Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step right up to the mike…
Herald and nats gloating about john key betting 50 bucks on the melbourne cup yesterday then go on to say that joyce says no harm proved from sky city deal… herald and key showing a deep understanding of the issues then.
So ‘backbuster’ Veitch returns to the ‘top’ of the stinking pile that is sports radio. Should people be given a second chance? I am all for the possibility of rehabilitation, except few get genuinely offered it in the NZ justice system. It is who you know for this misogynist.
Well, “Veitchy” won’t have to worry about filling Deaker’s boots.
According to “Deaks”, the reason why our sportspeople arent winning enough is because there are too many women teachers in our schools, and they dont keep score at netball matches, etc.
I see a sportsperson dying in his 50’s. Husks of people is what some sports people have become as they get older. And people like Deaks and Veni, vidi, veitchy will sit in their boxes and pass judgment on the heaving masses below like Roman senators at the colosseum. Those who can do, those who can’t exercise their mouths.
Cant comment for Veitch. As for Deaker I applaud his decision to retire and congratulate him on the pleasure he has given lots of sports fans over the 20+ years of his weekly TV show. I watched his final appearance where he replayed his favourite interviews, it seemed to me he gave women equal time, interviewing to some great sports women like Devoy, Roe, Faumoina and others. It was a great show if you are a sports fan. So from me, thank you and go well Deaks.
PS Could he do? He at-least tried, got to his level, and as a consequence had a good handle on his subject. And as a sports interviewer he succeeded admirably, check the ratings.
Ennui, you must be joking. What you have written reminds me of the rubbish that was printed after “Sir” Paul Holmes died; i.e. you have either forgotten or are deliberately repressing what an offensive, racist, and just plain uninformed sports commentator Deaker was.
Your bit about his treatment of women is extremely misleading, given the comments he made and encouraged on his show, and his defiant re-hiring of Boot-boy Veitch.
I’m preparing a retrospective of “Deaks”, which I’ll have up in the next few days.
How much longer are we going to see these establishment guys defending, supporting and promoting guys who are rape culture role models?!!
Veitch back on air; Radio Live defending Tamihere & Jackson (FFS, if the girls were under age it’s statutory rape, whether they were drinking or not! What’s wrong with those guys?!)
And, as Martyn Bradbury posted, the police are quick to jump on the vigilantes, but not so quick to follow up the rape allegations.
I am for rehabilitation but there also need to be consequences. I am involved in sport as my business and change channels if he is on. Actually its when I reacquainted myself with nat radio.
Coming up this week on Al Jazeera 101 East: The promo today talked about NZ’s very high prison stats, and that Maori are majorly over-represented in NZ prisons:
101 East airs each week at the following times GMT: Thursday: 2230; Friday: 0930; Saturday: 0330; Sunday: 1630.
The title: “Locked up Warriors” and the photo with it, indicates they are borrowing from the movie: “Once Were Warriors”.
Too much of what our “Justice” system is doing to Maori and Pasifika under 30 just perpetuates the cycle of crime. The fact that Justice and Corrections are also being asked to try and compensate for the severe failings in our social-economy is also a crime in of itself.
been thinking about Dunners…visited there a few times…bigger city, more scope for employment…interests…less heat…, lotsa’ hills though for a cyclist…and competition for work…sigh…still, it is being discussed. (coulda’ mailed you, but hey…Forgettaboutit! )
It’s a nice spot and there are definitely opportunities down here, often niche but talent is always appreciated. I think this will be one of the renaissance cities of the 21st century
Ok. That is triggered from akismet. I removed one layer (cloudflare). But I also changed a few params on the conditional captcha so they’d go to moderation and I could have a look at them.
(of course got to work and immediately ran out of time to look at them. Doing release work. *sigh*)
I was so pleased to see deaker finally go imagine my horror at his replacement. It wasnt a well kept secret. As soon as I heard veitch was on saturday I knew what was coming…
and people wonder why ewe have young men trashing on girls and women. None so blind as those who will not see.
And lest anyone think we’re immune: we have exactly the same definition of terrorism here, and a penalty of life imprisonment for committing a “terrorist act”.
Have just read today’s Bowalley Road post on KiwiAssure in which Chris Trotter argues that caucus is still wobbly.
Two salient quotes-
” In David Cunliffe Labour now has a leader who is willing to be as radical as his party. Significantly, it is the third leg of the tripod – the Labour Caucus – which is visibly wobbling. The KiwiAssure policy is a worrying case in point. Radical in intent, radical in expression, but disappointingly conservative in execution”
“At the conference just concluded a distressingly large number of Labour MPs put on a display of childish pique that bodes very ill for the party’s future.”
Weka, Trotter’s ‘ example’ (?) is a brief critique of the policy around KiwiAssure, and is not too different from some mainstream commentary I’ve read: a quote to save you reading it for yourself
“the average Labour supporter might well object: “What on earth is the point of a state-owned insurance company that will, in every respect that matters, be indistinguishable from its private sector competitors?”
Given the fate of AMI, that same voter might also ask what would motivate the ordinary Kiwi family to put its faith (not to mention its future financial security) in a state-owned insurer that not even its own creator is willing to stand behind?…”
yep. I wrote similar yesterday. If KiwiAssure relies on the same foreign re-insurers as today’s crop of insurance companies does, and not the sovereign balance sheet and money creation potential of the Crown, then its unfortunately not much more than a front shop being set up.
The NZ Herald editorial on the subject has it 80% right I think.
Yeah. It really skewers the (I thought perfect) example I came up with for why a state insurer would be better than the private ones: people in CHCH are stuck in a fight over liability between the insurers and EQC, where state-owned insurer could just pay the money and do the paperwork later. But if actually the state-owned insurer is just the same as a private one, that potential benefit vanishes.
In plain English you appear to be saying that David Cunliffe is simply being a populist wanker by trotting out ‘the insurance company’ as a flagship Labour policy,
For the reasons given above, especially Cunliffe’s ignorance of the Government’s ability to provide it’s own capital needs as far as spreading of the risk after a major event goes does seem to take more than a little of the gloss of such a firms ownership…
Hes lucky, if he (Cunliffe) had said to me that I’d sell my own mother he’d be tasting my fist but fortunately for Cunliffe John Key doesn’t stoop to that level
Yes I’m sure hes a big man referencing John Keys mother the way he did, just shows the type of person he is really (not that the people on here could ever see that)
Cunliffe could be worse.
He could do a slit-throat gesture towards the opposition while normal humans are getting over the drama that had just played out above them.
I’m looking forward to Labour crushing Trademe too. The fees are too high and it’s just a giant corporate only worried about its shareholders. I’m sure everyone will switch to KiwiTrade to keep them honest.
Same goes with Xero. A billion dollar company once again only pleasing shareholders. KiwiAccounts is another great business Labour could get in to.
Come to mention it, McDonalds is just taking all it’s money overseas. KiwiBurger is something real everyday New Zealanders could afford!
