Open mike 05/02/2022

132 comments on “Open mike 05/02/2022 ”

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1. pat 1

   5 February 2022 at 6:12 am

   “Our restrictions there have served us well as a country, but they were only ever intended to be temporary. I think everybody would agree it’s not feasible to keep those kinds of restrictions in place for a prolonged period,” he says “If anything, I think most of us wouldn’t have envisioned they would be in place for as long as they have been.”

   https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/feb/04/were-all-nervous-nzs-covid-tsar-chris-hipkins-admits-uncertainty-over-border-reopening
2. Dennis Frank 2

   5 February 2022 at 7:38 am

   Anna Fifield is editor of Stuff's Wellington newsroom and the Dominion Post:

   I have been shocked since returning to New Zealand at the end of 2020, after two decades reporting overseas, at just how obstructive and deliberately untransparent our public service has become.

   While plenty of public servants try to do the right thing, they cannot prevail against the inertial effect of their neocolonialist culture. There would have to be a culture change before bad behaviour in the public service gets eliminated by design. The relation of incentive structures to systemic function is the key to that design!

   open government appears to be on the wane. This is partly because of the growth in the “communications industrial complex”, where vast battalions of people now work to deflect and avoid, or answer in the most oblique manner possible. We journalists are vastly outnumbered by spin doctors.

   Although public service cheerleaders tend towards smug complacency, they do have to defend their turf against the public interest. Spin doctors serve that purpose.

   When I was writing about New Zealand’s response to the pandemic for The Washington Post, almost every minister or ministry I contacted for an interview responded with a variation on: I’ll need to check with the prime minister’s office. Since coming home, I’ve been surprised by the lack of access to ministers outside carefully choreographed press conferences.

   Labour do need to circle their wagons to defend themselves from the horde of circling marauding journalists. Nobody should be surprised. It's Labour.

   Perhaps the most alarming, and certainly the most prevalent, trend I’ve noticed is the almost complete refusal of government departments and agencies to allow journalists to speak to subject experts.

   Yes, but experts have an alarming tendency to provide revelations to the media. These, when reported to the public, infect the body politic. Paranoia is realistic.

   Instead, all questions go through the communications unit, and almost always via email. That means we have no opportunity to ask for clarification or follow-ups or even to get answers in plain English. We often just get insufficient answers written in bureaucratese.

   What else would one expect from bureaucrats?? Arcane priesthoods doing jargon has been a feature of control systems for millennia. The current lot were taught their 19th century version and know no better.

   There’s certainly no chance to ask them anything like a probing question. That, of course, is the whole point of this stonewalling.

   Precisely.

   This obfuscation and obstruction is bad for our society for two key reasons. https://www.stuff.co.nz/opinion/127682814/letter-from-the-wellington-editor-when-did-our-public-service-get-so-arrogant
   • KJT 2.1

     5 February 2022 at 8:03 am

     Are there any Journalists left?

     Probably coincides with the need to defend against the abdication of critical thought by pretend Journalists, who think their main task is no longer "reporting the news".

     Who think their function is to tell the public the "Journalists" too often ill informed and partisan opinion.

     When they are not lazily parroting National/ACT press releases.
     • Adrian Thornton 2.1.1

       5 February 2022 at 9:32 am

       On the subject of "Are there any Journalists left?" it is probably well known around here that I have little time for the bulk of MSM content around foreign affairs, most of it being little more than stenography fed to them by enablers of Western Corporate Imperialism…however there is occasionally a piece written or a moment on western MSM that gives you a little hope…and here is one of them, here is US journalist Matt Lee doing exactly what should be the norm and not the exception, watch/read and enjoy…

       Reporter challenges US gov't 'Russian false flag' conspiracy, compares it to Alex Jones

       https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2022/02/03/aps_matt_lee_grills_state_dept_spox_you_making_an_accusation_about_russia_is_not__evidence_that_the_russians_are_doing_this_i_remember_wmds_in_iraq.html
       • Ed 2.1.1.1

         5 February 2022 at 9:40 am

         Totally agree Adrian.

         We are being propagandised to about the Ukraine, Taiwan, Hong Kong…

         In 2003 we were lied to about Iraq and weapons of mass destruction. And Bush and Blair went to war. Millions marched against their lies and they still went ahead with this illegal war.

         History is repeating itself.

         And this time, there are fewer people who are aware of how much they are being played.
     • Hunter Thompson II 2.1.2

       6 February 2022 at 9:41 am

       My thoughts too – real journalism (remember Richard Long?) disappeared in NZ about the same time we lost a true public service. It was replaced by outfits led by CEOs who stayed just long enough to (a) do real damage (b) get up their minister's nose and leave with a fat payout after a couple of years.

       Brian Easton has written on this on Pundit "How Broken Is The Public Service?"
   • Robert Guyton 2.2

     5 February 2022 at 8:07 am

     Stuff's Wellington newsroom editor wants greater cooperation from public servants and so calls them an "arcane priesthood"?

     Should do it.
     • Sabine 2.2.1

       5 February 2022 at 8:46 am

       How dare she/he. Don't they know their place?

       Maybe they should get on the floor on their knees and kindly ask some Labour Gatekeeper if now is the right time to ask some pre-approved questions. Maybe they should send in their article to be approved by some Labour Censor? Can't let them write something that would make this band of suits look less then stellar. After all they want to win another election, cause what would they do if they don't? Retire. Lol.

       But seriously would that be good enough for you Robert?
     • gsays 2.2.2

       5 February 2022 at 9:12 am

       Looking at the quote marks, I think it's Dennis using the term arcane priesthood.

       What should they be called to get some of the transparency promised by Ardern?
       • Robert Guyton 2.2.2.1

         5 February 2022 at 9:13 am

         Oh, true! Thanks.
     • Stuart Munro 2.2.3

       5 February 2022 at 9:21 pm

       Neither the media nor the public service plausibly represent the public interest – a plague on both their houses.
   • Foreign waka 2.3

     5 February 2022 at 9:41 am

     I saw this article and agree, we are ever so close to the Soviet Union style politics, where secrecy is persuasive. But I also put it to journalists, the information is always somewhere even in small print and if not, research. This is the job of the journalist. But equally, being a small country if one loses the job its not easy to get back on the horse. By now it is clear that those reporting on politics are now the only chance for NZ landers to get a clearer picture what is happening in the background. We await your report with full anticipation. Meanwhile, I judge what the truth is by access to health services, income erosion, tax increases on the low and middle class, education outcomes (!) against international standard, money “gifted” left right and center. Looking at manipulating reports of increased profits being due to property changes but really its the 16 Billion gift tag that went to shareholders. I also wait after that stellar profit report from Briscoes whether the have the backbone to pay back the “support” that keeps NZlanders in jobs. Yeah right. Any person can watch this and make up their mind. Well, Mr Saymour looks at the moment more appealing than Mrs Adern. You know what you get. Deceit is not on the list.
     • Blazer 2.3.1

       5 February 2022 at 9:57 am

       My understanding is that Briscoes did pay back Govt support subsidies.

