Open mike 06/12/2019

Written By: - Date published: 7:00 am, December 6th, 2019 - 112 comments
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112 comments on “Open mike 06/12/2019 ”

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  1. Jimmy 1
    6 December 2019 at 8:57 am

    Yet another driver failing to stop for police with tragic consequences. Lets hope the judge uses the full extent of the law when sentencing him to keep him locked up and off the roads for as long as possible.

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12291153

    • cleangreen 1.1
      6 December 2019 at 11:47 am

      Sad eh; right before Xmas I feel for the family left behind, as much as the father who will never spend time with a loving family. Very sad..

    • gsays 1.2
      6 December 2019 at 12:41 pm

      I agree, the driver and their supervising officer should be in the dock facing charges.

      I lack trust in the evidence the police would bring.

  2. ianmac 2
    6 December 2019 at 9:53 am

    Do we remember when petrol was priced the same no matter where we bought it? A remote country store, a petrol pump and same price as in the city.

    If so, why was it changed?

    • dv 2.1
      6 December 2019 at 10:14 am

      Oddly, last year we found a remote country town has petrol 30c cheaper that the local city price!!!!!

      • cleangreen 2.1.1
        6 December 2019 at 11:51 am

        dv – probably the price to lease land out in the country is cheaper so less overhead cost.

        We saw this effect of lower prices outside the US cities to for the 10 yrs we spent over there,

      • Andre 2.1.2
        6 December 2019 at 12:01 pm

        Yeah, the Gulls at Atiamuri and Te Kuiti are reliably way lower price than just about anywhere else.

    • Jimmy 2.2
      6 December 2019 at 10:29 am

      And why is petrol so expensive in Christchurch (more than Auckland I think) as they do not have the Auckland extra tax?

      • Peter chch 2.2.1
        6 December 2019 at 10:55 am

        I am guessing because higher transport costs from Marsden Point, and maybe higher distribution costs within ChCh.

        Could also be because ChCh has less fuel station chains (eg GAS etc in Auckland maybe undermines the old Big Four cosy cartel) .

        • Andre 2.2.1.1
          6 December 2019 at 11:58 am

          Oddly enough, I was in Christchurch late last week and paid about 10 cents a litre less (for diesel) than when I got back to Dorkland early this week and filled up at Glen Eden Gull (usually near the cheapest around here).

          GAS never seems particularly low-priced here in Orclund, unlike Gull. Whereas the mainland has NPD and Allied which both seemed reliably low-priced. Gull and Waitomo also appear to be starting up down there.

  3. Paaparakauta 3
    6 December 2019 at 10:09 am

    "Apathy towards mainstream politicians has seen support for independent candidates surge by five percentage points, according to a new poll.

    The Savanta ComRes poll for the Telegraph found that six per cent of British adults plan to support aspiring MPs who do not belong to any of the six main parties on December 12.

    The pollster puts support for “other” parties at 6 per cent – higher than the 4 per cent planning to support the SNP, the 3 per cent behind the Brexit Party and the 2 per cent voting for the Greens.

    However, the results may also reflect methodological change .."

    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/12/04/surge-independents-poll-finds-voters-set-boycott-main-parties/

    More from Ashcroft’s Conservative Home ..
    https://www.conservativehome.com/frontpage/2019/12/newslinks-for-thursday-5th-december-2019.html

  4. Paaparakauta 4
    6 December 2019 at 10:20 am

    Tory lead slips to single figures

    .. one week until election day there is still time for public opinion to shift – just as it did away from Theresa May in 2017.

    Labour have been steadily narrowing the gap with the Tories, in-part thanks to a relatively popular manifesto, but continue to suffer from the on-going accusations of anti-Semitism which are plaguing both party and leader.

    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/12/05/general-election-2019-opinion-polls-latest-odds-uk-labour-conservative/?li_source=LI&li_medium=li-recommendation-widget

    • aj 5.1
      6 December 2019 at 10:28 am

      I understand his personal situation to be genuine and I think he did have a case, which is why I offered to speak to his local MP," Faafoi told Newshub

      Mountain, molehill.

    • Jimmy 5.2
      6 December 2019 at 10:30 am

      As long as he just passed it on to the local MP then no problem.

    • observer 5.3
      6 December 2019 at 10:57 am

      From the link: "Text messages obtained by Newshub … "

      Translation: "Jason Kerrison has given Tova O'Brien … "

      There is no other possible source (unless you think Tova can hack into Facebook and phones).

      Honest reporting would be: "Today, in an attempt to manipulate me and you, I was sent these messages, which I will now pass off as an exclusive, as if I had done the investigating myself."

      Being used isn't journalism, it's laziness.

      • Sacha 5.3.1
        6 December 2019 at 11:11 am

        I do not get what would be in it for Kerrison to leak this stuff to the media. Won't help his family's case.

        • observer 5.3.1.1
          6 December 2019 at 11:17 am

          "I'm angry so I'll screw you even if it screws me" is a story as old as history (and Hollywood).

          • Formerly Ross 5.3.1.1.1
            6 December 2019 at 1:13 pm

            Kerrison is his own worst enemy. Faafoi referred his case to Northland MP Matt King who apparently asked Kerrison to contact him. Kerrison apparently never did.