On Campbell Live last night John had an interview with Steven Joyce Re the failing film industry. After the frenetic Simon Bridges and ditto John Key I was surprised that Mr Joyce seemed to listen to the questions (rather long) and answer in reasonably concise manner. Sounded reasonable even though I have a prejudice against the smug Joyce but….
ahhhh yes, Mr Joyce, unable to transfer the subsidies to Warner Bros. to the small end of the film-making industry, yet bending over backwards to the extraction industries, surveys, legislation…
Must think we have cloth for ears and buttons for eyes.
soo Nick Smith on Midday Report is claiming New Zealand import more building materials to address the 30% premium on price New Zealand sourced-materials have over Australian equivalents, and, wait for it, …. for builders to advise customers of kickbacks (rebates) they have received from suppliers. Good Oh, (builders not too chuffed, as rebates relate to bulk supplies not individual specs, and equivalent to sales incentives in other industries and professions ). Will physicians, hairdressers and panel-beaters be required to do the same in the future, in a Totalitarian state near you.
postscript- And the Conservatory missing from the plans? Fletchers.
Or. We can just borrow more to buy more short lived poor quality crap from China.
Then borrow more again in ten years to replace and repair it as we repeat the leaky building saga.
And replace our builders with dodgy cheap untrained foreigners. Oop’s we do that already as most of the good tradesmen have gone to Australia where they get paid. Instead of being limited to peanuts an hour by Fletchers stranglehold on Christchurch..
If you really want to know why building is expensive here, look at the middlemen.
Ask why it costs less to build a house in Oz even though builders earn twice as much.
China will be happy to lend us the money to buy more of their short lived poor quality crap. A happy money go round, as we exhaust our world’s resources on throwaway materials.
It will replace all these nasty multinationals who are poisoning us with their terrible food and taking all the money overseas.
KiwiKai will serve delicious meals approved by every health board, lobby group in the country. Delicious.
Labour will spend 14 million dollars building a website where people can see the menu. Another 9 million on developing fun apps for the iphone and Android ecosystem. Kids will be able to log in and play awesome games that shows them how healthy their dinner will be.
To order, kiwis will just need to file a form 36 working days before they want their awesome takeaways. Orders will be delivered using public transport only.
LOL, don’t worry about a red horse that has obviously kicked itself in the head. It’s clearly lost it’s rider but I’m sure Key will wager a cool 50 bucks on it…
Ever wondered why the labour party is so loudly opposed to apartheid?
Ever wondered why lazy good for nothing maoris and islanders are defended by the labour party?
Ever wondered why the labour party want more Kenyan wogs let into the country?
Ever wondered why the labour party side with the viet cong?
– because they’re soft on niggers
– of any colour – black niggers – brown niggers – yellow niggers
You name it and Norm Kirk will be prostrating himself before them?
Vote National the white man’s party!
“Cunliffe called Key the “Kiwi-spoiler,” someone who had beaten up on Kiwbank when it first started, KiwiSaver, KiwiRail and now KiwiAssure.
Key responded on KiwiBank. Yes it was a good little business.
“I might point out though this it has taken $860 million of taxpayers’ money and it has never paid a dividend in 10 years.”
He challenged Cunliffe to name another bank operating in New Zealand that had an insurance company, and offered insurance on the same property they were lending on.
“They do not do that.”
Cunliffe: “Is he aware that ASB Bank own Tower Insurance? If he is, why is he asking such a stupid question.”
Within minutes of Cunliffe’s comment, National’s research unit – or perhaps a few friends in the insurance industry – had got the message to Key that Cunliffe was wrong.
ASB did not own Tower. They sent the list of owners. Key tried to read through the list.
Eventually Labour’s deputy, David Parker, and possibly the source of his leader’s error, did the honourable thing and acknowledged the error by asking Key: “Has he received any advice that ASB in fact own Sovereign Assurance?”
Key: “Yes it does own Sovereign and let us get to the better bit…Sovereign provides life insurance, and the way [Cunliffe] is going, he will need life insurance.”
if it was not for the reality that Brownlee and Key had to hold up proceedings and bully the speaker to achieve their pyrrhic victory; really PR, is that all you have today, are we to go to bed hungry without any supper?
Correct me if I’m wrong, but hasn’t KiwiBank been making a profit for the last few years? My understanding was that it’s profits have been helping to prop up NZ Post (which should have always remained a Government department, and certainly should never have had unfair competition forced upon it, whereby it is at a disadvantage because it has statutory social obligations).
Besides that, there’s more to government than making a profit. One of the main purpose of KiwiBank was to introduce government-owned competition into the market to drive down unnecessary fees – something which it has achieved well.
Labour policy- the man ban is merely following Key’s own policy of closely stacking front bench parliamentary seats with women, while banning men to the back and sides. Abbotts man ban policy is significantly problematic as it conflicts with his single woman policy.
The Bruce Jesson talk is on line. Do other people know how to make it easily available.
I haven’t tried but with my expertise I will probably not succeed.
well that’s obscure. You’re that hard up for trumpets to blow that you’ll pucker you lips for a 1-point improvement in the june year public service satisfaction rate?
“A little bit insipid….”
Godawful new Hobbit song fails to impress as Panel plumbs new low The Panel, Radio NZ National, Wednesday 6 November 2013
Paul Brennan, Joe Bennett, Ellen Read
Long-suffering listeners to The Panel have been assailed by some utterly disgusting, insultingly shallow and banal aural dreck over the last eight years. Just off the top of my head, I recall the cruel laughter directed by the likes of Chris Trotter at victims of state repression; the mad anti-democracy rants by Michelle Boag; the snarling attempts at character assassination by Dr Michael “Bonkers” Bassett; the honking hypocrisy of lawyer and former ACT MP Stephen Franks, a spokesman for the knife-loving S.S. Trust, lecturing in tones of heightened gravitas about modern “wickedness”; the halfwitted observations of Nevil “Breivik” Gibson; the insane raving of Christine (Spankin’) Rankin; and the haughty denunciation of “these people” (Egyptians) by Rosemary McLeod.
But, even bearing in mind all of that depravity and mediocrity, I believe that the nadir was reached at 4:45 this afternoon. For some reason, producer Susan Balducci saw fit to play thirty seconds of “I See Fire”, a dire, plodding, tuneless dirge by Ed Sheeran, written for the latest New Zealand taxpayer-funded Peter Jackson snore-fest The Desolation of Smaug. After what seemed like thirty MINUTES of sub-Chris Rea pap, there was an uneasy silence in the studio. Realising that he was expected to say something vaguely supportive about the dog, Joe Bennett showed uncharacteristic restraint and said: “It’s not to my taste.” Not even Ellen Read, who is a diehard supporter of the dodgy deal foisted on the National Government by Warner Bros. that has led to such truly terrible “product”, could work herself up into defending this one. After an uncomfortable pause, she delivered her verdict: “It’s a little bit insipid.”
