 unemployed - 34,000 more than when National took office. And having thrown all these people out of work, National is doubling down on cruelty. Because being vicious will somehow magically create the ...
Boarded up homes in Kilbirnie, where work on a planned development was halted. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāLong stories short, the top six things in our political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Wednesday, February 5 are;Housing Minister Chris Bishop yesterday announcedKāinga Ora would be stripped of ...
This week Kiwirail and Auckland Transport were celebrating the completion of the summer rail works that had the network shut or for over a month and the start of electric trains to Pukekohe. First up, here’s parts of the press release about the shutdown works. Passengers boarding trains in Auckland ...
Through its austerity measures, the coalition government has engineered a rise in unemployment in order to reduce inflation while – simultaneously – cracking down harder and harder on the people thrown out of work by its own policies. To that end, Social Development Minister Louise Upston this week added two ...
This year, we've seen a radical, white supremacist government ignoring its Tiriti obligations, refusing to consult with Māori, and even trying to legislatively abrogate te Tiriti o Waitangi. When it was criticised by the Waitangi Tribunal, the government sabotaged that body, replacing its legal and historical experts with corporate shills, ...
Poor old democracy, it really is in a sorry state. It would be easy to put all the blame on the vandals and tyrants presently trashing the White House, but this has been years in the making. It begins with Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan and the spirit of Gordon ...
The new school lunches came in this week, and they were absolutely scrumptious.I had some, and even though Connor said his tasted like “stodge” and gave him a sore tummy, I myself loved it!Look at the photos - I knew Mr Seymour wouldn’t lie when he told us last year:"It ...
The tighter sanctions are modelled on ones used in Britain, which did push people off ‘the dole’, but didn’t increase the number of workers, and which evidence has repeatedly shown don’t work. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāLong stories short, the top six things in our political economy around housing, ...
Catching you up on the morning’s global news and a quick look at the parallels -GLOBALTariffs are backSharemarkets in the US, UK and Europe have “plunged” in response to Trump’s tariffs. And while Mexico has won a one month reprieve, Canada and China will see their respective 25% and 10% ...
This post by Nicolas Reid was originally published on Linked in. It is republished here with permission. Gondolas are often in the news, with manufacturers of ropeway systems proposing them as a modern option for mass transit systems in New Zealand. However, like every next big thing in transport, it’s hard ...
This is a re-post from The Climate BrinkBoth 2023 and 2024 were exceptionally warm years, at just below and above 1.5C relative to preindustrial in the WMO composite of surface temperature records, respectively. While we are still working to assess the full set of drivers of this warmth, it is clear that ...
Hi,I woke up feeling nervous this morning, realising that this weekend Flightless Bird is going to do it’s first ever live show. We’re heading to a sold out (!) show in Seattle to test the format out in front of an audience. If it works, we’ll do more. I want ...
From the United-For-Now States of America comes the thrilling news that a New Zealander may be at the very heart of the current coup. Punching above our weight on the world stage once more! Wait, you may be asking, what New Zealander? I speak of Peter Thiel, made street legal ...
Even Stevens: Over the 33 years between 1990 and 2023 (and allowing for the aberrant 2020 result) the average level of support enjoyed by the Left and Right blocs, at roughly 44.5 percent each, turns out to be, as near as dammit, identical.WORLDWIDE, THE PARTIES of the Left are presented ...
Back in 2023, a "prominent political figure" went on trial for historic sex offences. But we weren't allowed to know who they were or what political party they were "prominent" in, because it might affect the way we voted. At the time, I said that this was untenable; it was ...
I'm going, I'm goingWhere the water tastes like wineI'm going where the water tastes like wineWe can jump in the waterStay drunk all the timeI'm gonna leave this city, got to get awayI'm gonna leave this city, got to get awayAll this fussing and fighting, man, you know I sure ...
Waitangi Day is a time to honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi and stand together for a just and fair Aotearoa. Across the motu, communities are gathering to reflect, kōrero, and take action for a future built on equity and tino rangatiratanga. From dawn ceremonies to whānau-friendly events, there are ...