            • cleangreen 5.3.1.1.1.1
              6 December 2019 at 2:33 pm

              Thanks Formerly Ross

              So Matt King was going to assist too was he just???

              Very interesting, so the plot thickens eh?

              We wonder if tonight on Newshub Tova OBrien is 'chirping' about National MP's wanting to assist Jason Kerriston as well??

              Not likely as she is anti labour isn't she?

        • mauī 5.3.1.2
          6 December 2019 at 5:34 pm

          Remember this is the guy who built a bunker in 2012 to prepare for the end of the world…

          • Sacha 5.3.1.2.1
            6 December 2019 at 5:48 pm

            Yeah I had forgotten all about that weirdness. His is not a style of music that resonates with me so seeing his name pop up during the local elections was a surprise.

      • Jimmy 5.3.2
        6 December 2019 at 11:30 am

        I don't think Jason Kerrison will be getting a Christmas card from Kris this year.

        • cleangreen 5.3.2.1
          6 December 2019 at 12:14 pm

          My son did have the same problems with immigration as Jason had early last year.

          Where my son had met a German lady while over there in Germany for a wedding.

          His girlfriend later came to NZ after my son returned home to NZ and my son and her approached immigration and requested a work permit for her as she had university certification to show high work value skills for NZ.

          Shockingly she was roughly told by the immigration officials "don't bother to send in an application as we will not look at it" !!!!

          So as parents both my wife and I arranged to meet with our local MP Stuart Nash and explained the situation that as disabled older folks we needed my son here to care for us.

          Stuart Nash said he can't help but would allow his staff to contact the Immigration department to see what they can do, and it never came to anything,

          So we lost our son who was a fully licenceed Master Electrician when he went back to Germany to live with his fiance.

          Nothing now makes any sense to us when you see the Government is prepared to break up even NZ born families now.

          • greywarshark 5.3.2.1.1
            6 December 2019 at 12:55 pm

            So much for the free market when it applies to NZ people who genuinely would like to access its cross-border benefits.

            • cleangreen 5.3.2.1.1.1
              6 December 2019 at 2:03 pm

              Agreed GWS

              It was bad for my son it be treated that way as my Wife and I remember when our Son told us what Immigration NZ said that they would ignore any application for his Fiance to get a work permit he was very angry.

              As he had worked very hard to get his full registration/licence to become a fully fledged Master Electrician he was despondent with legitimate reasons.

              Considering almost any other country would welcome a skilled tradesman into their country but not his own with the wife of his choice.

          • OnceWasTim 5.3.2.1.2
            6 December 2019 at 4:48 pm

            Rest assured @ Cleangreen, our Immigration policy is based on "best practice" (/sarc) – which is pretty much code for not very much of it makes any sense.

            I've given up having any sympathy for any of the 'officials ' that have, and continue to make fuckup after fuckup (as a matter of record), AND for ministers/associate minister that refuse to undertake radical reform of the cistern.

            Ministers are going to continue to be let down by their "officials", and NZers and immigration applicants are going to continue to be let down by the cistern until they do.

            More fool them though eh! As far as I know, masochism and flagellation is legal. Not as though the whole issue of immigration policy could be the tipping point of an election given an opposition wanting to use any dirty trick at their disposal.

            Shudda Cudda Wudda

            • OnceWasTim 5.3.2.1.2.1
              6 December 2019 at 5:31 pm

              * "………..let down by their "officials", and NZers and immigration applicants are going to continue to be let down by the cistern until they do." = " ……….let down by their "officials", and NZers and immigration applicants are going to continue to be let down by the cistern until they (a gummint) do undertake radical reform".

              • cleangreen …
                6 December 2019 at 6:28 pm

                Thanks Once Was Tim.

                Yes it’s cold comfort to see the Minister being lamb-basted by the media hounds when it was the bureaucrats that have caused the mess not him.

                So a restructuring of the obviously dysfunctional system needs radical change now as you allude too.

                Since so many mistakes have been found.

                Kris is a casualty of this dysfunctional bureaucratic mess.and must be excused for thinking they were doing right for all of us.

        • Rapunzel 5.3.2.2
          6 December 2019 at 12:18 pm

          I feel for Kris Faaoi having worked so hard to do so much for NZ to be badgered like that, and then possibly see that work jeopardised by someone you felt that close to. In the interests of NZ the Coalition need to stop trusting that others are as honourable & honest as they are, it looks like many media – certain ones in particular are basing their entire careers on it – some govt employees & those who will call you friend are driven by self interest. It's actually a very sad and undeserved day that Mr Faafoi is facing.

    • OnceWasTim 5.4
      6 December 2019 at 3:40 pm

      pffffft to all above and below. (I'm desperate to know when we can apply for funding for a series of Border Force NZ. The dogs are in training, some Shortland Street star is rehearsing the smart-arse voice-overs, Julie Christie's bidding for the rights, and NuZullOn Ear are considering funding applications)

      By the way …. Does anyone know if that queue jumper Dawn Baxendale's visa has been sorted?

      So much more important (/sarc)

      • cleangreen 5.4.1
        6 December 2019 at 7:08 pm

        yesOWT yes she (Dawn Baxendale) will get a free pass for her TV interest and her looks I would imagine; – unless she is a he; (sarc..