Susan Baldacci, a little taken aback by the lack of respect for this piece of shit, lamely explained that Sheeran had written the dirge for the end credits—“which is not where they’re going to play a real rocker”. She got no support from Paul Brennan, obviously as appalled as Bennett and Read.
———————-
If, like me, you’ve been of the opinion for the last decade or so that the song Céline Dion sang for Titanic was the worst in the history of the movies, then you may change your mind after you click on THIS…. http://metro.co.uk/2013/11/05/listen-to-ed-sheerans-the-hobbit-the-desolation-of-smaug-song-i-see-fire-4175112/
“Telling it like it is.” Chris, your loyalty is of the same order as that desperately mugging Hamilton West MP behind Bennett—unstinting and clearly uncritical.
Since you obviously respect her, or pretend to at least, maybe you should tell her that every time she says something cruel or dishonest, she puts on another kilogram.
Its amusing how quickly the left descend to personal attacks when they hear something they don’t like so are you saying theres something wrong with being overweight? That if shes overweight she can’t do her job?
You can attack her policies, her views etc etc but attacking her over her weight is a bit, well desperate really
Women have enough hurdles to overcome (especially in politics) without people like you expecting them to live up to some (probably impossible) body image
I’ll trust you not to take Morrissey as speaking for anyone but his deluded self.
“Deluded”? How so? You’d better explain carefully and clearly why you’re suddenly in Camp Bennett, so as to dispel the impression that you are irresponsible and lazy.
“Thinking Morrisseey [sic] is a deluded fuckwit” does not equal “Supporting Paula Bennett”. Believing those two statements to be equal is to be deluded.
Was that explanation clear enough?
No it was not good enough, as I’m sure you knew perfectly well as you sent that ill-advised, illogical message of support for our struggling friend into the blogosphere. You foolishly decided to back a surefire loser by coming in behind felix’s indolent exercise in abuse. I advise you to desist from this path, my flocculent friend; we all know you never prosper in these exchanges.
Cancel that nasty message I posted about you being untrustworthy; your gracious admission of defeat shows you are indeed the gallant we always suspected you were.
…your comment is getting awfully close to saying you *wned someone…
This is very awkward. I receive a gracious concession by my friend and occasional adversary felix. I try to behave like a gentleman, and acknowledge his good manners—and I find I’ve blundered into another minefield.
Lower down this thread, two more people have coyly rolled their eyes in the submission posture; I have also politely saluted their good manners. Could you explain how that makes me the one in the wrong here?
It is pretty simple. Claiming victory in an environment where the best that can be hoped for is “..agree to disagree..” merely starts flamewars of the na-nah-de-dah type that are so common when you listen to the playgrounds of primary schools. One side claims “victory” / “owns” / “pwned” and resolutely holds to that. The other sides pour derision. And it escalates….
Eventually I have to wander to crack heads as the shrill screaming of the children disturbs the adults and they start to defend their offspring..In fact school sports matches often descend into this.
I find that grabbing the first person to claim victory and exiling them for some time works wonders at reducing my workload. Which is of course my primary motivation. My secondary is that I don’t have to read the boring squealing.
So argue all that you like. But to try to claim victory without a very explicit statement from the other person (something that I see maybe 5 times a year here) and you will find this is a very dangerous business. Start gloating and (as you say it) you find the site becomes a minefield…
(Friendly warning, my friend: check carefully who you go into temporary alliances with. The fellow you shared a little joke with just now is not someone you can trust.)
But Chris I bet all those staving beneficiaries are finding it hard to take instruction from someone who can’t even control how much she puts in her mouth.
Not impressed, Morrissey. This week a lot of women are really finding it tough in the face of a lot of abusive, gender-loaded stuff flying about. In this context, your attempt at laddish (or is it pseudo-laddish) humour is just plain nasty.
I cannot support a service when they are incapable of stringing facts together to prevent people from being dismissed when a serious crime has occurred.
Is there something wrong in NZ in how those who investigate rape are being trained and supervised?
But out of respect for the victim and her family Police are unable to discuss this particular situation any further, however the victim’s complaint is still part of the continuing investigation and should new supporting evidence come to light as part of the ongoing enquiry , the decision in this case not to prosecute will be reviewed.
+ 1 Yep all a big lie from start to finish – the lying fucks – meanwhile how many young women and girls have suffered because of our police? How many? Fucken bastards those police that sat on this shit.
Hard not to be thinking about Louise Nicholas at this point. Both because of the culture within in the NZ Police that she exposed (the word misogynistic seems entired inadequate), and because of the amount of work she did to change rape culture in NZ. The difference in dialogue now compared to then is huge.
Fuck the police.
I’m in the wrong part of the country for this, but I wish someone would organise a national day of action and solidarity. Can’t help but feel there is an opportunity here to make some real change.
Good idea weka about the day of action – hard to organise from Mohua but we will be marching on that day for sure. I have the utmost respect and admiration for Louise Nicholas – she is a hero in my eyes. I hope things change – but I am feeling rage at the moment, rage that the police whom we entrust have let those young women and girls down so badly. I expect deeper and worse revelations on this one.
There’s one already jailed for hiding police rape. Dewar. Probably paroled by now. Living quite nicely on a handsome super somewhere like Little Waihi or Wanaka.
Like the one who proved to be Teina Poara’s evil angel.
“Would it help if I pointed a house out Teina…….?”
We could have a trial by judges if the fucking useless police did their fucking jobs.
But they don’t seem to want to when it comes to rape for some reason, so trial by media it is, until the fucking police, start to do, their fucking job.
Porcine references-wise, pigs get a bad rap. Cops, on the other hand, are often assholes. I think Anne’s link above is really the coup de grace. Asking the 13 y/o to re-enact with mannequins? Oyy… nk
Anyway, as far as I see it, at least as the 13 y/o complainant is concerned, they don’t need much beyond the act of penetration and the admission of having done so by 1 or more of these guys to secure a conviction for sexual conduct with someone under the age of 16. Of course, if these videos that were posted online actually do exist, they would assist the evidential matrix.
No doubt the boys will be lawyered up with the likes of Paul Mabey QC and whoever the spiritual successor to John Haigh is pretty quickly, and various girls involved will end up being subject to a lengthy defended hearing or hearings and humiliating cross-examination. Maybe just me but perhaps some sort of ADR might be more fruitful for the girls and their families?
What ever arse wipe, the only one around here who’d be acting like a pig would be you,squealing away while your socialist mates root you up the jacksey.
Come on bud whats with this pigs shit.
The vast majority of people gave that wankery up once they hit their 20’s, what are you 50+?, to be carry on like some teenager is pretty fucking tragic.
Hi Fender, somehow I don’t think that BM’s limited set of intellectual skills includes self-awareness or consistency. Still, as a toy, he’s fun to play with.