Subscribe to Mountain Tūī ! Where you too can learn about exciting things from a flying bird! Tweet.Yes - I absolutely suck at marketing. It’s a fact.But first -My question to all readers is:How should I set up the Substack model?It’s been something I’ve been meaning to ask since November ...
Here’s the key news, commentary, reports and debate around Aotearoa’s political economy on politics and in the week to Feb 3:PM Christopher Luxon began 2025’s first day of Parliament last Tuesday by carrying on where left off in 2024, letting National’s junior coalition partner set the political agenda and dragging ...
Half of Pacific children sometimes going without food is just one of many heartbreaking lowlights in the Salvation Army’s annual State of the Nation report. ...
The Salvation Army’s State of the Nation report is a bleak indictment on the failure of Government to take steps to end poverty, with those on benefits, including their children, hit hardest. ...
New Zealand First has today introduced a Member’s Bill which would restore decision-making power to local communities regarding the fluoridation of drinking water. The ‘Fluoridation (Referendum) Legislation Bill’ seeks to repeal the Health (Fluoridation of Drinking Water) Amendment Act 2021 that granted centralised authority to the Direct General of Health ...
New Zealand First has introduced a Member’s Bill aimed at preventing banks from refusing their services to businesses because of the current “Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Framework”. “This Bill ensures fairness and prevents ESG standards from perpetuating woke ideology in the banking sector being driven by unelected, globalist, climate ...
Erica Stanford has reached peak shortsightedness if today’s announcement is anything to go by, picking apart immigration settings piece by piece to the detriment of the New Zealand economy. ...
Our originating document, theTreaty of Waitangi, was signed on February 6, 1840. An agreement between Māori and the British Crown. Initially inked by Ngā Puhi in Waitangi, further signatures were added as it travelled south. The intention was to establish a colony with the cession of sovereignty to the Crown, ...
Te Whatu Ora Chief Executive Margie Apa leaving her job four months early is another symptom of this government’s failure to deliver healthcare for New Zealanders. ...
The Green Party is calling for the Prime Minister to show leadership and be unequivocal about Aotearoa New Zealand’s opposition to a proposal by the US President to remove Palestinians from Gaza. ...
The latest unemployment figures reveal that job losses are hitting Māori and Pacific people especially hard, with Māori unemployment reaching a staggering 9.7% for the December 2024 quarter and Pasifika unemployment reaching 10.5%. ...
Waitangi 2025: Waitangi Day must be community and not politically driven - Shane Jones Our originating document, theTreaty of Waitangi, was signed on February 6, 1840. An agreement between Māori and the British Crown. Initially inked by Ngā Puhi in Waitangi, further signatures were added as it travelled south. ...
Despite being confronted every day with people in genuine need being stopped from accessing emergency housing – National still won’t commit to building more public houses. ...
The Green Party says the Government is giving up on growing the country’s public housing stock, despite overwhelming evidence that we need more affordable houses to solve the housing crisis. ...
Before any thoughts of the New Year and what lies ahead could even be contemplated, New Zealand reeled with the tragedy of Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming losing her life. For over 38 years she had faithfully served as a front-line Police officer. Working alongside her was Senior Sergeant Adam Ramsay ...
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson will return to politics at Waitangi on Monday the 3rd of February where she will hold a stand up with fellow co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick. ...
Te Pāti Māori is appalled by the government's blatant mishandling of the school lunch programme. David Seymour’s ‘cost-saving’ measures have left tamariki across Aotearoa with unidentifiable meals, causing distress and outrage among parents and communities alike. “What’s the difference between providing inedible food, and providing no food at all?” Said ...
The Government is doubling down on outdated and volatile fossil fuels, showing how shortsighted and destructive their policies are for working New Zealanders. ...
Green Party MP Steve Abel this morning joined Coromandel locals in Waihi to condemn new mining plans announced by Shane Jones in the pit of the town’s Australian-owned Gold mine. ...