  6. greywarshark 6
    6 December 2019 at 10:26 am

    Edit
    China attempted to control its projected population growth by decree and brute force. The culture elevates males to carry the family line and fortunes down the generations. One child only was allowed to most people. So males took precedence often. Some people drowned their girl baby in a bucket.

    It was a traumatic decree with consequences with now a vastly skewed gender balance which will have the affect of females being greatly prized but also being objects to be controlled and guarded, not free, and likely to be traded in a commercial way for advantage.

    Chinese men are looking to Pakistan and women trafficking with 629 victims of a people smuggling ring being accused. But Pakistan wants to obtain agreements 'to cement business with its ally' so witnesses are being told to stay schtum.

    To lessen birth numbers the MIT in USA is working on a contraceptive pill that will give a month's protection from only one taken each month. That may be good if it passes trials for safety and effectiveness.
    (Items – p.16 Nelson Mail World section Dec 6 2019 Fairfax).

    But I think there must be an effort to limit the population burden on countries and the planet. We could allow people to choose their time of death after the age of 75, and ensure that this was properly planned for, with respect and effectively achieved according to the wishes of the person.

  7. greywarshark 7
    6 December 2019 at 10:54 am

    To date – Brexit in the UK generally

    https://www.bbc.com/news/av/uk-politics-50670627/general-election-2019-farage-on-meps-leaving-brexit-party
    General election 2019: Farage on MEPs leaving Brexit Party
    Nigel Farage said three of the MEPs who have left his Brexit Party have links to the Conservative party.

    He said they were wrong to back the Conservatives and “don’t understand” what is happening in the Labour seats being contested by the Brexit Party.
    The BBC's Andrew Neil told Mr Farage that links that the MEPs had to the Tories were well known when he “paraded” them as Brexit Party candidates.

    (Farage reminds me of pictures of Toad in Wind and the Willows. Anyone else see a likeness?) Confusion in Labour about Brexit – why would they be disturbed at having another Brexit vote? Which must first have a legally raised majority level to ensure it's a widely and firmly supported decision.)
    .

    https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/12/uk-labour-supporters-unhappy-prospect-brexit-vote-191205121502167.html
    The decision by Britain's main opposition Labour party to hold another Brexit vote if it wins the upcoming election has upset some supporters.

    In Hartlepool, in northeast England, most people voted to leave the EU in the 2016 referendum.
    Now they are threatening to switch to pro-Brexit parties.
    Al Jazeera's Emma Hayward reports from Hartlepool.
    .

    EU's Donald Tusk (Polish politician) is not confused, he has considered and pronounces:
    Brexit has been “one of the most spectacular mistakes” in the history of the EU and followed a campaign marked by “an unprecedented readiness to lie”, Donald Tusk has said….

    The unabashed anglophile, who recently said he would “in my heart always be a remainer”, put himself at odds with other EU leaders by declaring it would still be better for both sides if Brexit did not happen. Many EU diplomats fear any second referendum leading to a remain result would mean festering divisions in the UK that would block the EU from making decisions – a view Tusk strongly rejected.

    https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/05/brexit-one-of-most-spectacular-mistakes-in-eu-history-donald-tusk

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

  8. Karol121 8
    6 December 2019 at 11:09 am

    A little slow with my Israel Folau comment, but here's my penny's worth:

    A satisfactory result for him, all considered it would seem.

    He walks away smiling and they, Rugby Australia (RA), get rid of a social media zealot.

    But in a way, Folau has won on two counts;

    1. He ends up with a settlement in his back pocket with only a relatively small amount having to be spent on legal "mouthpieces" (paid for by others in any case) and he will probably do well elsewhere in relation to recreational sport as a money making venture.

    2. He walks off with the satisfaction of knowing that he has sent RA into a tail spin as it pertains to employment contracts and fine print.

    Of course, few ever suggested that RA were anti-Christian and it should be evident that they were, more or less, trying to stay compliant in relation to almost global anti-discrimination laws pertaining to religion, race, gender etc.

    But in fact, that which he expressed on social media didn’t appear to break any of those laws.

    For example, if I were to take some obscure interpreted verse from the Quran and I were to state that this book of joy suggested death and damnation to the infidel, my advice is that I would not be breaking the law either.

    I may seriously have an issue with the comments made by Folau, (and hey, I'm not even homosexual, nor am I a Muslim), but I do congratulate him for his entrepreneurial spirit in relation to the use of contractual law and sport to profit from.

    He has proven something that is clearly apparent, people can make oodles of money from virtually doing nothing.

    • Red Blooded One 8.1
      6 December 2019 at 11:35 am

      Translation : Someone skilled at playing with balls and his equally skillful ball handling squeeze are cunning as shit-house rats and can now go back into their circle-jerk pretend religion family and spout as many knuckle dragging opinions as they like on the dime of poor innocent rugby players.

      Now maybe they'll start doing what their god wishes and start punching out babies instead of focusing on their illustrious careers.

      May a God bless them and heal their hurt feelings.

      • Karol121 8.1.1
        6 December 2019 at 3:38 pm

        You have a way with words, Red Blooded One.

        yes

        You have pretty much expressed what I was thinking when I was tapping away earlier on, but where my words came out a little too politely.