       Harvey Normans…certainly did not..even had the audacity to hand out a special dividend to shareholders.
       • Foreign waka 2.3.1.1

         5 February 2022 at 10:39 am

         If they have, I stand corrected.
         • alwyn 2.3.1.1.1

           5 February 2022 at 2:39 pm

           Yes they did pay it back. After the lockdown sales picked up to the extent that they could repay the subsidy and then reinstate paying dividends. They had cancelled their dividend earlier in the year).

           "That sustained performance meant, in October, the company, which owns Briscoes, Rebel Sport, and Living & Giving chains, was able to repay an $11.5m wage subsidy it received from the Government, she (Board Chair Dame Roseanne Meo) said.

           https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/123672125/briscoe-group-pays-special-6c-per-share-dividend-after-repaying-115m-wage-subsidy
           • Foreign waka 2.3.1.1.1.1

             5 February 2022 at 3:04 pm

             https://www.newsroom.co.nz/top-10-requested-wage-subsidy-repayments

             Yes, you are right. I found that report from November last year. Scrolling down shows the companies from highest to lowest payout. The real issue is that 18 billion dollars of "our" tax money has been spend without a sliver of control, checks etc. It needed a statement from the Auditor General to get some (MSD drags their heals) traction. We are talking about standard prudent process that has been completely sidestepped. And now the same taxpayer has to pay for their infrastructure and social services (unemployment insurance) again because "you will be poor and you will be happy"? (sic)

             Essentially, putting 2 generations into debt at such scale without prudent process is, sorry to use the word: incompetent. Not that I believe that the Nats or even the Greens are any better.
             • Patricia Bremner …

               5 February 2022 at 8:15 pm

               I seem to recall an audit of recipients, and requests for refunds from some.
3. Herodotus 3

   5 February 2022 at 7:52 am

   Something imo that is very good to watch, a 10 episode of Maid, I did find it quite heavy. Side note this has as the main characters a real mum daughter play the same roles on screen

   https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/maid

   https://www.netflix.com/nz/title/81166770
4. tsmithfield 4

   5 February 2022 at 8:00 am

   I saw the interview between John Campbell and Poto Williams that was on TV1 Breakfast I think on the 3rd of February. The full interview can be seen here and is worth a watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gC7yx8zH2eA

   In this interview, John Campbell is questioning her about what the government intends to do about the fact the poor have got much poorer and the rich much richer over the last several years, and the fact that renters are becoming incredibly squeezed with high rents.

   A heavily edited version was put up on Kiwiblog, and I think this was very unfair to Poto because it intentionally made her look clueless, and made John Campbell look domineering. However, the full interview I think both John Campbell and Poto do quite well.

   The take-away was that Poto recognised she (and the government) are in an incredibly tough spot, and they are struggling to come up with answers.

   I thought it would be good to kick off some discussion around this point, to see if there are some good solutions to this very difficult problem.

   Firstly, the reason for the inequality problem really isn't the governments fault. National probably would have done exactly the same so far as printing money and borrowing in the face of the looming pandemic crisis.

   However, the unintended consequence of this action is now being seen in terms of sky-rocketing house prices and inflation. It is an incredibly difficult problem to unwind without crashing the economy and making things even worse for the poor.

   Secondly, though, I think the government is at fault for some of the new burdens they have put on landlords. For instance, changing the interest deductibility rules for landlords,

   https://www.grantthornton.co.nz/insights/governments-interest-deductibility-rules-the-most-controversial-tax-policy-to-date/

   And changing tenancy laws to make it more difficult for landlords to cease tenancies:

   https://www.tenancy.govt.nz/law-changes/

   Amongst a number of other changes.

   The intention obviously was to make things better for renters. But the unintended consequence is for landlords to pass on the increased costs and risks to tenants in the form of higher rents.

   The other problem is inflation. Costs generally are increasing. This affects landlords as well. For instance, some councils are intending to increase rates at far higher than the rate of inflation:

   https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellingtonians-faced-with-a-91-per-cent-rates-increase/3PMYJNBUYJIMEIOIHCVYMA6I3M/

   These costs are also passed on to tenants in the form of higher rents.

   So, what to do about this problem?

   Poto correctly identified in the interview that the ultimate solution was to increase the supply of housing. In this respect, it really is a pity that the government is nowhere near being on track with their promised 100000 houses, as that would be making a big difference right now. She correctly identified that this increased supply was going to take time, and that it wasn't going to help right now.

   So, she said that the government was looking at options to solve the problem. She talked about the possibility of rent controls and/or indexation (I assume indexing rent to the rate of inflation).

   So, I thought I would consider some of the options available to the government, and what the effect might be.

   Rent Controls:

   I think this is a bad idea. For a start, there is a generally accepted principle that price controls cause shortages.

   https://www.econlib.org/library/Enc/PriceControls.html

   In the case of rents in NZ, it is important to remember that we soon will be having an influx of kiwis returning from overseas, all needing housing. So the demand for houses is going to increase not decrease.

   If the government were to bring in rent controls, landlords are going to become incredibly choosey about who they rent to. This is going to make it much more difficult for the poor to find housing.

   So for this, and for other reasons, I don't think rent controls are going to work.

   Another option the government could consider is increasing accommodation supplements for the poor.

   But this option is going to have the same effect as money printing and borrowing in that it is effectively injecting more liquidity into the housing market, so will just push up house prices and rents further.

   So, that will probably do for the moment. You may disagree with some of the points I have made. If so, let me know why you think I am wrong.

   However, I would really be interested in whether we can come up with some effective solutions to this really difficult problem that avoid the unintended consequences of making things worse for those that are affected by the housing shortage and high rents.
   • Bearded Git 4.1

     5 February 2022 at 8:59 am

     tsmithfield-I disagree entirely. Making interest non-deductable on rental house loans is one of the best things this government has done. It should have been done long ago. Before this the playing field was tilted way to much towards investment in housing rather than in other things.

     You say that landlords simply pass the cost of this to the tenant but that is not how the rental market works. Its supply and demand.

     This is why the record house construction and building consents now being experienced in NZ is a good thing.

     https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/all-time-record-set-for-nz-house-building-consents/MNK43YSMNQPK4ZP7RQJ3NYYDAE/

     https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/nz-house-building-hits-highest-mark-since-1974/H7K645ANXEECF6AS42Q3MZN72U/?ref=readmore

     https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/new-home-building-reaches-another-record-high
     • tsmithfield 4.1.1

       5 February 2022 at 9:08 am

       I agree that the building of houses is a good thing, and that will solve the problem eventually.

       But what Poto correctly recognised was that it wouldn't solve the problem straight away.

       I agree with you that ultimately supply and demand determines pricing. But it is not quite so simple in terms of factors such as the interest deductibility.

       The thing is that if the government makes it less desirable to be a landlord (by increasing costs, compliance, and risk), then that will motivate some landlords to exit the market, thus decreasing supply. Thus, supply decreases and prices rise, in accordance with your own argument.