The Green Party is calling on the Government to strengthen its just-announced 2030-2035 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement and address its woeful lack of commitment to climate security. ...
Today marks a historic moment for Taranaki iwi with the passing of the Te Pire Whakatupua mō Te Kāhui Tupua/Taranaki Maunga Collective Redress Bill in Parliament. "Today, we stand together as descendants of Taranaki, and our tūpuna, Taranaki Maunga, is now formally acknowledged by the law as a living tūpuna. ...
Labour is relieved to see Children’s Minister Karen Chhour has woken up to reality and reversed her government’s terrible decisions to cut funding from frontline service providers – temporarily. ...
It is the first week of David Seymour’s school lunch programme and already social media reports are circulating of revolting meals, late deliveries, and mislabelled packaging. ...
The Green Party says that with no-cause evictions returning from today, the move to allow landlords to end tenancies without reason plunges renters, and particularly families who rent, into insecurity and stress. ...
The Government’s move to increase speed limits substantially on dozens of stretches of rural and often undivided highways will result in more serious harm. ...
In her first announcement as Economic Growth Minister, Nicola Willis chose to loosen restrictions for digital nomads from other countries, rather than focus on everyday Kiwis. ...
The Government’s commitment to get New Zealand’s roads back on track is delivering strong results, with around 98 per cent of potholes on state highways repaired within 24 hours of identification every month since targets were introduced, Transport Minister Chris Bishop says. “Increasing productivity to help rebuild our economy is ...
The former Cadbury factory will be the site of the Inpatient Building for the new Dunedin Hospital and Health Minister Simeon Brown says actions have been taken to get the cost overruns under control. “Today I am giving the people of Dunedin certainty that we will build the new Dunedin ...
From today, Plunket in Whāngarei will be offering childhood immunisations – the first of up to 27 sites nationwide, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. The investment of $1 million into the pilot, announced in October 2024, was made possible due to the Government’s record $16.68 billion investment in health. It ...
New Zealand’s strong commitment to the rights of disabled people has continued with the response to an important United Nations report, Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston has announced. Of the 63 concluding observations of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), 47 will be progressed ...
Resources Minister Shane Jones has launched New Zealand’s national Minerals Strategy and Critical Minerals List, documents that lay a strategic and enduring path for the mineral sector, with the aim of doubling exports to $3 billion by 2035. Mr Jones released the documents, which present the Coalition Government’s transformative vision ...
Firstly I want to thank OceanaGold for hosting our event today. Your operation at Waihi is impressive. I want to acknowledge local MP Scott Simpson, local government dignitaries, community stakeholders and all of you who have gathered here today. It’s a privilege to welcome you to the launch of the ...
Racing Minister, Winston Peters has announced the Government is preparing public consultation on GST policy proposals which would make the New Zealand racing industry more competitive. “The racing industry makes an important economic contribution. New Zealand thoroughbreds are in demand overseas as racehorses and for breeding. The domestic thoroughbred industry ...
Business confidence remains very high and shows the economy is on track to improve, Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis says. “The latest ANZ Business Outlook survey, released yesterday, shows business confidence and expected own activity are ‘still both very high’.” The survey reports business confidence fell eight points to +54 ...
Enabling works have begun this week on an expanded radiology unit at Hawke’s Bay Fallen Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital which will double CT scanning capacity in Hawke’s Bay to ensure more locals can benefit from access to timely, quality healthcare, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. This investment of $29.3m in the ...
The Government has today announced New Zealand’s second international climate target under the Paris Agreement, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand will reduce emissions by 51 to 55 per cent compared to 2005 levels, by 2035. “We have worked hard to set a target that is both ambitious ...
Nine years of negotiations between the Crown and iwi of Taranaki have concluded following Te Pire Whakatupua mō Te Kāhui Tupua/the Taranaki Maunga Collective Redress Bill passing its third reading in Parliament today, Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “This Bill addresses the historical grievances endured by the eight iwi ...