    • McFlock 8.2
      6 December 2019 at 4:23 pm

      well, contract law or a bit of litigious extortion: you can pay me X to settle, or you'll pay your lawyers X+Y to fight the case in court.

      He was allowed to say what he said, I don't think anyone's said it crossed legal lines. He just shat on the brand that was paying him by advertising the brand that's the family business.

  9. greywarshark 9
    6 December 2019 at 11:30 am

    Edit
    This is really interesting. On Radionz details about a building firm that has put up a new building in Christchurch which a junior structural engineer blew the whistle about. Just as well or probably no-one would have known until there was a disaster. What a story, the young engineer walking past the building, looked past the construction fence, and saw some unnerving evidence of poor construction and reported it. Good on that person, and on his firm to which he first reported.

    Then…bad. The building was allowed to be continued. And now sits vacant and pending dangerous.

    A full two years of wrangling later – during which time the building was completed, as was one next door – experts have confirmed there are 10 significant weaknesses in the design or construction of columns, bracing, the calculation of seismic loads, hold-down bolts, the pile design and the stairs.

    The building consent team at the city council said it was "gutted" the eight-storey design got through its checking systems.

    This from another developer who has background on the people and company behind the building.

    "Two or three years ago, they approached us, were aware that we wanted to build a carparking building in Hereford Street. They said that they felt that Christchurch was being overcharged for buildings and that they could do it so much better," Mr Gough said.

    He looked into Rockwell, he said.

    Companies office records show it was set up in 2014 and 2015 by business interests originally from Korea, and in online posts says it offers seismic engineering and specialised construction.

    "They had a company that was only about $100 shareholding, was less than a month old and had no experience in New Zealand or Christchurch whatsoever," Mr Gough said.

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/404956/developer-declined-rockwell-group-responsible-for-substandard-building-in-christchurch

    Don't we check on integrity of people, company, experience, materials etc before approving projects and their formation? Have NZ and particularly, Christchurch planners and regulators, been overcome by some virus that has over-ridden their normal desire to do their jobs well? What sort of background credentials have they, to even get into their jobs? What are they being taught during the time they are studying for their qualifications?

    We have so many botches in NZ and it is time for a revolution as all–embracing as that of Douglas & Co, and old worn-out Labour. We can't let this country be run by cowboys with the rodeo running on a national scale. Those who specialise in looking after animal welfare have got rodeos banned. We humans consider ourselves so intelligent, and on a higher level above animals, yet we can't trust our trained and well-paid managers to look after our welfare, and ultimately, their own. We are the animals being spurred and kicked. God help us!

    • Stuart Munro. 9.1
      6 December 2019 at 1:37 pm

      One of the downsides not considered in NZ's unseemly haste to embrace globalization is the issue of enforcement across language barriers. Council inspectors are fairly taxed assuring compliance even among builders from our own culture, and moreso in Christchurch, where large numbers of substandard earthquake repairs seem to have slid through without the inspectorate so much as clearing it's throat. Throw in language and cultural issues and they are more likely to avoid the job than demonstrate the extra vigilance and communication skills required.

      • pat 9.1.1
        6 December 2019 at 1:50 pm

        not to mention the dearth of capability in house to assess the performance of the design

      • Buster12 9.1.2
        6 December 2019 at 2:26 pm

        Really needs to be a lot more inspectors, pain in the ass trying to get an inspector in to sign off on an inspections.

        • Stuart Munro. 9.1.2.1
          6 December 2019 at 3:12 pm

          Ideally you'd have a surplus & cycle them through the construction sector & polytechs & WEAs during low build times, to upskill and spread the knowledge. Kindof at odds with the black economy model of exploited foreign workers building McMansions though.

      • cleangreen 9.1.3
        6 December 2019 at 7:11 pm

        yesGood point there Stuart.100%

    • Karol121 9.2
      6 December 2019 at 3:48 pm

      "$100 shareholding", more at "$100 company". An old phrase or terminology but still widely used and used most legitimately as a description for a company which might only be worth the cost of the original company registration set up cost, and then even less when the company is being pursued by creditors or other irate individuals or groups.

      Indeed the safety and quality assurance concerns are one issue, and also the other issue pertaining to the many who'd have assisted with the construction in good faith and had supplied materials, only to find that as creditors, they may never get paid anything close to their costs, let alone getting paid adequately for their supply and trade.

  11. cleangreen 11
    6 December 2019 at 12:18 pm

    Greta has to be an inspiration to any human being.

  12. Fireblade 12
    6 December 2019 at 1:00 pm

    Like the boy who cried wolf, Simon squeaks Meka, Clare, Grant, Ian, Shane, Stuart, Kris must resign!. Everyone resign!, anyone?, hello?, hello?…

    A sad lonely voice crying in the wilderness. Poor little Simon.

    • Jimmy 12.1
      6 December 2019 at 1:25 pm

      To be fair though, when in opposition they did cry the same about National ministers whenever they could.

    • Sacha 12.2
      6 December 2019 at 1:57 pm

      That's part of the job we pay him to do.

    • Fireblade 12.3
      6 December 2019 at 3:41 pm

      Well, maybe I should take a more considered view of Mr Bridges.