       Exiting the market doesn't necessarily have a zero effect on house supply because many of those houses will go to people like my son and his partner who were happily living with us until they had the opportunity to purchase their own house.
       • tsmithfield 4.1.1.1

         5 February 2022 at 9:41 am

         I think part of the solution to the rent crisis is for the government to make it easier for people to become landlords. This may incentivise people to start renting out some of the unoccupied 200000 ghost houses in New Zealand:

         https://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/homed/119636091/200k-empty-ghost-houses-why-and-what-would-get-them-into-the-market

         This would increase rental supply and should then help reduce the pressure on rents.

         Another thing I would like to see happen is more "build to rent" projects.

         https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/opinion-analysis/300493235/could-buildtorent-be-our-solution-to-housing-affordability

         It is likely that many will never be able to afford to purchase their own home given the high price of houses and the difficulty of saving for a deposit, especially when people are already having to pay for rent, and raise families.

         The build to rent solution would give people the same certainty of home ownership, and allow them to live in the same house for years, thus effectively making it their own at hopefully a lower cost than funding a mortgage.
         • Blazer 4.1.1.1.1

           5 February 2022 at 9:53 am

           I am guessing we can add another 9 empty houses to the existing 40,000 in Auckland!-all done in the…best possible..taste!

           A stamp duty would kill this .

           'Lockdown project': NZ's richest man Graeme Hart starts on Auckland house-buying spree – NZ Herald
           • Sabine 4.1.1.1.1.1

             5 February 2022 at 10:47 am

             well i guess no one is scrutinizing his spending on coffee and pies.
             • Blazer …

               5 February 2022 at 11:16 am

               that would be…Hartless'.

               The new C redit Contract requirements are being used as a red herring by the banks,mortgage brokers especially and RE agents to blame the Govt for

               something that is common sense.

               The new requirements should destroy the usery/used car market in low socio economic areas.
           • Patricia Bremner 4.1.1.1.1.2

             5 February 2022 at 8:23 pm

             Currently Auckland 540000 homes of which 7% aprox empty = 20412*

             That is likely to be a mix of, empty to sell, empty to let, empty to renovate, empty for a holiday period etc. Length of time empty is not caught by a census.
             • Blazer …

               5 February 2022 at 9:54 pm

               Don't know the source of your info.Way understated.

               Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is not convinced by "ghost home" concerns despite Census data from 2018 showing nearly 40,000 vacant houses in Auckland'

               By tracking power and water use it is easy to ascertain.
         • Bearded Git 4.1.1.1.2

           5 February 2022 at 10:59 am

           More state housing would help, which this government has done.

           Key and English sold off or demolished state houses while pretending not to. I'm sure 7-houses will do the same if he gets elected.
           • tsmithfield 4.1.1.1.2.1

             5 February 2022 at 12:04 pm

             I agree with state housing. One of the problems is that it tends to be focussed on immediate need. So, people may be moved on if they don't need a property of a particular size anymore.

             I do like the idea of the "build to rent" concept.

             One of the problems with renting in NZ is that people can be forced to move quite frequently. I think this is very destabilising for families and children. It can mean them having to constantly move to new schools and find new friends. And families have to continually establish new social networks.

             With the "build to rent" concept, a family might be able to live in the same house for as long as they want; even perhaps ten years or longer.

             That would lead to a lot more stability in people's lives and make it a lot better for children who wouldn't be constantly shifted around.

             I know my wife found that lifestyle hard. Her father was in broadcasting and they often moved around the country with his job and she found that very unsettling.
             • Patricia Bremner …

               5 February 2022 at 8:25 pm

               Moving people on makes housing tenuous and loses the main benefit of stability.
         • Anker 4.1.1.1.3

           5 February 2022 at 11:05 am

           • Chris Trotter posted an interesting article on his blog site about Chinese kitset houses, that cost around $10,000 and could be imported and constructed at great speed (remember the Wuhan hospital constructed in days at the start of the pandemic. Seize a golf course or two in the big cities and build like the Chinese. Chris talks about getting a guarantee on quality from the Chinese Govt, but if this proves to delay things, I would do it anyway. How much are we paying for motel units that we don’t even own? Even if these houses only last for ten years, that would give us a chance to build better houses while people are accommodated

           having promised 100,00o houses while in opposition ( how come they didn’t know this scheme wouldn’t work, it should have been thoroughly researched). Labour have failed massively on housing. Young people who carry the burden of this failure will only continue to vote for them, if they have the equivalent of Stockholm syndrome
           • ghostwhowalksnz 4.1.1.1.3.1

             5 February 2022 at 5:22 pm

             Was being done at Te Kauwhata with Japanese kitsets from Pansonic a few years back.

             Dont know why we havent heard more since- this seems to be just a rehash

             https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/nzs-newest-house-builder-japanese-giant-panasonic-homes-joins-mike-greer/7CRP3FJH6IFBNHLEO4OL6UUV34/
         • Anker 4.1.1.1.4

           5 February 2022 at 11:07 am

           • Chris Trotter posted an interesting article on his blog site about Chinese kitset houses, that cost around $10,000 and could be imported and constructed at great speed (remember the Wuhan hospital constructed in days at the start of the pandemic. Seize a golf course or two in the big cities and build like the Chinese. Chris talks about getting a guarantee on quality from the Chinese Govt, but if this proves to delay things, I would do it anyway. How much are we paying for motel units that we don’t even own? Even if these houses only last for ten years, that would give us a chance to build better houses while people are accommodated

           having promised 100,00o houses while in opposition ( how come they didn’t know this scheme wouldn’t work? It should have been thoroughly researched). Labour have failed massively on housing. Young people who carry the burden of this failure will only continue to vote for them, if they have the equivalent of Stockholm syndrome
       • Blazer 4.1.1.2

         5 February 2022 at 11:22 am

         Regarding supply and demand.

         If there is demand and limited stock,just like a game of monopoly or poker the person with the biggest bank…wins.

         They keep outbidding those with le$$ fund$…that's how the game is…played!
       • alwyn 4.1.1.3

         5 February 2022 at 2:52 pm

         "But what Poto correctly recognised was that it wouldn't solve the problem straight away."

         Well isn't that just fine. Did Poto realise as well that it is her Government that has caused the problem and if they go on the same way it is never going to get any better? Or did she say it was an "unintended consequence" rather than admit that it was an entirely predictable consequence of their actions?

         I wonder if she is like most of the Labour MPs who owns their home and is doing very nicely out of the rising value?

         Yep. A home in Christchurch, a residence in Wellington and some blocks of land in the Cook Islands according to the Return of Pecuniary assets.
         • mac1 4.1.1.3.1

           5 February 2022 at 3:15 pm

           Here's the complete list of property owners as published in 2020 prior to the election. 'https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2020/08/the-number-of-properties-owned-by-new-zealand-mps-revealed.html

           An MP owns a family home. Well, 2/3 kiwis do. 250,000 Kiwis own one or two investment properties. MPs are required to live in Wellington as part of the job as they work there. It makes sense to buy one's residence in Wellington as rent money is dead money, while paying off a residence in the capital makes sense, especially when a rental does not provide security of tenure, or may involve issues of privacy etc.