Defending our lawful rights to ‘open, transparent and democratically-accountable’ local government:
I have been granted ‘speaking rights’ at the ‘ public input section of the 7 November Governing Body meeting commencing at 10.00am in the Reception Lounge, Auckland Town Hall’.
” You will be allocated five minutes in total to speak on the following subjects:
· The apparent lack of ‘due diligence’, failure to address the increased risk of money-laundering in the Auckland Council submission on the International Convention Centre Bill.
· Potential consequences if Auckland Council fails to uphold the RULE OF LAW regarding the statutory requirement under the Public Records Act 2005 s.17.
· Perceived ‘conflicts of interest’ in the ‘inquiry’ into the conduct of Mayor Len Brown.”
‘Open Letter’ request for speaking rights at the Auckland Council Governing Body meeting to be held on Thursday 7 November 2013 at 10am at the Reception Lounge, Auckland Town Hall:
Good afternoon …….,
I would like to address the Auckland Council Governing Body meeting to be held on Thursday 7 November 2013, at 10am at the Auckland Town Hall, in ‘Public forum’.
My subject matter will be:
1) The apparent lack of ‘due diligence’, failure to address the increased risk of money-laundering in the Auckland Council submission on the International Convention Centre Bill, as outlined in the following Regulatory Impact Statement:
2) Potential consequences if Auckland Council fails to uphold the RULE OF LAW regarding the statutory requirement under the Public Records Act 2005 s.17
(1)Every public office and local authority must create and maintain full and accurate records of its affairs, in accordance with normal, prudent business practice, including the records of any matter that is contracted out to an independent contractor.
(2) Every public office must maintain in an accessible form, so as to be able to be used for subsequent reference, all public records that are in its control, until their disposal is authorised by or under this Act or required by or under another Act.
(3) Every local authority must maintain in an accessible form, so as to be able to be used for subsequent reference, all protected records that are in its control, until their disposal is authorised by or under this Act.
3) Perceived ‘conflicts of interest’ in the ‘inquiry’ into the conduct of Mayor Len Brown.
ie: The fact that Auckland Council CEO Doug McKay, Ernst and Young and Nigel Morrison (CEO of Sky City) are all members of the unelected, very powerful private lobby group – the Committee for Auckland, who arguably are not unhappy with the performance of Mayor Len Brown.
“Based on information revealed tonight on the way underage sexual violation case has been handled, we will be referring it to the IPCA.” – Jacinda Ardern.
I half expect them to say that only police actions can be complained about, and they didn’t take any in this case. As far as not treating the case any differently because one of their sons was involved – how would they have acted if one of the 13 year old girls was one of their daughters?
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If our strategic position was already challenging, it just got worse. Reliability of the US as an ally is in question, amid such actions by the Trump administration as calling for annexation of Canada, threating ...
Small businesses will be exempt from complying with some of the requirements of health and safety legislation under new reforms proposed by the Government. The living wage will be increased to $28.95 per hour from September, a $1.15 increase from the current $27.80. A poll has shown large opposition to ...
Summary A group of senior doctors in Nelson have spoken up, specifically stating that hospitals have never been as bad as in the last year.Patients are waiting up to 50 hours and 1 death is directly attributable to the situation: "I've never seen that number of patients waiting to be ...
Although semiconductor chips are ubiquitous nowadays, their production is concentrated in just a few countries, and this has left the US economy and military highly vulnerable at a time of rising geopolitical tensions. While the ...
Health and Safety changes driven by ACT party ideology, not evidence said NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi President Richard Wagstaff. Changes to health and safety legislation proposed by the Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety Brooke van Velden today comply with ACT party ideology, ignores the evidence, and will compound New ...
In short in our political economy this morning:Fletcher Building is closing its pre-fabricated house-building factory in Auckland due to a lack of demand, particularly from the Government.Health NZ is sending a crisis management team to Nelson Hospital after a 1News investigation exposed doctors’ fears that nearly 500 patients are overdue ...
Exactly 10 years ago, the then minister for defence, Kevin Andrews, released the First Principles Review: Creating One Defence (FPR). With increasing talk about the rising possibility of major power-conflict, calls for Defence funding to ...
In events eerily similar to what happened in the USA last week, Greater Auckland was recently accidentally added to a group chat between government ministers on the topic of transport.We have no idea how it happened, but luckily we managed to transcribe most of what transpired. We share it ...
Hi,When I look back at my history with Dylan Reeve, it’s pretty unusual. We first met in the pool at Kim Dotcom’s mansion, as helicopters buzzed overhead and secret service agents flung themselves off the side of his house, abseiling to the ground with guns drawn.Kim Dotcom was a German ...
Come around for teaDance me round and round the kitchenBy the light of my T.VOn the night of the electionAncient stars will fall into the seaAnd the ocean floor sings her sympathySongwriter: Bic Runga.The Prime Minister stared into the camera, hot and flustered despite the predawn chill. He looked sadly ...
Has Winston Peters got a ferries deal for you! (Buyer caution advised.) Unfortunately, the vision that Peters has been busily peddling for the past 24 hours – of several shipyards bidding down the price of us getting smaller, narrower, rail-enabled ferries – looks more like a science fiction fantasy. One ...
Completed reads for March: The Heart of the Antarctic [1907-1909], by Ernest Shackleton South [1914-1917], by Ernest Shackleton Aurora Australis (collection), edited by Ernest Shackleton The Book of Urizen (poem), by William Blake The Book of Ahania (poem), by William Blake The Book of Los (poem), by William Blake ...
First - A ReminderBenjamin Doyle Doesn’t Deserve ThisI’ve been following posts regarding Green MP Benjamin Doyle over the last few days, but didn’t want to amplify the abject nonsense.This morning, Winston Peters, New Zealand’s Deputy Prime Minister, answered the alt-right’s prayers - guaranteeing amplification of the topic, by going on ...
US President Donald Trump has shown a callous disregard for the checks and balances that have long protected American democracy. As the self-described ‘king’ makes a momentous power grab, much of the world watches anxiously, ...
They can be the very same words. And yet their meaning can vary very much.You can say I'll kill him about your colleague who accidentally deleted your presentation the day before a big meeting.You can say I'll kill him to — or, for that matter, about — Tony Soprano.They’re the ...
Back in 2020, the then-Labour government signed contracted for the construction and purchase of two new rail-enabled Cook Strait ferries, to be operational from 2026. But when National took power in 2023, they cancelled them in a desperate effort to make the books look good for a year. And now ...
The fragmentation of cyber regulation in the Indo-Pacific is not just inconvenient; it is a strategic vulnerability. In recent years, governments across the Indo-Pacific, including Australia, have moved to reform their regulatory frameworks for cyber ...
Welcome to the March 2025 Economic Bulletin. The feature article examines what public private partnerships (PPPs) are. PPPs have been a hot topic recently, with the coalition government signalling it wants to use them to deliver infrastructure. However, experience with PPPs, both here and overseas, indicates we should be wary. ...