      Here goes…

      Simon is like the skidmark on my undies. Doesn't pass the sniff test, is always unpleasant, but sometimes is just plain unavoidable.

      • Karol121 12.3.1
        6 December 2019 at 4:21 pm

        That, and when we've run out of undies and decide to go jocks "commando style".

        Then he can be likened to some used and soggy tea leaves in tea cup, probably only fit to be placed at the window side of a Newmarket cafe on Carlton Gore Road, so as to be mishandled or reused for an even weaker, pallid, lackluster brew and then abused or consumed by any and sundry, in and around the national political set.

  14. greywarshark 14
    6 December 2019 at 1:14 pm

    Acta non verba

    Something good happening because Labour is working for the country.

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/404936/help-may-be-on-the-way-for-farmers-struggling-with-farm-environment-plans
    5.12.2019 Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern indicated help could be on the way, in answer to a question at a farmers' conference, on what might be available for farmers in next year's budget.

    "Farm environment plans can be the one thing that you know you need to follow and work to," Ms Ardern told the conference."But then, how do we know those have relevant at the level of each catchment. "So there are things we would like your views on…

    Farmers have already fenced off around 25,000 kilometres of riverbank under earlier agreements with the Crown.
    But most of them were built closer to a river than the five metre setback required under September's Action Plan for Healthy Waterways….

    Ms Ardern said the Minister for the Environment, David Parker, would offer farmers a temporary reprieve.
    "He (Mr Parker) has said there could be a 10-year period (to do this) or a five-year period, so he is being very pragmatic about this."

  15. cleangreen 15
    6 December 2019 at 2:17 pm

    I have a small creek running through the bottom of my 10 acre mini-farm and wonder what we need to do as the sheep all 40 of them don't go near the creek that we see.

    We wonder where to for us now? – do we need to fence that small creek, will Gov’t help fund it?

    If not do we just de-stock to keep just a few pet sheep like we had at the beginning of our organic farm?

  16. Kay 16
    6 December 2019 at 2:19 pm

    Yesterday we were able to get this "study" shut down

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/in-depth/404933/epilepsy-patients-angry-at-being-told-symptoms-all-in-their-heads

    Today, this happened

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/404964/chief-coroner-opens-inquiry-into-deaths-linked-to-anti-epileptic-medication

    If the Pharmac apologists are still floating around here I would be very interested in hearing your views on these latest developments. Just be warned, I'm still recovering from a seizure last night and I'm very stroppy and argumentative(a very common after effect) but I'll do my best to manage it.

    • Incognito 16.1
      6 December 2019 at 11:16 pm

      Although I acknowledge the patients’ rights to be angry the irony is that the study aimed to improve health outcomes for said patients.

  17. greywarshark 17
    6 December 2019 at 2:31 pm

    I hope you are all right now Kay. Have you got the treatment that you want?

  18. greywarshark 18
    6 December 2019 at 2:35 pm

    I hope you are all right now Kay. Have you got the treatment that you want?

    Why can't people be asked to trial it, while they still have their previous medication. And if it doesn't suit, they can change back again. Those with the condition will understand their condition and know when it is suitable to try anything new, and have their other medication handy if there is a reaction.

    • Kay 18.1
      6 December 2019 at 2:55 pm

      @grey, thank you, I actually managed to fluke funding to stay on my long-standing brand some months ago before the Pharmac back down, but it could've gone the other way. Had I not, I would've been paying to stay on it and starving in the process, and probably dropping my dose to afford it.

      I've been helping out with the fight behind the scenes and in the process have seen so many documents and OIA requests etc, and it's bloody scary what goes on. This fight is not over because Logem is still the sole funded brand and the other 2 brands are only still available here by the grace of the drug companies, ie supply not guaranteed. So we're not out of the woods.

      Remember this isn't just a fight over a drug used for a few people with epilepsy and bipolar- this has happened before and will continue to happen, and people will continue to be harmed if this practice is not severely scrutinised and reigned in. And the people who want to back Pharmac blindly are welcome to, but they might want to remember they could be next to be affected.

      • greywarshark 18.1.1
        6 December 2019 at 3:13 pm

        It is amazing to see how things work out. We are talking about a drug for people who will be ill without it. There is a right dose, neither too little and certainly not too much will give the required effect.

        The government has to be careful with its health budget and we all know that. So they try to be careful with expenditure, and yet need to keep the right amount of health treatment available. They want to take a balanced approach.

        Then they allow their agent Pharmac to go OTT in a type of experiment, as it cannot be predicted just how many people will not be able to utilise the new type of the old drug. So they are prepared for them to underdose on the budget availability for epilepsy drugs and take a risk in the process, with your life. No wonder you are angry. They are virtually taking a guinea pig approach (sorry for any guinea pigs that have been hurt in the process).

  19. observer 19
    6 December 2019 at 2:40 pm

    If you wanted to boost support for the PM, it would go something like this:

    "Stage a gun protest outside a primary school. Have no connection at all with the location, the event, the people. Involve ultra-fringe groups like the New Conservatives. Make sure you get on telly. Antagonise the public as much as possible."

    Top work, guys!

    • Anne 19.1
      6 December 2019 at 2:51 pm

      A motorist yelled at the gun owning protesters : "Why outside a primary school you maniacs ."