           Poto Williams comes from the northern Cook Islands. I am sure she has an interest in ancestral land there.

           MPs tend to be older citizens, and therefore age and income would indicate higher rates of home ownership.

           The question, though, is whether MPs allow their personal ownership interests to influence their decisions as MPs.

           Are you implying they do, alwyn?
           • gsays 4.1.1.3.1.1

             5 February 2022 at 5:10 pm

             "The question, though, is whether MPs allow their personal ownership interests to influence their decisions as MPs."

             Grayling's Law states: "Anything that can be done will be done if it brings advantage or profit to those who can do it."

             The corollary is "What can be done will not be done if it brings costs, economic or otherwise, to those who can stop it."

             Looking at that, plus the lack of evidence of change (the accommodation supplement is still transferring wealth to landlords), then I would answer yes to your question.
             • Blazer …

               5 February 2022 at 5:18 pm

               I would concur with you…I see the baseline pay for Congress persons in the U.S is around $170,000….yet they are all millionaires afaik.
               • gsays …

                 5 February 2022 at 6:41 pm

                 The US politicians would place more value in their influence than their paychecks.
             • mac1 …

               5 February 2022 at 6:12 pm

               Hmm. Not heard of Anthony Grayling, so I've briefly looked at a couple of articles, one from him and another of his recent appearance on RNZ.

               Rather pessimistic but he does say to keep working on change.

               His final comment was about the same as Blade's citing of the Carole King song "It's too late".

               There is a paradox here that I will have to leave to the philosophers amongst us.

               Grayling says in essence that we will act to our advantage and not act to our disadvantage? Yet, if by doing this it brings about the end as he foresees where a super artificial intelligence decides to end humanity's time on this earth as being too dangerous for the earth, then surely the ones who make the decisions will see that acting as we do now for personal advantage is not actually to our advantage but the contrary. That's the paradox, I see.

               But I got raised on literature, not on philosophy.This is all new.

               I'd say that a good number of our politicians do recognise that acting out of self interest is not actually in our society's best interets.

               Altruism does exist. Some people understand that poverty, division, all the '-isms' do impact negatively and act accordingly.

               Harkening back to my Uni English course and the social thinker John Ruskinwho wrote Unto This Last, I remember him saying there was a class of people who acted outside their class interest. He seemed then to be a proto-socialist as I described him in a tutorial.

               I would welcome some discussion of this.

               The alternative seems to be to sink into a view of the world best enunciated by the Scottish philosopher, Private Fraser, in Dad's Army.

               "We're all doomed!"
               • Blazer …

                 5 February 2022 at 6:24 pm

                 'altruism does exist. '…pleased to hear that…any examples?
                 • mac1 …

                   5 February 2022 at 6:44 pm

                   Food kitchens.

                   Charity. Donations. Gifts.

                   Being Father Xmas at a children's party.

                   Coin into beggar's bowls.

                   "Have one on me."

                   From that to hospital ships and foreign aid.

                   Now back to my altruistic cooking of a meal for self and a significant other.

                   And yes, in all these examples some self reward occurs……. but it's not the sole motivation. Unless you want to argue that altruism is actually a self centred form of self virtue signalling.
                   • Blazer …

                     5 February 2022 at 7:00 pm

                     Accept what you say there..I was meaning altruism at a more 'powerful' level…not community bonhomie.
               • gsays …

                 5 February 2022 at 6:39 pm

                 I agree, he does seem a little grim, but tapping into a darker side of human nature.

                 I figure the crux of this is entering parliament with a lot of ideas and ideals. Then the rubber hits the road and the realities and the party line hold more sway than the constituents that are supposed to be represented.

                 ISTR having an exchange with you in the past and my cynicism of pollies was revealed then…
           • alwyn 4.1.1.3.1.2

             5 February 2022 at 7:15 pm

             “Are you implying they do, alwyn?”

             No I am not. There have been very few even marginally unethical examples of behaviour by New Zealand MPs.

             However I am sure that you would find that most of our MPs would be pleased that their house was worth much more than it was when they bought it, rather than, if they are a Government MP, being ashamed at the damage their parties policies may be doing to the people of New Zealand when house prices go up.

             They would, like most people in New Zealand tend to think that the increase was due to their cleverness in selecting the property to buy rather than to the foolishness of the policies their party has actioned.
             • Blazer …

               5 February 2022 at 7:25 pm

               'There have been very few even marginally unethical examples of behaviour by New Zealand MPs.'…comedy gold!
               • alwyn …

                 5 February 2022 at 8:23 pm

                 I was making that statement in the sense that I took Mac1 to have meant it.

                 That was of MPs making decisions and voting in a manner that would be financially advantageous to themselves, or making use on insider information to make money for themselves at the cost of the public of New Zealand..

                 It does not mean that they wouldn't lie in order to give them political advantage, or political advancement. That is simply a given. I am, in general, a believer in that old political maxim. "How do you tell if a politician is lying?". "They have their mouth open".
                 • Stuart Munro …

                   5 February 2022 at 9:31 pm

                   The Christchurch rebuild, Key's involvement in Elders IXL, the rollover of slave fishing, Kinloch…

                   The list goes on and on. A vigorous prosecution service like Korea's could make a full time job of dealing with NZ MPs who invariably put personal advantage over the public interest, the shameless wretches.
     • Jester 4.1.2

       5 February 2022 at 9:52 am

       "You say that landlords simply pass the cost of this to the tenant but that is not how the rental market works. Its supply and demand."

       I agree re: supply and demand, but because there is a shortage of supply at the moment and for for seeable future, that is exactly what happens. Rents are expected to increase significantly this year and landlords with their one rent increase a year need to cover the extra interest cost to them (and they are). And due to the shortage of supply of rentals the poor tenant pretty much ends up paying it.
     • Gypsy 4.1.3

       5 February 2022 at 12:46 pm

       "Making interest non-deductable on rental house loans is one of the best things this government has done."
       No it was batshit crazy, and is just one of a list of interventions in the market that have pushed rents up.

       "You say that landlords simply pass the cost of this to the tenant but that is not how the rental market works. Its supply and demand."
       That is precisely how the rental market works! At the moment it is easy for landlords to pass these costs on. Do you seriously think every landlord is going to accept all of the increased costs being imposed on them by this government without passing those on?
       • Bearded Git 4.1.3.1

         6 February 2022 at 9:57 am

         You are sounding like a landlord there Gypsy. Am I right?

         The removal of interest rate deductibility and the bright line test extension have been 2 excellent things done by this government to shift investment away from housing and towards more productive uses.
         • Gypsy 4.1.3.1.1

           6 February 2022 at 11:03 am

           I've stated previously I am a landlord. As for whether or not investment will shift away from housing:

           1. It may not. There is a shortage of rental properties, and landlords just put the rents up and the investment remains attractive.
           2. If it does, the excess of demand over supply will increase and further drive up rents.