As schools start back for 2025, there will be a relentless focus on teaching the basics brilliantly so all Kiwi kids grow up with the knowledge, skills and competencies needed to grow the New Zealand of the future, Education Minister Erica Stanford says. “A world-leading education system is a key ...
Housing Minister Chris Bishop and Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson have welcomed Kāinga Ora’s decision to re-open its tender for carpets to allow wool carpet suppliers to bid. “In 2024 Kāinga Ora issued requests for tender (RFTs) seeking bids from suppliers to carpet their properties,” Mr Bishop says. “As part ...
Associate Education Minister David Seymour has today visited Otahuhu College where the new school lunch programme has served up healthy lunches to students in the first days of the school year. “As schools open in 2025, the programme will deliver nutritious meals to around 242,000 students, every school day. On ...
Minister for Children Karen Chhour has intervened in Oranga Tamariki’s review of social service provider contracts to ensure Barnardos can continue to deliver its 0800 What’s Up hotline. “When I found out about the potential impact to this service, I asked Oranga Tamariki for an explanation. Based on the information ...
A bill to make revenue collection on imported and exported goods fairer and more effective had its first reading in Parliament, Customs Minister Casey Costello said today. “The Customs (Levies and Other Matters) Amendment Bill modernises the way in which Customs can recover the costs of services that are needed ...
Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Department of Internal Affairs [the Department] has achieved significant progress in completing applications for New Zealand citizenship. “December 2024 saw the Department complete 5,661 citizenship applications, the most for any month in 2024. This is a 54 per cent increase compared ...
Reversals to Labour’s blanket speed limit reductions begin tonight and will be in place by 1 July, says Minister of Transport Chris Bishop. “The previous government was obsessed with slowing New Zealanders down by imposing illogical and untargeted speed limit reductions on state highways and local roads. “National campaigned on ...
Finance Minister Nicola Willis has announced Budget 2025 – the Growth Budget - will be delivered on Thursday 22 May. “This year’s Budget will drive forward the Government’s plan to grow our economy to improve the incomes of New Zealanders now and in the years ahead. “Budget 2025 will build ...
For the Government, 2025 will bring a relentless focus on unleashing the growth we need to lift incomes, strengthen local businesses and create opportunity. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today laid out the Government’s growth agenda in his Statement to Parliament. “Just over a year ago this Government was elected by ...
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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
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.
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
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.
You copy and paste so well. fact checker.
you mean photocopy Paul.
PG clearly has a photocopier in the office… ha ha ha (tip to P Ure) http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-01052014/#comment-807530
will keep me in giggles all day long methinks ….
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.
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?
he is such a hack..
..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..
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 …)
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.
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.
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.
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.
lol! Well said Sanctuary +1
“Try this exercise in….”
sycophancy
propaganda
It’s not even subtle, the bias.
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.
wajoh’s comment summed it up perfectly:
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.”
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.
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.
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,
@ Paul. But as usual the comments say it all. This is a corrupt government.
They may have wished for that but I just heard Cunliffe tie the two together on the radio news.
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.
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.
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?
“..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
So, can someone please tell me why management get paid so much when they waste so much time?
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.
“..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..
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.
“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.
Nope:
And there were other, similar, quotes from around the same time.
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
I understand that as well.
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.
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?
Can you photograph and/or provide links?
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.)
“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)
Don’t count on that.
Kiwi kids are obviously smarter than UK kids 🙂
…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.
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.
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?
They don’t have the same sort of parliamentary budget that the government has.
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.
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).
Yeah I first saw the Sabin State Highway 1 billboards as early as July last year.
paula bennetts are when you come off the north western at te atatu. its advertising a community meeting that happened months ago.
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
i thought theyd used the wrong picture on that one karol. i genuinely idnt think it was bennett.
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.
shes updated it. now it refers to the meeting in lare april.
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
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
And another tech firm lost
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.”
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.
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.
No, foreign ownership should be banned as it turns NZers into serfs and prevents us from making our society better.