      The Herald describes the motorist as an "highly agitated driver".

      Of course he was agitated. So, I bet were many other passers-by.

      How dumb can some of these journos be?

      https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12291623

      • greywarshark 19.1.1
        6 December 2019 at 3:18 pm

        Perhaps people who are agitated and excited seem silly and journalists only respect cold-blooded types like the March gunman who apparently remained detached while he created mayhem. He wasn't highly agitated although others were. Journos need to look for the cool one, at the eye of the storm.

      • Wensleydale 19.1.2
        6 December 2019 at 4:05 pm

        Exactly as dumb as they need to be to secure continued employment with Granny Herald. 'The NZ Herald – lowering the bar since forever.'

      • observer 19.1.3
        6 December 2019 at 4:09 pm

        Whenever there is a protest by lefties/greenies/Maori, especially during weekday work hours, they are immediately labelled "rentamob". (Disclosure: nobody has ever paid me rent to go and protest, but my rates are available on request).

        Why is "rentamob" never used for right wing protests?

        • McFlock 19.1.3.1
          6 December 2019 at 4:25 pm

          Especially as the typsetting on their posters seems suspiciously uniform. Someone shelled out a few bucks for each placard.

      • cleangreen 19.1.4
        6 December 2019 at 7:27 pm

        Anne at 19.1
        Jouro's by name only but low quality ones at that!!!

        How sad that the journo said only the (gun) weapon user was agitated??

  21. Karol121 21
    6 December 2019 at 4:44 pm

    Adios Amigos (and others).

    I've my digs, a billy and some te secured in a fag end wrap, attached to the end of a broomstick handle, and I’m off to seek my fortune in marketing and script writing.

    No more the philosophical journeys (imposed or otherwise) down a path of hand to mouth monk hood if I can help it.

    It's been a pleasure, am sure. One to one, to many and a chance to deliberate the wherefores and y's.

    cheeky

    • Robert Guyton 21.1
      6 December 2019 at 4:56 pm

      Don't go…

      • greywarshark 21.1.1
        7 December 2019 at 8:10 am

        Don't leave us – now we have learned to appreciate your sterling qualities and ideas. If you have an idea why not drop it in – just takes a moment and then leave it to us to note it or thrash it out. Something of interest that intrigues you. Maybe just give us a link and a steer – this for the USA political watchers or Climate Change findings etc. Set a time limit for yourself which I have to do now. I confess I have to have a wind up device that ticks off the minutes. It's quirky, shaped like a tomato and dings when my time is up.

    • Red Blooded One 21.2
      6 December 2019 at 6:03 pm

      Awh, we need you here, thoughtful, poetic and polite. Good luck with your fortune seeking and maybe visit occasionally.

    • David Mac 21.3
      6 December 2019 at 10:58 pm

      Yeah, good luck Karol, I hope your flight wings you to contentment. You look to be on the way to me.

  22. cleangreen 22
    6 December 2019 at 7:34 pm

    Well my daughter flew out yesterday so we are 'alone again naturally' (Gilbert o' Sullivan) cera 1974. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTF3BTKlj9Q

    • David Mac 22.1
      6 December 2019 at 11:04 pm

      Nearly all family visitors start to grind on each other after a while. I love my beautiful ol Dad to bits but gee after 2 days of sharing the same space together…

      The true and divine pleasure lives in the anticipation of being together again Clean and you're rolling in clover.

  23. David Mac 23
    6 December 2019 at 11:23 pm

    I was thinking today about protesting and if there could be a better way.

    Traditionally, it is about getting in the face of perpetrators or influencers and harping 'We don't like what you're doing, stop it.'

    It's a very basic strategy, rudimentary.

    I wonder if we could be doing more with the same energy if we got in Twyford's face and demanded free rego and a rebate on the sticker price for electric vehicles as opposed to inhibiting OMV vessels from leaving port.

    Do to oil what Henry Ford did to the horse.

    • David Mac 23.1
      6 December 2019 at 11:55 pm

      Creative protesting. Abseiling up the beehive will draw popular media coverage to a cause.

      I don't know about you but I'm a long way from Wellington and a first-time abseiler…should that be absailor? If not, it should be.

      Anyway, creative protesting. making the most effective noise possible with the least energy.

      There must be better ways than standing outside Rio Tinto's head office chanting 'Stop all Mining you bastards'.

      Traditional protesting is about 'Stop doing that'. I think protesting stands a much better chance of attracting a groundswell of popular support if it's focused on 'Lets do this instead'. Like hassling Twyford to make owning an electric car so easy and attractive you'd be a mug not to.

      • David Mac 23.1.1
        7 December 2019 at 12:20 am

        Imagine the kudos if an energy minister could declare '3 new geothermal generators are coming on line. There will be 30 fewer tankers tying up to the Marsden Point refinery this year. 300,000 more Kiwis will be getting around courtesy of the steam escaping from our beautiful country.'

        Politicians with stories like that don't get voted out.

  24. David Mac 24
    7 December 2019 at 3:46 am

    Early Nissan Leafs with gasping batteries are worthless.

    If I had a burning desire to make money, I'd be looking for a way to give a worthless Leaf a new lease on life on a tight budget.