           As long as this government is in power, I will not divest of property. The increase in property values and potential rental incomes is just too attractive.
   • Shanreagh 4.2

     5 February 2022 at 11:19 am

     Thanks for the analysis T C Smithfield. Always welcome with lots of links. Hope it stimulates some debate.
5. Blazer 5

   5 February 2022 at 8:20 am

   How to peel boiled eggs perfectly…every time.

   Gently tap the biggest end of the raw egg on a hard surface till it cracks….there is an air pocket in this part.

   Then boil as per usual.

   You will be amazed at how easy they peel.

   Don't mention it!
   • Robert Guyton 5.1

     5 February 2022 at 8:21 am

     Eggcellent tip!
   • Sabine 5.2

     5 February 2022 at 8:50 am

     There is a tool called an egg piercer, something everyone should have in their toolkit.

     https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egg_piercer
     • Blazer 5.2.1

       5 February 2022 at 8:54 am

       OMG…eggstacy.!
       • Sabine 5.2.1.1

         5 February 2022 at 10:50 am

         and if you have kids, fun thing for easter. Prick a hole in both ends of the eggs, a bit of a larger ones, and then blow the egg out of the shell. – make scrambled eggs.

         insert a wee stick/matchstick on a string, paint the egg prettily and hang it on some green branches, voila a nice easter decoration.

         no need to buy plastic shit, and a good rainy day activity and scrambled eggs, or cake.

         https://www.pinterest.nz/pin/86342517837244684/
         • Robert Guyton 5.2.1.1.1

           5 February 2022 at 3:52 pm

           "paint the egg prettily"

           Elegant phraseology, Sabine!

           Love it!
   • Puckish Rogue 5.3

     5 February 2022 at 5:08 pm

     I'll try this out next time I boil some eggs
     • Blazer 5.3.1

       5 February 2022 at 5:15 pm

       It works.

       Also I find the best way to boil eggs is to boil the water first..then turn the heat off…then add and leave the eggs for 10-12 minutes..depending on soft/hard preference.-enjoy!
   • weka 5.4

     5 February 2022 at 7:29 pm

     does it make the pot harder to clean though? (because white leaks out into the water).
     • Blazer 5.4.1

       5 February 2022 at 7:35 pm

       Haven't noticed that.
6. Robert Guyton 6

   5 February 2022 at 8:39 am

   He waka eke noa, farming's representative group tasked with solving the problem of agricultural greenhouse gases, propose that farmers plant a few trees in order to avoid paying for their emissions. It sounds preposterous. A roadshow around the country is underway now, to connect with farmers and bring councils on board with the proposals. I hope this issue gets taken up here on TS and diced and spliced til the reality of the proposals are revealed. Here is the most recent article on the issue. It's quite comprehensive.

   "https://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/climate-news/127690438/shelter-belts-could-slash-annual-farm-emissions-bill-under-industrydesigned-scheme"
   For starters:
   “A farming-led body is designing a method to measure and price methane and nitrous oxide emissions, to avoid the agriculture sector being put into the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS).

   Using the standard settings in a consultation document, a farm producing 500 tonnes of emissions could face an annual pollution bill of $2125 in 2025. Yet by planting native trees absorbing just 25 tonnes, it wouldn’t have to pay a cent. With vegetation sucking 50 tonnes per year, it could bank a thousand-dollar credit.”

   Those trees that are claimed to be “absorbing 25 tonnes” will begin, as trees are won’t to do, tiny. As seedlings/saplings, they’ll be absorbing only minor amounts of CO2. It will take years before the “25 tonne” target is reached. What, I wonder, does He waka eke not propose we do while we wait?
   • Blazer 6.1

     5 February 2022 at 4:18 pm

     Everytime I see the wonderful Sir David Attenborough on T.V, I think to myself TVNZ should have you fronting a programme on the flora and fauna of NZ Robert.
     • Robert Guyton 6.1.1

       5 February 2022 at 4:36 pm

       Ha!

       I'm the shadow of the shadow of Mr Attenborough.

       But I'd give it a shot 🙂
7. Stephen D 7

   5 February 2022 at 9:21 am

   The quote is from an article about Portugal, but the ideas hold for almost any democracy.

   https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/feb/02/portugals-socialists-big-victory-far-right-threat?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

   ”It’s an age-old lesson, really. Any oxygen given to the far right is dangerous. The normalisation of a far-right discourse through national television, daily newspapers and by the commentariat, even if for the sake of contradicting talking points, often only serves to lend momentum. In a country that nearly 50 years ago stamped the far right out of power, it is particularly chastening and disturbing to see its modern-day equivalents return to the São Bento palace, where parliament sits. For all the sweet relief that the Socialist party may be feeling, the rise of Chega is a reminder that complacency is never an option.”
   • Foreign waka 7.1

     5 February 2022 at 10:33 am

     Up to: "lend momentum" it could have described any government whether right or left. Once any government believes that they have a mandate to dictate to their constituency what to think and vote for, the road to dictatorship of any hue is paved.
8. Dennis Frank 8

   5 February 2022 at 9:37 am

   For Myanmar's citizens, it has been a year of indiscriminate street killings and bloody village raids. Most recently in December 2021, a BBC investigation discovered the Tatmadaw carried out a series of attacks that involved the torture and mass murder of opponents.

   More than 1,500 people have been killed by security forces since the coup in February 2021, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma).

   But how did the Tatmadaw become so powerful and why is it so brutal?

   https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-56660483

   Addressing that question, Nick Marsh and BBC Burmese provide an illuminating capsule history.

   For centuries the Burmese monarchy had a standing army, but it was disbanded under British rule.

   The Tatmadaw's roots can be traced back to the Burma Independence Army (BIA), which was founded in 1941 by a group of revolutionaries that included Aung San, regarded by many Burmese as the spiritual "Father of the Nation". He was Aung San Suu Kyi's father.

   Aung San was assassinated shortly before Burma gained independence from Britain in 1948. But before his death, the BIA had already started to join with other militias to form a national armed force. After independence, it would eventually form what we know today as the Tatmadaw. By 1962, it had seized control of the country in a coup and would rule virtually unopposed for the next 50 years… Myanmar is made up of more than 130 different ethnic groups, with Buddhist Bamars the majority.

   Bamars also make up most of the country’s elite – and experts say the army sees itself as the elite of this elite.
9. Jester 9

   5 February 2022 at 10:00 am

   What a great example of how low humans can go. Melissa Herewini you are an oxygen thief.

   Child, 2, dies after Rotorua driveway accident, family member steals from doctor trying to save child's life – NZ Herald
   • mary_a 9.1

     5 February 2022 at 12:12 pm

     @ Jester (9) An absolutely appalling shameful act.
10. Anne 10

    5 February 2022 at 10:09 am

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/a-terrible-thing-hapu-decry-attack-on-russells-historic-flagpole/SLCUS262GKMGTKAM62DVJ3EH3M/

    Anti-Maori conspiracy loving extreme right wing white man or white men of very low intelligence?
    • Blade 10.1

      5 February 2022 at 12:11 pm

      Don't jump to conclusions.

      Feral Maori /nga wanting to start something? The spelling and the graffiti look suss.