Willis announces more plans of plans for supermarketsYesterday’s much touted supermarket competition announcement by Nicola Willis amounted to her telling us she was issuing a 6 week RFI1 that will solicit advice from supermarket players.In short, it was an announcement of a plan - but better than her Kiwirail Interislander ...
This was the post I was planning to write this morning to mark Orr’s final day. That said, if the underlying events – deliberate attempts to mislead Parliament – were Orr’s doing, the post is more about the apparent uselessness of Parliament (specifically the Finance and Expenditure Committee) in holding ...
Taiwanese chipmaking giant TSMC’s plan to build a plant in the United States looks like a move made at the behest of local officials to solidify US support for Taiwan. However, it may eventually lessen ...
This is a Guest Post by Transport Planner Bevan Woodward from the charitable trust Movement, which has lodged an application for a judicial review of the Governments Setting of Speed Limits Rule 2024 Auckland is at grave risk of having its safer speed limits on approx. 1,500 local streets ...
We're just talkin' 'bout the futureForget about the pastIt'll always be with usIt's never gonna die, never gonna dieSongwriters: Brian Johnson / Angus Young / Malcolm YoungMorena, all you lovely people, it’s good to be back, and I have news from the heartland. Now brace yourself for this: depending on ...
Today is the last day in office for the Governor of the Reserve Bank, Adrian Orr. Of course, he hasn’t been in the office since 5 March when, on the eve of his major international conference, his resignation was announced and he stormed off with no (effective) notice and no ...
Treasury and Cabinet have finally agreed to a Crown guarantee for a non-Government lending agency for Community Housing Providers (CHPs), which could unlock billions worth of loans and investments by pension funds and banks to build thousands of more affordable social homes. Photo: Lynn GrievesonMōrena. Long stories shortest:Chris Bishop ...
Australia has plenty of room to spend more on defence. History shows that 2.9 percent of GDP is no great burden in ordinary times, so pushing spending to 3.0 percent in dangerous times is very ...
In short this morning in our political economy:Winston Peters will announce later today whether two new ferries are rail ‘compatible’, requiring time-consuming container shuffling, or the more efficient and expensive rail ‘enabled,’ where wagons can roll straight on and off.Nicola Willisthreatened yesterday to break up the supermarket duopoly with ...
A listing of 31 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, March 23, 2025 thru Sat, March 29, 2025. This week's roundup is again published by category and sorted by number of articles included in each. The formatting is a ...
For prospective writers out there, Inspired Quill, the publisher of my novel(s) is putting together a short story anthology (pieces up to 10,000 words). The open submission window is 29th March to 29th April. https://www.inspired-quill.com/anthology-submissions/ The theme?This anthology will bring together diverse voices exploring themes of hope, resistance, and human ...
Prime minister Kevin Rudd released the 2009 defence white paper in May of that year. It is today remembered mostly for what it said about the strategic implications of China’s rise; its plan to double ...
In short this morning in our political economy:Voters want the Government to retain the living wage for cleaners, a poll shows.The Government’s move to provide a Crown guarantee to banks and the private sector for social housing is described a watershed moment and welcomed by Community Housing Providers.Nicola Willis is ...
The recent attacks in the Congo by Rwandan backed militias has led to worldwide condemnation of the Rwandan regime of Paul Kagame. Following up on the recent Fabian Zoom with Mikela Wrong and Maria Amoudian, Dr Rudaswinga will give a complete picture of Kagame’s regime and discuss the potential ...
New Zealand’s economic development has always been a partnership between the public and private sectors.Public-Private-Partnerships (PPPs) have become fashionable again, partly because of the government’s ambitions to accelerate infrastructural development. There is, of course, an ideological element too, while some of the opposition to them is also ideological.PPPs come in ...
How Australia funds development and defence was front of mind before Tuesday’s federal budget. US President Donald Trump’s demands for a dramatic lift in allied military spending and brutal cuts to US foreign assistance meant ...
Questions 1. Where and what is this protest?a. Hamilton, angry crowd yelling What kind of food do you call this Seymour?b.Dunedin, angry crowd yelling Still waiting, Simeon, still waitingc. Wellington, angry crowd yelling You’re trashing everything you idiotsd. Istanbul, angry crowd yelling Give us our democracy back, give it ...
Two blueprints that could redefine the Northern Territory’s economic future were launched last week. The first was a government-led economic strategy and the other an industry-driven economic roadmap. Both highlight that supporting the Northern Territory ...
In December 2021, then-Climate Change Minister James Shaw finally ended Tiwai Point's excessive pollution subsidies, cutting their "Electricity Allocation Factor" (basically compensation for the cost of carbon in their electricity price) to zero on the basis that their sweetheart deal meant they weren't paying it. In the process, he effectively ...
Green MP Tamatha Paul has received quite the beat down in the last two days.Her original comments were part of a panel discussion where she said:“Wellington people do not want to see police officers everywhere, and, for a lot of people, it makes them feel less safe. It’s that constant ...
US President Donald Trump has raised the spectre of economic and geopolitical turmoil in Asia. While individual countries have few options for pushing back against Trump’s transactional diplomacy, protectionist trade policies and erratic decision-making, a ...
Jobs are on the line for back-office staff at the Department of Corrections, as well as at Archives New Zealand and the National Library. A “malicious actor” has accessed and downloaded private information about staff in districts in the lower North Island. Cabinet has agreed to its next steps regarding ...
The podcast above of the weekly ‘Hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers on Thursday night features co-hosts & talking about the week’s news with regular and special guests, including: and on the week in geopolitics and climate; on the fifth anniversary of the arrival of Covid and the ...
Hi,As giant, mind-bending things continue to happen around us, today’s Webworm is a very small story from Hayden Donnell — which I have also read out for you if you want to give your sleepy eyes a rest.But first:As expected, the discussion from Worms going on under “A Fist, an ...
The threat of a Chinese military invasion of Taiwan dominates global discussion about the Taiwan Strait. Far less attention is paid to what is already happening—Beijing is slowly squeezing Taiwan into submission without firing a ...
After a while you start to smile, now you feel coolThen you decide to take a walk by the old schoolNothing has changed, it's still the sameI've got nothing to say but it's okaySongwriters: Lennon and McCartney.Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, today, a spectacle you’re probably familiar with: ten ...
In short this morning in our political economy: Chris Bishop attempted to rezone land in Auckland for up to 540,000 new homes last year, but was rejected by Cabinet, NZ Herald’s Thomas Coughlan reports this morning in a front page article.Overnight, Donald Trump put 25% tariffs on all car and ...
US President Donald Trump is certainly not afraid of an executive order, signing 97 since his inauguration on 20 January. In minerals and energy, Trump has declared a national emergency; committed to unleashing US (particularly ...
The National Government’s choices have contributed to a slow-down in the building sector, as thousands of people have lost their jobs in construction. ...
Willie Apiata’s decision to hand over his Victoria Cross to the Minister for Veterans is a powerful and selfless act, made on behalf of all those who have served our country. ...