    I could keep my Princess as she is accustomed rebirthing orthodox Leafs but if I could convince Mr Twyford to go absolutely loopy over electric cars I think I could make serious money with a competition range.

    The Nissan Bud with the sticky head handling package.

    How much dope do you reckon Phil Twyford has smoked? That Kiwibuild thing was a bit of a stoner's FU hey.

    • greywarshark 24.1
      7 December 2019 at 8:24 am

      Great thoughts David Mac. Your idea of positive protesting is wise. We can whine about what is being done wrong and be accused of being airy-fairy theoretical types. But practical ideas are springing out of this blog like shoots from a creeper. Can we use this place as a central post to grow round and stick out individual shoots, carry them out and report we did it? Not sure about too much info. We will have to consider, sooner or later we will be annoying enough to the uncouth pollies and their dainty wealthy friends who will find us uncouth in turn.

      There are groups around NZ who can see NZ is on the decline and doing something about it. When I mentioned decline here the other day a regular said What? explain yourself. Hollow laughter from me. The thinking and practical need to keep in touch off the big screen in a way that does not make them vulnerable.

  25. Eco maori 25
    7 December 2019 at 6:28 pm

    Kia Ora 1 News.

    Way down south

    There ways blocked from flooding taking out the main roads Tawhirimate has been given heaps of Mana with Global Warming.

    That's a great way for the District Health Board to be governed having half Wahine and Tangata whenua on the Board is good.

    Well there you go I knew who is not happy with our common peoples government.

    Awsome to the Salvation Army running the unit to keep people out of the Hinaki.

    Ka kite Ano.

  26. Eco maori 26
    7 December 2019 at 6:44 pm

    Kia Ora Te Ao Maori News.

    That's the way Opotiki tangata 5000 signed petition to take to the Bop health board to keep the birth unit open you will have fresh taringa now that should listen.

    Alcohol and hard drugs is making a big mess of Maori and Pacific tangata lives That's the way let all the people know the stuff is rotten with your march .

    I sports is a great way for tangata Stars to shine Bright.

    Ka kite Ano

    • greywarshark 26.1
      13 December 2019 at 12:12 pm

      The birthing unit at Opotiki closed down with three days notice on 1st December 2019. WTF!

      https://www.change.org/p/bay-of-plenty-district-health-board-stop-the-closing-of-the-opotiki-birthing-centre-and-emergency-services

      For some rural ports along the East Coast, this is the closest birthing Uni, which is up to an hours drive to opotiki! And yes this affects Hapū Māmā, but they are also effecting changes to emergency services, so it actually affects all whānau.

      This sounds similar to Southland's situation. The country being run like a factory business – there must be a certain volume of units going through to be efficient.

      Get those machine-minds out of their comfy chairs! Including those of Parliament. Big sale – must clear – comfy chairs from Parliament, each one personally signed by its previous owner. Great souveniers and talking points at parties. Can be used as fund raisers along with cake stalls – a koha per minute of sitting in The Chair and addressing the audience about the things that you would do for the country if you were elected.

      Now that is a great idea don't you all think? Making fun and frolic with the empty pomposity and cunning conversation that we hear from the powers-that-be.

  28. Eco maori 28
    8 December 2019 at 6:28 pm

    Kia Ora 1 News.

    Its better to re use glass bottles.

    I think My food bag being delivered to the poorest peoples door is a excellent idea.

    Ka kite Ano

  29. Eco maori 29
    8 December 2019 at 6:48 pm

    Kia Ora Te Ao Maori News.

    Andy Te Tangata Whenua all know that the treaty settlement putea is only 1 cent in the dollar of the Whenua that was stolen from us stop playing hard ball a pony up more putea. That's what it is some are settling for bugger all while we watch the fat cats who got our whenua cheap going on holiday with flash waka boats while our whano struggle to keep our whanau afloat.

    Hine brand looks great that is needed encouragement for our Tangata to keep fit and keep Wahine heads held up.

    Mana Wahine

  30. Eco maori 30
    9 December 2019 at 8:37 am

    Kia Ora Breakfast.

    Well I don't have to worry about personal alcohol problems as I don't touch the stuff anymore.

    Is it a coincidence that Bus strikes are happening in the lead up to Christmas. I bet the owners of the bus company's are blue flags wavers.??????.

    New Zealand needs to learn to respect all cultures.

    trump is not going to win some one else is going to Trump him.

    Ka kite Ano

  31. Eco maori 31
    9 December 2019 at 9:49 am

    We need to protect our beautiful wildlife from being over exploitatived.

    Measures to arrest nature's decline must be passed into law, say MEPs

    1. Officials call for global targets on protection of land, oceans and wildlife to be subject to Paris-style legal framework.

    If humanity wants to reverse the widespread destruction of the natural world, biodiversity needs legal protection like the Paris agreement on climate change, members of the European parliament have said.

    Action to halt biodiversity decline is based on voluntary commitments but, less than a year before a crucial UN biodiversity conference in China, MEPs pointed to the destruction of precious ecosystems and the more than 1m species facing extinction as evidence that the approach is failing

    The global biomass of wild animals has fallen by 82% since records began and 25% of plant and animal species are threatened with extinction. The IPBES report also found there was a strong link between climate change and loss of biodiversity and one could not be solved without the other.