      Of course, that's just another guess.
      • Muttonbird 10.1.1

        5 February 2022 at 12:56 pm

        Tell you what, I'll take a day off tomorrow.

        – Blade, 4 February 2022
        • Robert Guyton 10.1.1.1

          5 February 2022 at 12:58 pm

          Tell you what,
          Something’s stirred his pot.
        • Blade 10.1.1.2

          5 February 2022 at 1:13 pm

          I lied. The bait was too good. Don't worry, I will leave you alone.
          • Muttonbird 10.1.1.2.1

            5 February 2022 at 1:19 pm

            I lied.

            Yep, zero integrity, as far as I can see.
            • Blade 10.1.1.2.1.1

              5 February 2022 at 1:33 pm

              Typical Lefty…you left out the context. The bait turned me into a liar.
              • Blade …

                5 February 2022 at 1:36 pm

                Opps- Lie No2.
            • Robert Guyton 10.1.1.2.1.2

              5 February 2022 at 3:37 pm

              Changed his mind – "no one should be held to their word" – John Key, since forever.
              • Blade …

                5 February 2022 at 3:49 pm

                Robert, haven't you got Trichoderma to spray around your place?
                • Robert Guyton …

                  5 February 2022 at 3:55 pm

                  Spray?

                  That's your modus operandi, Blade.

                  Then walk away.
                  • Blade …

                    5 February 2022 at 10:40 pm

                    People who post comments to me set the tone for our exchange. I treat people how they treat me. You deserve all you get. Of course if you change your attitude I will change too.

                    Don't forget you start things. I rarely engage you first. That's because there's nothing to engage.
      • Shanreagh 10.1.2

        5 February 2022 at 1:01 pm

        The graffiti certainly (tagging) does not look like anything other than a stupid tagger. They go into graveyards and desecrate them pushing over gravestones or painting Nazi symbols. I think police have said the paint on the tag is the same as the paint on the flagpole

        I'd have a look for a group of swaggerers with their hats on back to front, trousers at half mast, saying 'yo' and doing strange finger gestures…….one of them I am sure will be anti vax or have got the flagpole history thing wrong.

        How's that for a good bit of stereotyping?
        • Blade 10.1.2.1

          5 February 2022 at 1:15 pm

          You are coming along well. When in doubt…always go to the stats.
          • Shanreagh 10.1.2.1.1

            5 February 2022 at 1:35 pm

            Yes learnt all about 'naughty' stereotyping when doing Criminology. Out one night on course-compulsory patrols with police and saw some people who looked suspect, waited and cop pulls over. After we talk about stereotypes, all the theory about how it is, and it can be bad. No question. . He wisely says 'stereotypes are not as useful as being suspicious of someone being in the wrong place at the wrong time'

            Later the same evening I draw attention to a young guy who seems to be just lurking and who we have passed a couple of times on the patrols…….cop pulls over, asks what he is doing, where he is going?. No rational answer……finds tools for burglary. Go back to station, his record is printed out and honestly it is one of those old dot matrix printers and it clicked and clacked pages and pages came out folding onto a heap on the floor.

            Cop says 'Well you have been a bad boy haven't you?".

            The tag will be photgraphed and compared to 1000s they have on file.
            • Blade 10.1.2.1.1.1

              5 February 2022 at 1:45 pm

              Criminology?

              Sounds interesting. University course. Police course?

              The first rule of a professional burglar I knew was always have a story about what you are doing and where you are going. And have that story backed up. It only fails if you are caught putting a big screen TV into a car at three in the morning.
              • Shanreagh …

                5 February 2022 at 3:42 pm

                University.

                Also from prof burglars via Police, they secure their exits before getting down to the business of burglarising. Often when your place has been burgled you might come home and find front door open and back door as well, or a window or just the back door. If just the back door is open this means they have been able to come and go as they had planned out the front door etc.
      • Anne 10.1.3

        5 February 2022 at 8:49 pm

        You could be right Blade. If and when the police catch the blighters we will know.
    • Higherstandard 10.2

      5 February 2022 at 5:45 pm

      I thought you were a female retiree from the northshore ?
11. Patricia Bremner 11

    5 February 2022 at 10:13 am

    That poor family. How harrowing for the mother to have lost a child and have a relative be so callous. Sad sad. It appears alcohol is the basis of the problem. Addiction changes perceptions and behaviours. Let us hope the year of supervision helps with that.
12. Dennis Frank 12

    5 February 2022 at 10:56 am

    Once upon a time universities were considered bastions of free speech. No longer.

    Two high-profile University of Auckland academics raised important questions about academic freedom with their complaint to the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) that their employer had failed its duty of care to them.

    Associate Professor Siouxsie Wiles and Professor Shaun Hendy have become well known for their work explaining the science behind COVID-19 and guiding the public and government response. But not everyone has agreed with that response or valued their contribution, and the academics have been threatened by what they have called “a small but venomous sector of the public”.

    So the U of A advised them to keep quiet instead. University experts ought to wear a muzzle to remind them not to venture expert opinions.

    My focus is on the initial determination by the ERA, which referred to a letter from the university to Wiles and Hendy in August 2021 that urged them “to keep their public commentary to a minimum and suggested they take paid leave to enable them ‘to minimise any social media comments at present’.”

    According to the ERA, this advice was “apparently given after [the university] received recommendations from its legal advisors to amend its policies so as to ‘not require’ its employees to provide public commentary, in order to limit its potential liability for online harassment.”

    The ERA also noted the university “says that the applicants are not ‘expected’ or required to provide public commentary on COVID-19 as part of their employment or roles with the respondent, but it acknowledges they are entitled to do so.”

    This issue is central to my concerns about academic freedom.

    The writer is Jack Heinemann, Professor of Molecular Biology and Genetics, University of Canterbury.

    The academics argued that the university is statutorily required to “accept a role as critic and conscience of society” – as is set out under section 268 of the Education and Training Act 2020.

    Universities routinely fulfil this role when academic staff and students state controversial or unpopular opinions and the results of their independent scholarship. Asking academics to step back from those roles to avoid risk seems to acknowledge that the threat derives from them doing their work.

    Seems straightforward enough, eh? So the university authorities must perform a delicate sidestep to avoid their moral obligations.

    The Auckland academics are not the first to receive threats because of their “critic and conscience” activities. In the US, my former boss Dr Anthony Fauci says he, too, has received death threats from members of the public because of his work on the pandemic.

    Less visible but still damaging threats or derogatory comments can come from within the university community, too. Systemic discrimination based on gender and race is well documented in academia.

    A coalition of government, universities, unions, staff and students needs to work together to redefine what can be done.