I think you miss the point of the issue. Completely.
Completely.
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.
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?
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.
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..)
it was when she started talking about being former minister of police and knowing exactly where the lines were…
Is it online anywhere? If so link please.
http://tvnz.co.nz/breakfast-news
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.
i bet oriveda isnt one of the many companies that failed to meet the new standards for china.
dont forget oil and gas to mr jones…
You are spinning so much you may fall over, Tracey.
And don’t forget Len Brown and Sky City – if we’re being consistent on CORRUPT ‘conflicts of interest’?
Penny Bright
How much did SkyCity donate to the Len Brown election campaign?
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.
Like the Hobbit Law and the Sky City Law?
Lots of meeting at which no notes were taken…
From the AG’s report into the Sky City deal:
Very interesting.
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.
Nah, the PM’s a decisive cut-through deal maker mate. Here, eat these prawns while I get a few pics.
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.
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.
So is someone out to smear Bomber Bradbury – and by extension the Mana and Internet parties?
Sounds like some people are just unhappy that the daily blog isn’t a soapbox for ALCP.
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.
and if Bomber reduced the inexplicable comment censorsing, it would be even better.
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).
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..?)
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.
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)…
?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.
? you would rather Colon Craig be in the Parliament then???…
does it have to be one or the other… didnt realise that.
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.
Yep Guyon is a sneaky little shit thats for sure. Running obstacle courses rather than interviews.
A self promoter.
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
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….
i rather enjoyed his interview with Colin Craig
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.
Going to have to think about it but, yeah, that is an excellent take down of Labour’s policy.
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.
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.
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…
Meanwhile, in Aussie, those born after 1965 will have to work til they are 70 before they are able to get a pension.
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…
Here is another point of view
http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/money/10000740/Bank-warning-for-Labour-KiwiSaver-plans
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..)
Glad to know you’re on the banksters side, srylands.
“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
Yes. Saw that – Iwas torn between doing a post on that, and the one I ended up doing (just published) on NAct and the corrosive impact of big money.
German Government Blocks Ed Snowden From Testifying Before Parliament So As Not To Upset The US
.
.
.
I don’t even think a /facepalm works on that.
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
The US is a threat to us all. Has been for some time.
+1
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.
Which is funny because I’d like to see it made compulsory but let the individual decide how much to pay in
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…
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?
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
Rajen Prasad will not seek reelection for Labour.
Well theres a major blow for Labour (yes tongue is firmly in cheek)
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.
Chriss.
I expect the Herald headline ” Labour in disaray , Labour finished ! blahl blah.
Renewal is a good thing, maybe some others in Labour could be persuaded
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
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.
Interesting:
From Stuff
Friendly dinner indeed!
“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?
or such short notice had another engagement which probably was seen as manna from heaven by collins to talk “more freely”.
so… another lie… caught out…
its second nature it seems.
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.
”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
Regurgitating Collins’ bullshit doesn’t make it nothing, either.
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
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
The ongoing saga of WINZ and Bennett against everyone on a benefit:
interesting article, and blog actually
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.
‘
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.
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.
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.
Not to worry, that’s just National renewing itself 😉
The force field rippled slightly and then we all saw it.
Teflon, when it goes, it goes, just like that. 🙂
We should be concerned.
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/01/vladimir-putin-ukraine-troops-withdrawal-angela-merkel
…. and on BBC and al jazeera very very worrying ….. poor old ukranians.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27250026
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2014/05/ukraine-forces-begin-assault-slovyansk-20145235428643470.html
Trotter’s take on how our political elite are selling away our sovereignty.
http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2014/05/02/a-world-of-strange-design-what-williamsons-phone-call-tells-us-about-new-zealands-political-class/
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?
The Andrew Wakefield fraud.
http://briandeer.com/mmr/lancet-summary.htm
‘
Interesting study carried out concerning news coverage of climate change in the United States . . .
. . . 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?
A quick one for Rogue if he’s browsing through.
I have something for you, give us a shout. 🙂