    “The dual emergency of nature decline alongside climate breakdown means transformational action is needed,” said Sandra Bell from Friends of the Earth.

    “We seem to have lost sight of the fact that nature provides us with healthy soils, water and air. In the UK, and across the EU, existing targets haven’t worked because they have lacked action, so it’s up to the EU commission and national governments to enforce nature laws

    Ka kite Ano link below.

    https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/dec/06/measures-to-arrest-natures-decline-must-be-passed-into-law-say-meps

  33. Eco maori 33
    9 December 2019 at 6:31 pm

    Kia Ora 1 News.

    Let's hope the government makes decisions that minimise our carbon footprint and not just to maximise Te putea.

    Ka kite Ano

  34. Eco maori 34
    9 December 2019 at 6:52 pm

    Kia Ora Te Ao Maori News.

    Te puia o whakaai is erupting.

    You see the bus company's owner are not just blue flag wavers they are climate change deniers.

    I agree one must show respect for Tangaroa.

    Ka kite Ano

  35. Eco maori 35
    10 December 2019 at 8:24 am

    Kia Ora Breakfast.

    Condolences to the tangata who lost whanau on Te Puia O Whakaai out of respect for the dead I will say no more on the subject.

    Ka kite Ano

  36. Eco maori 36
    10 December 2019 at 2:14 pm

    Global Warming is creating huge problems we have to minimise our use of green house gases ASAP.

    1.9 billion people at risk from mountain water shortages, study shows

    Rising demand and climate crisis threaten entire mountain ecosystem, say scientists

    A quarter of the world’s population are at risk of water supply problems as mountain glaciers, snow-packs and alpine lakes are run down by global heating and rising demand, according to an international study.

    The first inventory of high-altitude sources finds the Indus is the most important and vulnerable “water tower” due to run-off from the Karakoram, Hindu Kush, Ladakh, and Himalayan mountain ranges, which flow downstream to a densely populated and intensively irrigated basin in Pakistan, India, China and Afghanistan.

    The world has a third pole – and it's melting quickly

    Read more

    The authors warn this vast water tower – a term they use to describe the role of water storage and supply that mountain ranges play to sustain environmental and human water demands downstream – is unlikely to sustain growing pressure by the middle of the century when temperatures are projected to rise by 1.9C (35.4F), rainfall to increase by less than 2%, but the population to grow by 50% and generate eight times more GDP

    Ka kite Ano link below.

    https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/dec/09/billion-people-risk-water-supply-rising-demand-global-heating-mountain-ecosystem

  37. Eco maori 37
    10 December 2019 at 6:27 pm

    Kia Ora 1 News.

    Its not looking good for New Zealand's toursim flooding down south roads washed out desaster in the north a earthquake in Te Tairawhiti that was felt in Whakatane what next.

    Ka kite Ano

  38. Eco maori 38
    10 December 2019 at 6:58 pm

    Kia Ora Te Ao Maori News.

    I agree we have to be thankful for what we have in Aotearoa it good to see tangata helping out Samoa in there time of sorrow and need.

    That's will be Awesome to see St Stevens Maori school reopen soon we must keep tangata whenua culture going Mana.

    Great to see Te Rangatahi enjoying Maori sports.

    Ka kite Ano

  39. Eco maori 39
    11 December 2019 at 8:11 am

    Kia Ora Breakfast.

    Should have had a question to spend the putea on Greening Aotearoa economy that can make the economy grow and create jobs and save our environment.

    Our whole transport system needs to be changed to a low carbon low cost system.

    You might think you are funny pakiha.

    Ka kite Ano.

  40. Eco maori 40
    11 December 2019 at 8:39 am

    Doesn't matter everyone can see Te Eco Maori affect on you.

  41. Eco maori 41
    11 December 2019 at 1:56 pm

    I remember reading stories from the deniers that Wind power and Solar power ie Green energy can never replace coal. Well in your face Global warming deniers no only is Wind and Solar replacing Coal its cheaper and cleaner they use a fraction of the water that is need to burn coal. This tells me one thing the World is corupt for these lieing fools being able to get away with their lies for 40 years.

    Windfarms drive fall in wholesale energy price with lower bills forecast for 2020

    Australian Energy Market Commission says prices will begin to fall next year and by 2022 will be $97 a year lower

    The price of residential electricity is estimated to start falling next year and continue to fall until 2022, the Australian Energy Market Commission says.

    The AEMC’s annual report on electricity price trends shows an overall falling price outlook over the next few years, mostly due to decreases in the wholesale cost from increased generation capacity, particularly from windfarms.

    By the end of 2022, almost all Australians are expected to spend an average $97 less on their annual power bills after prices start falling in 2020, the Australian Energy Market Commission says.

    Annual bills during the financial year 2018-19 reached $1,370 and have been calculated to fall to $1,273 by June 2022.

    This drop is not expected for Western Australia, where annual bills are estimated to be $100 more expensive

    Ka kite Ano link below.

    https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/dec/09/windfarms-drive-fall-in-wholesale-energy-price-with-lower-bills-forecast-for-2020

  42. Eco maori 42
    11 December 2019 at 2:49 pm

    Some Eco Maori Music For The Minute.

    https://youtu.be/5Yj4j_lZMBo