    Damn good idea, I reckon! Whether anyone will make it happen is another question entirely. Most people with get up & go in Aotearoa got up & went (overseas).

    https://theconversation.com/what-does-academic-freedom-mean-in-practice-why-the-siouxsie-wiles-and-shaun-hendy-employment-case-matters-174695
    • Sabine 12.1

      5 February 2022 at 12:40 pm

      Once upon a time Universities also encouraged critical thinking and that is now a reason for 'cancellation' if the thinking is deemed ' offensive' or 'hate crimey'.
    • alwyn 12.2

      5 February 2022 at 3:07 pm

      I might have a bit more sympathy for these two if they hadn't led the charge to silence (or was it sack) the other academics who dared to proffer the view that "traditional Maori knowledge" wasn't science and shouldn't be taught as part of the Science curriculum.

      https://www.stuff.co.nz/pou-tiaki/300368356/university-academics-claim-that-mtauranga-mori-is-not-science-sparks-controversy
      • swordfish 12.2.1

        5 February 2022 at 5:29 pm

        Yep … their blatant double-standards & sense of self-entitlement are staggering.
        • Anker 12.2.1.1

          5 February 2022 at 10:54 pm

          100% agree Swordfish.

          I thought the letter from the seven academics was quite respectful and one of them is Maori I understand.
    • Foreign waka 12.3

      5 February 2022 at 4:03 pm

      The rot set in some 33 years ago when the education reforms were introduced and with that a business model. When you work under a business model you have to toe the line. I spoke to some lecturers at the time and they were very concerned that freedom of speech and true research not "colored by the "employer" agenda will suffer. The reforms were introduced by the then labor government, with the "Rogernomics" agenda being put firmly in place. Labor was at the time in power since 1984 and these, you could say neoliberal reforms damaged the cohesiveness of the general population and economy considerable. It took years to recover from the shock NZlanders experienced.
      Just to give some background as to the why, how and when.

      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fourth_Labour_Government_of_New_Zealand
    • Peter 12.4

      5 February 2022 at 5:55 pm

      The problem is the backlash from ignorant arseholes at any utterance from some uni expert … and the media precipitating that. Some expert gives and opinion, gently formed and expressed becomes "Expert slams …," next it's big on cretintalkbackzb. Their life would be spent in the mire of attendant bullshit.

      It's easier to say nothing. Anyway as the coronavirus orgy has shown us, there are more people in places like this and Kiwiblog who know more that the experts.
13. Blade 13

    5 February 2022 at 1:09 pm

    They say rubbish truck operators can always tell the mood of an economy by the rubbish consumers discard. Whether that's true or not, I'm not sure, but it's obvious by the stacks of empty alcohol bottles put out on collection day that we are a nation of pissheads.

    For me, the supermarket is the place I use to gauge our economy. And weird things are starting to happen at my local supermarket.

    The empty shelves are still roughly of similar number to a few weeks ago. What's new is signs popping up all over the place reading:

    1- Dear customer. Due to shortages…

    2- Dear customer. Due to increased demand…

    I found the juxtaposition between the signs unusual especially when some products have both signs rotated depending on the retail situation.

    Baby formula for example.

    Today, however, I witnessed something unwelcome. I watched a trolley with 4 tiers filled with meat packs being pushed towards a back room. Just to confirm my suspicions I played ignorant and asked the girl what was happening to the meat in the trolley

    ''It's going in the 'pig bin,' '' she replied.

    Allied to that was numerous trays of meat that had " Quick Sale'' stickers on them.

    So it looks like meat is telling us something about our economy. At my supermarket, a medium tray of mince costs $16.

    Didn't mince used to be a cheap source of meat for poor and middle class folk?

    Veganism anyone?

    =
    • Sabine 13.1

      5 February 2022 at 1:16 pm

      Vegan Food is neither cheap nor easy to cook. Again, meat was / is popular because it was a. affordable and b. easy to fix. And i eat a lot of vegetarian food, and bake for a lot of vegetarians/vegans – specifically the Indian community.

      And what is lacking is the ability to buy meat at the open counter by the gram. I.e. a plate of spags for a family of 4 need not more then 200 – 250 grm of meat. The rest can be bulked with onions, zuchini, and a tin of cheap tomatoes. But sadly one can only get trays of 500+ grm to buy. But for the really poor on a budget that 500 grm will take out to much money for the budget and needs to be processed immediately, lest it spoils.

      And i would also venture a guess that the Mad butcher is doing good business and that people that used to shop at New World/Countdown now may actually get their meat and sausages from there.
      • Blade 13.1.1

        5 February 2022 at 1:29 pm

        You have just reminded me of a vegan product that was plant based and tasted like chicken. I think the company was called ''Sunrise.'' They were ages bringing the product to market…and when they did it cost $12 for six miserable pieces of fake chicken.

        ''And what is lacking is the ability to buy meat at the open counter by the gram.''

        That's a biggy. When a sole owner butcher shop I frequented closed, it was a shock when I had to buy meat from the supermarket.
      • Blazer 13.1.2

        5 February 2022 at 2:05 pm

        Surprised the Mad Butcher is still in business.

        Most of the franchisees struggled to make a living.

        The chain was floated on the sharemarket for circa $40million,andbought back by the

        biggest shareholder for around $8million
    • Foreign waka 13.2

      5 February 2022 at 4:11 pm

      You mean the "gold section" of the supermarket? Mince is usually the cheapest meat as all sorts goes in there and you cannot identify what. I looked at the cheapest beef cut the other day, $ 20 per KG. Veges are not much cheaper. Half a cauliflower is $3.00 – in season. Frozen vege freezer is almost empty on most days. But we can buy plenty of Coca Cola!
      • Blazer 13.2.1

        5 February 2022 at 4:15 pm

        Try Hellers pre cooked sausages often $9-(10.90 rp) 1 kilo pack…15 sausages-70% meat.GF.
    • Peter 13.3

      5 February 2022 at 5:48 pm

      And does that looks like meat is telling us that supermarkets would rather throw it in the pig bin than put it at super cheap prices and have me buy it?
      • Blade 13.3.1

        5 February 2022 at 6:58 pm

        Yes, what a waste when it could go to a good cause.
      • Belladonna 13.3.2

        6 February 2022 at 2:03 pm

        Don't know about your supermarket, but all of the 3 that I shop from locally in Auckland (2 equidistant from home – 1 (PakNSave) the cheapest, about 10 minutes further), regularly mark down meat that is due to pass the Best Before Date the next day.

        Still happening even during Covid. Supermarkets would rather get 'something' than nothing.

        The local bread chain (Bakers Delight) doesn't mark down. But does supply all of their unsold stock to food banks.
    • mauī 13.4

      5 February 2022 at 6:32 pm

      Interesting insight, they also say you can tell the health of the nation by peering into the collective toilet bowl.
      • Blade 13.4.1

        5 February 2022 at 6:47 pm

        Tell me more?
        • mauī 13.4.1.1

          5 February 2022 at 7:42 pm

          Actually if I remember correctly I got this from the wonderful man, Tim Lynch radio host.
14. Blade 14

    5 February 2022 at 2:34 pm

    ISIS leader Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi has been tapped. Apparently no one in the house surrendered. That would include women.

    It's a given the West will receive payback.

    I also believe revenge will be taken out on NZ for the Christchurch massacre.