The Privileges Committee has denied fundamental rights to Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, Rawiri Waititi and Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke, breaching their own standing orders, breaching principles of natural justice, and highlighting systemic prejudice and discrimination within our parliamentary processes. The three MPs were summoned to the privileges committee following their performance of a haka ...
April 1 used to be a day when workers could count on a pay rise with stronger support for those doing it tough, but that’s not the case under this Government. ...
Winston Peters is shopping for smaller ferries after Nicola Willis torpedoed the original deal, which would have delivered new rail enabled ferries next year. ...
The Government should work with other countries to press the Myanmar military regime to stop its bombing campaign especially while the country recovers from the devastating earthquake. ...
The Green Party is calling for the Government to scrap proposed changes to Early Childhood Care, after attending a petition calling for the Government to ‘Put tamariki at the heart of decisions about ECE’. ...
New Zealand First has introduced a Member’s Bill today that will remove the power of MPs conscience votes and ensure mandatory national referendums are held before any conscience issues are passed into law. “We are giving democracy and power back to the people”, says New Zealand First Leader Winston Peters. ...
Welcome to members of the diplomatic corp, fellow members of parliament, the fourth estate, foreign affairs experts, trade tragics, ladies and gentlemen. ...
In recent weeks, disturbing instances of state-sanctioned violence against Māori have shed light on the systemic racism permeating our institutions. An 11-year-old autistic Māori child was forcibly medicated at the Henry Bennett Centre, a 15-year-old had his jaw broken by police in Napier, kaumātua Dean Wickliffe went on a hunger ...
Confidence in the job market has continued to drop to its lowest level in five years as more New Zealanders feel uncertain about finding work, keeping their jobs, and getting decent pay, according to the latest Westpac-McDermott Miller Employment Confidence Index. ...
The Greens are calling on the Government to follow through on their vague promises of environmental protection in their Resource Management Act (RMA) reform. ...
“Make New Zealand First Again” Ladies and gentlemen, First of all, thank you for being here today. We know your lives are busy and you are working harder and longer than you ever have, and there are many calls on your time, so thank you for the chance to speak ...
Hundreds more Palestinians have died in recent days as Israel’s assault on Gaza continues and humanitarian aid, including food and medicine, is blocked. ...
National is looking to cut hundreds of jobs at New Zealand’s Defence Force, while at the same time it talks up plans to increase focus and spending in Defence. ...
It’s been revealed that the Government is secretly trying to bring back a ‘one-size fits all’ standardised test – a decision that has shocked school principals. ...
The Green Party is calling for the compassionate release of Dean Wickliffe, a 77-year-old kaumātua on hunger strike at the Spring Hill Corrections Facility, after visiting him at the prison. ...
The Green Party is calling on Government MPs to support Chlöe Swarbrick’s Member’s Bill to sanction Israel for its unlawful presence and illegal actions in Palestine, following another day of appalling violence against civilians in Gaza. ...
The Green Party stands in support of volunteer firefighters petitioning the Government to step up and change legislation to provide volunteers the same ACC coverage and benefits as their paid counterparts. ...
At 2.30am local time, Israel launched a treacherous attack on Gaza killing more than 300 defenceless civilians while they slept. Many of them were children. This followed a more than 2 week-long blockade by Israel on the entry of all goods and aid into Gaza. Israel deliberately targeted densely populated ...
Living Strong, Aging Well There is much discussion around the health of our older New Zealanders and how we can age well. In reality, the delivery of health services accounts for only a relatively small percentage of health outcomes as we age. Significantly, dry warm housing, nutrition, exercise, social connection, ...
Shane Jones’ display on Q&A showed how out of touch he and this Government are with our communities and how in sync they are with companies with little concern for people and planet. ...
Labour does not support the private ownership of core infrastructure like schools, hospitals and prisons, which will only see worse outcomes for Kiwis. ...
The Government’s new planning legislation to replace the Resource Management Act will make it easier to get things done while protecting the environment, say Minister Responsible for RMA Reform Chris Bishop and Under-Secretary Simon Court. “The RMA is broken and everyone knows it. It makes it too hard to build ...
Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay has today launched a public consultation on New Zealand and India’s negotiations of a formal comprehensive Free Trade Agreement. “Negotiations are getting underway, and the Public’s views will better inform us in the early parts of this important negotiation,” Mr McClay says. We are ...
More than 900 thousand superannuitants and almost five thousand veterans are among the New Zealanders set to receive a significant financial boost from next week, an uplift Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says will help support them through cost-of-living challenges. “I am pleased to confirm that from 1 ...
Progressing a holistic strategy to unlock the potential of New Zealand’s geothermal resources, possibly in applications beyond energy generation, is at the centre of discussions with mana whenua at a hui in Rotorua today, Resources and Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is in the early stages ...
New annual data has exposed the staggering cost of delays previously hidden in the building consent system, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “I directed Building Consent Authorities to begin providing quarterly data last year to improve transparency, following repeated complaints from tradespeople waiting far longer than the statutory ...
Increases in water charges for Auckland consumers this year will be halved under the Watercare Charter which has now been passed into law, Local Government Minister Simon Watts and Auckland Minister Simeon Brown say. The charter is part of the financial arrangement for Watercare developed last year by Auckland Council ...
There is wide public support for the Government’s work to strengthen New Zealand’s biosecurity protections, says Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard. “The Ministry for Primary Industries recently completed public consultation on proposed amendments to the Biosecurity Act and the submissions show that people understand the importance of having a strong biosecurity ...
A new independent review function will enable individuals and organisations to seek an expert independent review of specified civil aviation regulatory decisions made by, or on behalf of, the Director of Civil Aviation, Acting Transport Minister James Meager has announced today. “Today we are making it easier and more affordable ...
The Government will invest in an enhanced overnight urgent care service for the Napier community as part of our focus on ensuring access to timely, quality healthcare, Health Minister Simeon Brown has today confirmed. “I am delighted that a solution has been found to ensure Napier residents will continue to ...
Health Minister Simeon Brown and Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey attended a sod turning today to officially mark the start of construction on a new mental health facility at Hillmorton Campus. “This represents a significant step in modernising mental health services in Canterbury,” Mr Brown says. “Improving health infrastructure is ...
Finance Minister Nicola Willis has welcomed confirmation the economy has turned the corner. Stats NZ reported today that gross domestic product grew 0.7 per cent in the three months to December following falls in the June and September quarters. “We know many families and businesses are still suffering the after-effects ...
The sealing of a 12-kilometre stretch of State Highway 43 (SH43) through the Tangarakau Gorge – one of the last remaining sections of unsealed state highway in the country – has been completed this week as part of a wider programme of work aimed at improving the safety and resilience ...
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters says relations between New Zealand and the United States are on a strong footing, as he concludes a week-long visit to New York and Washington DC today. “We came to the United States to ask the new Administration what it wants from ...
Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee has welcomed changes to international anti-money laundering standards which closely align with the Government’s reforms. “The Financial Action Taskforce (FATF) last month adopted revised standards for tackling money laundering and the financing of terrorism to allow for simplified regulatory measures for businesses, organisations and sectors ...
Associate Health Minister David Seymour says he welcomes Medsafe’s decision to approve an electronic controlled drug register for use in New Zealand pharmacies, allowing pharmacies to replace their physical paper-based register. “The register, developed by Kiwi brand Toniq Limited, is the first of its kind to be approved in New ...
The Coalition Government’s drive for regional economic growth through the $1.2 billion Regional Infrastructure Fund is on track with more than $550 million in funding so far committed to key infrastructure projects, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. “To date, the Regional Infrastructure Fund (RIF) has received more than 250 ...
[Comments following the bilateral meeting with United States Secretary of State, Marco Rubio; United States State Department, Washington D.C.] * We’re very pleased with our meeting with Secretary of State Marco Rubio this afternoon. * We came here to listen to the new Administration and to be clear about what ...
The intersection of State Highway 2 (SH2) and Wainui Road in the Eastern Bay of Plenty will be made safer and more efficient for vehicles and freight with the construction of a new and long-awaited roundabout, says Transport Minister Chris Bishop. “The current intersection of SH2 and Wainui Road is ...
The Ocean Race will return to the City of Sails in 2027 following the Government’s decision to invest up to $4 million from the Major Events Fund into the international event, Auckland Minister Simeon Brown says. “New Zealand is a proud sailing nation, and Auckland is well-known internationally as the ...
Improving access to mental health and addiction support took a significant step forward today with Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey announcing that the University of Canterbury have been the first to be selected to develop the Government’s new associate psychologist training programme. “I am thrilled that the University of Canterbury ...
Health Minister Simeon Brown has today officially opened the new East Building expansion at Manukau Health Park. “This is a significant milestone and the first stage of the Grow Manukau programme, which will double the footprint of the Manukau Health Park to around 30,000m2 once complete,” Mr Brown says. “Home ...
The Government will boost anti-crime measures across central Auckland with $1.3 million of funding as a result of the Proceeds of Crime Fund, Auckland Minister Simeon Brown and Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee say. “In recent years there has been increased antisocial and criminal behaviour in our CBD. The Government ...
The Government is moving to strengthen rules for feeding food waste to pigs to protect New Zealand from exotic animal diseases like foot and mouth disease (FMD), says Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard. ‘Feeding untreated meat waste, often known as "swill", to pigs could introduce serious animal diseases like FMD and ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held productive talks in New Delhi today. Fresh off announcing that New Zealand and India would commence negotiations towards a Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement, the two Prime Ministers released a joint statement detailing plans for further cooperation between the two countries across ...
Agriculture and Trade Minister Todd McClay signed a new Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) today during the Prime Minister’s Indian Trade Mission, reinforcing New Zealand’s commitment to enhancing collaboration with India in the forestry sector. “Our relationship with India is a key priority for New Zealand, and this agreement reflects our ...
Agriculture and Trade Minister Todd McClay signed a new Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) today during the Prime Minister’s Indian Trade Mission, reinforcing New Zealand’s commitment to enhancing collaboration with India in the horticulture sector. “Our relationship with India is a key priority for New Zealand, and this agreement reflects our ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of two new Family Court Judges. The new Judges will take up their roles in April and May and fill Family Court vacancies at the Auckland and Manukau courts. Annette Gray Ms Gray completed her law degree at Victoria University before joining Phillips ...
Health Minister Simeon Brown has today officially opened Wellington Regional Hospital’s first High Dependency Unit (HDU). “This unit will boost critical care services in the lower North Island, providing extra capacity and relieving pressure on the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and emergency department. “Wellington Regional Hospital has previously relied ...
Namaskar, Sat Sri Akal, kia ora and good afternoon everyone. What an honour it is to stand on this stage - to inaugurate this august Dialogue - with none other than the Honourable Narendra Modi. My good friend, thank you for so generously welcoming me to India and for our ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Ahead of Donald Trump’s tariff announcement early Thursday (Australian time), the United States president has become a serious and increasing worry for Peter Dutton’s campaign. Even apart from Labor’s obvious and constant “Trump-whistling”, many voters ...
“I have written to Paul Goldsmith, the Minister of Justice, asking for an independent investigation into Dr Rainbow’s fitness for the job. This is the first step to remove him from the role,” says Philippa Yasbek. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Grace McQuilten, Associate professor, RMIT University Australia’s visual arts and craft workers are facing increasingly deteriorating conditions, according to research published today. Our four-year study reveals workers are abandoning the visual art sector, largely because of unstable employment, below-average salaries and ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By T.J. Thomson, Senior Lecturer in Visual Communication & Digital Media, RMIT University A (real) photo of a protester dressed as Pikachu in Paris on March 29 2025.Remon Haazen / Getty Images You wouldn’t usually associate Pikachu with protest. But a ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Bruce Wolpe, Non-resident Senior Fellow, United States Study Centre, University of Sydney The Democrats have been under intense pressure to find an effective way to challenge US President Donald Trump without control of either chamber of Congress or a de facto opposition ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gregory Camp, Senior Lecturer, School of Music, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau Warner Bros Discovery The last few decades have seen many attempts to make musical TV shows. Some of them applied the aesthetics of musicals (where people spontaneously ...
The small town on the Kāpiti Coast shines every March with Māoriland. “We give out gloves with this one,” she said, handing me a pair of blue surgical gloves alongside what I thought would be an ordinary cheeseburger. I shouldn’t have even ordered a cheeseburger given I was standing at ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Thomas Jeffries, Senior Lecturer in Microbiology, Western Sydney University NicoElNino/Shutterstock More than five years since COVID was declared a pandemic, we’re still facing the regular emergence of new variants of the virus, SARS-CoV-2. The latest variant on the rise is ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kirk Dodd, Lecturer in English and Writing, University of Sydney Brett Boardman/Sport For Jove Some say Shakespeare invented the “history play” – but he had a lot of help. Shakespeare was mainly writing comedies in the early 1590s when he ...
Claire Mabey talks to Rachel Paris, whose debut novel See How They Fall is a crime story about rot at the core of a dynastically wealthy family in Sydney. Rachel Paris’s debut novel is a sleek, fast-paced, arsenic-infused whodunnit that centres on devastated mum, Skye, and brilliant but flawed detective, Mei. ...
Call him Winnie, call him Ishmael, but never call Winston Peters a man who’s lacking in one-liners.Echo Chamber is The Spinoff’s dispatch from the press gallery, recapping sessions in the House. Columns are written by politics reporter Lyric Waiwiri-Smith and Wellington editor Joel MacManus.The centre of absurdity in ...
The RSA has long advocated for changes to the Veteran Support Act. In its current form the Act is discriminatory and leaves many of our service personnel who have been affected by their service unable to access the support they need. ...