    Thankfully terrorism hasn't increased during Covid.

    https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/2/3/biden-raid-in-syria-has-taken-isis-leader-off-the-battlefield
    • Blazer 14.1

      5 February 2022 at 4:06 pm

      Russian flotilla pops into Syria…

      Flotilla Of Russian Landing Ships Is Now In Syria Weeks After Deploying From The Baltic Sea (thedrive.com)
15. Adrian 15

    5 February 2022 at 3:23 pm

    That’s an unusual assumption Blade given that the Arsehole from Australia who killed 54 Muslims came out of the same mould as Qurayshi who has been killing Muslims of a different flavour to himself for years. Ignore the religion mould, the general source of too much evil, but its the arsehole mould.
    • Blade 15.1

      5 February 2022 at 4:02 pm

      Yes, but what you have written is the product of rational thought and logical deduction.

      The arsehole class don't see things that way. They have a piece of ribbon to protect at all costs.

      ''A soldier will fight long and hard for a bit of coloured ribbon.

      Napoleon Bonaparte.''
    • Muttonbird 15.2

      5 February 2022 at 5:45 pm

      It's worth repeating both Qurayshi and the Australian are fundamentally ultra conservative.

      Extremist versions of right wing politics all over the world.
      • Blade 15.2.1

        5 February 2022 at 6:55 pm

        That would suit your narrative.

        They could also be considered patriots.

        Religious bigots.

        Bad guys.

        And psychos looking for a cause.

        I'm reading a good book at the moment – Once An Arafat Man. Lefties support Palestine. Should I make something of that?
      • Stuart Munro 15.2.2

        5 February 2022 at 9:41 pm

        I'd suggest the deculturized might be a better description.

        It is not mainstream contemporary Muslims, however conservative, that typically turn terrorist, but those who have lost contact with settled communities of coreligionists.

        So too the Australian assassin is by no means typical of conservative Australian thought, but a disturbed outlier who was not well-settled in his own country.
16. ghostwhowalksnz 16

    5 February 2022 at 5:25 pm

    Wise heads could see this backdown coming from way back…shes anti-vax after all. knock me over with a feather

    Covid 19 Omicron outbreak: Thames-Coromandel mayor Sandra Goudie won't get Novavax jab
    • mauī 16.1

      5 February 2022 at 6:28 pm

      The article states she's anti-mandate, which many would agree with her on. To call her anti vax is clearly a move by some to denigrate her and inflame this whole issue.
      • solkta 16.1.1

        5 February 2022 at 6:45 pm

        Read the article. She said she wouldn't get vaxxed cause she was waiting for Novavax but now won't get that either. Anti-vax is anti-vax.
        • Shanreagh 16.1.1.1

          5 February 2022 at 6:57 pm

          Yes she was anti vax before the mandates were even thought of……then her story was that she was concerned at the mRNA vaccine and would wait for another to be approved. She is plain anti vax and perhaps got another excuse to use instead of being vaccinated.
          • solkta 16.1.1.1.1

            5 February 2022 at 7:01 pm

            and not just any one, this particular one.
        • mauī 16.1.1.2

          5 February 2022 at 7:58 pm

          Using this bizarre logic someone who refuses to take one medication would be called anti-drugs, or a person who refused to eat pork would be called anti-meat.
          • ghostwhowalksnz 16.1.1.2.1

            5 February 2022 at 8:51 pm

            This isnt about dietary choices this is about a Mayor refusing to get vaccinated, she wouldnt do what many mayors are doing as community leaders- support the vaccine rollout in many ways at community events.

            She wouldnt use the tracing app either , again for spurious reasons.

            Fine , if shes anti mandate, anti contact tracing and anti vaxer why doesnt she just come out and say it instead of hiding behind the usual covid deniers cover stories they share ( a new one I saw last week , its not a 'real' vaccine its a biological agent!)
          • solkta 16.1.1.2.2

            5 February 2022 at 9:06 pm

            Read the article. She said she wouldn't get vaxxed cause she was waiting for Novavax but now won't get that either. Anti-vax is anti-vax.
          • Shanreagh 16.1.1.2.3

            6 February 2022 at 10:31 am

            Well one part of what you say is correct. Her actions and utterances are bizarre. Her evasiveness does her no credit at all.
          • Shanreagh 16.1.1.2.4

            6 February 2022 at 10:35 am

            There is a name for this kind of argument Maui, 16.1.1.3, reductio ad absurdum. Done effectively it can be very effective.

            Sorry.
            • mauī 16.1.1.2.4.1

              6 February 2022 at 1:28 pm

              Have you reflected on the absurd part of your argument yet? i.e calling someone an anti-vaxxer who isn't one.
              • Shanreagh …

                6 February 2022 at 5:32 pm

                But what else…..she doesn't want the Pfizer and now that it is here she doesn't want the Novavax. What is she waiting for? Sugar water in a vial called a vaccination?

                What can one call someone who refuses two different types of vaccinations. Is 'selective anti vaxxer' better?

                She is a public figure, her public deserve better really.
      • Robert Guyton 16.1.2

        5 February 2022 at 7:54 pm

        "Goose" would be a more suitable tag.
17. newsense 17

    5 February 2022 at 5:56 pm

    So much energy into trying to float George Osborne and David Cameron in NZ…

    Clifton, ol wassisnsme from kiwi/iwi, evergreen Steven Joyce, Claire Trevett trying to make out that JA is a JK tribute act…

    a lot of excitement over much lower poll numbers than Simon Bridges had

    certainly making ACT a bit nervous they’re about to go bye bye

    It does seem unnecessary and unable to meet challenges, but then so to a large degree has the more third way instincts of this Labour leadership team re housing and climate change and so on…

    inflation a problem? Tax the sector that’s had more than 100% inflation in recent times, that’ll knock it on the head.

    watch the horror as although houses can go up in value by millions, if poor people have their wages increase by cents, shock horror
18. Belladonna 18

    6 February 2022 at 1:56 pm

    Looking at the news articles around the proposed employment insurance scheme.

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/300508815/government-proposes-unemployment-insurance-scheme-funded-by-139-tax?rm=a

    It's difficult to get a complete grip on what it means, since it's a bit of a trial balloon ATM – Labour have indicated that they want to do it, but left the fine details up to be negotiated later.

    Robertson: "The scheme is out for proposal now and could change before being enacted in 2023."

    But this article seems to highlight the things which I was questioning (and wondering if I was alone, in doing so).

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/opinion/300511079/where-are-women-in-the-social-insurance-scheme-on-the-benefit

    Specifically, this seems to be predominantly aimed at M-F 9-5 middle income workers. Who are much more likely to be middle aged, middle class and white. Not, for example, women or people on casual or fluctuating hours contracts, etc.

    Also discussed with the people I work with (private enterprise, largely female workforce, with a significant number on or slightly above minimum wage – [tend to be slightly left of centre politically – though, like most lower-income Aucklanders their biggest priority is living paycheque to paycheque]). All were very concerned over a new 'levy' coming out of their pay – especially in a time of increased inflation. And, foresaw that the employer levy was likely to halt any pay rise coming their way.

    Yes, I know this isn't forecast to be legislated until 2023, and may not come into force until even later – but people make decisions on their situation 'now', rather than projecting into the future.

    I'm really not seeing a groundswell of support for this.

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