On all the joy that can be had – and admin that can be done – when you stay up late. In primary school, I loved diorama assignments. A Jurassic scene complete with a volcano, a historic building made of cake – these were my Super Bowl. I could’ve worked ...
On all the joy that can be had – and admin that can be done – when you stay up late. In primary school, I loved diorama assignments. A Jurassic scene complete with a volcano, a historic building made of cake – these were my Super Bowl. I could’ve worked ...
A secondary school student debates the proposal that Shakespeare become compulsory for year 12 and 13 students. The new draft for the New Zealand Englishcurriculum has proposed compulsory Shakespearefor all year 12 and 13 students. It also has suggested texts including World War I poets, Winston Churchill’s World ...
A secondary school student debates the proposal that Shakespeare become compulsory for year 12 and 13 students. The new draft for the New Zealand Englishcurriculum has proposed compulsory Shakespearefor all year 12 and 13 students. It also has suggested texts including World War I poets, Winston Churchill’s World ...
The alleged comments were made in a meeting with a Jewish community leader. Three New Zealand community groups, two representing Jewish voices, are calling for Stephen Rainbow to resign from his role as chief human rights commissioner after what they believe were Islamophobic comments made during an official meeting with ...
The alleged comments were made in a meeting with a Jewish community leader. Three New Zealand community groups, two representing Jewish voices, are calling for Stephen Rainbow to resign from his role as chief human rights commissioner after what they believe were Islamophobic comments made during an official meeting with ...
Peters promised to carry out a “war on woke", a term which the far-right uses to refer to everything from identity politics & affirmative action programs, to education about the brutal history of colonisation, protections against discrimination, environmental ...
Herald and nats gloating about john key betting 50 bucks on the melbourne cup yesterday then go on to say that joyce says no harm proved from sky city deal… herald and key showing a deep understanding of the issues then.
So ‘backbuster’ Veitch returns to the ‘top’ of the stinking pile that is sports radio. Should people be given a second chance? I am all for the possibility of rehabilitation, except few get genuinely offered it in the NZ justice system. It is who you know for this misogynist.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11152047
He has never shown remorse, only self-pity for ‘being hard done for’. A despicable, loathsome little turd.
Well, “Veitchy” won’t have to worry about filling Deaker’s boots.
According to “Deaks”, the reason why our sportspeople arent winning enough is because there are too many women teachers in our schools, and they dont keep score at netball matches, etc.
I see a sportsperson dying in his 50’s. Husks of people is what some sports people have become as they get older. And people like Deaks and Veni, vidi, veitchy will sit in their boxes and pass judgment on the heaving masses below like Roman senators at the colosseum. Those who can do, those who can’t exercise their mouths.
Cant comment for Veitch. As for Deaker I applaud his decision to retire and congratulate him on the pleasure he has given lots of sports fans over the 20+ years of his weekly TV show. I watched his final appearance where he replayed his favourite interviews, it seemed to me he gave women equal time, interviewing to some great sports women like Devoy, Roe, Faumoina and others. It was a great show if you are a sports fan. So from me, thank you and go well Deaks.
PS Could he do? He at-least tried, got to his level, and as a consequence had a good handle on his subject. And as a sports interviewer he succeeded admirably, check the ratings.
Ennui, you must be joking. What you have written reminds me of the rubbish that was printed after “Sir” Paul Holmes died; i.e. you have either forgotten or are deliberately repressing what an offensive, racist, and just plain uninformed sports commentator Deaker was.
Your bit about his treatment of women is extremely misleading, given the comments he made and encouraged on his show, and his defiant re-hiring of Boot-boy Veitch.
I’m preparing a retrospective of “Deaks”, which I’ll have up in the next few days.
How much longer are we going to see these establishment guys defending, supporting and promoting guys who are rape culture role models?!!
Veitch back on air; Radio Live defending Tamihere & Jackson (FFS, if the girls were under age it’s statutory rape, whether they were drinking or not! What’s wrong with those guys?!)
And, as Martyn Bradbury posted, the police are quick to jump on the vigilantes, but not so quick to follow up the rape allegations.
yes, the Police have indicated that protection would be assigned to the ‘roasters’ if their safety was at risk.
Willie and JT are on the radio right now, trying to justify their disgusting interview yesterday.
Can’t justify what is not justifiable. Tamihere is a misogynist … Labour should never let him back as an MP.
I am for rehabilitation but there also need to be consequences. I am involved in sport as my business and change channels if he is on. Actually its when I reacquainted myself with nat radio.
Coming up this week on Al Jazeera 101 East: The promo today talked about NZ’s very high prison stats, and that Maori are majorly over-represented in NZ prisons:
101 East airs each week at the following times GMT: Thursday: 2230; Friday: 0930; Saturday: 0330; Sunday: 1630.
The title: “Locked up Warriors” and the photo with it, indicates they are borrowing from the movie: “Once Were Warriors”.
Too much of what our “Justice” system is doing to Maori and Pasifika under 30 just perpetuates the cycle of crime. The fact that Justice and Corrections are also being asked to try and compensate for the severe failings in our social-economy is also a crime in of itself.
minify was stopping the comments/opinions tab on the right on firefox. Turned off.
some sensitive moderation occurring Lynn
I see that. However it appears to be pretty much targeting you. I’d advise resetting the router to pick up a different IP.
targeting you, as well as the Norts and Southers, Rogue
“When Rogue Trooper arrived at Fort Neuropa he discovered that everyone was suffering from “Siege Mentality” ( and neglecting their Robe-Runners…)”
well, what else can a Trooper do…
Avenge his buddies and find out the truth, of course
been thinking about Dunners…visited there a few times…bigger city, more scope for employment…interests…less heat…, lotsa’ hills though for a cyclist…and competition for work…sigh…still, it is being discussed. (coulda’ mailed you, but hey…Forgettaboutit! )
It’s a nice spot and there are definitely opportunities down here, often niche but talent is always appreciated. I think this will be one of the renaissance cities of the 21st century
seems to be some hyper-sensitive moderation Captcha occurring this morning
Ok. That is triggered from akismet. I removed one layer (cloudflare). But I also changed a few params on the conditional captcha so they’d go to moderation and I could have a look at them.
(of course got to work and immediately ran out of time to look at them. Doing release work. *sigh*)
Ta. seems remedied now. (given any more thought to that rough bastard file…)
may be some chastisement for slacking off to a Lighter work-load
more from russell brand:
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/nov/05/russell-brand-democratic-system-newsnight
(excerpt:..)
“..He more than any of us – is aware that politicians are frauds.
I’ve not spent too much time around them – only on the telly –
– it’s not pleasant;
– once you’ve been on Question Time – and seen Boris simpering under a make-up brush –
– it’s difficult to be enthusiastic about politics..”
phillip ure..
nicely written if slightly overlong, will keep things fizzing with several references RB makes
test, seems to be some hyper-sensitive moderation captcha occurring Lynn
and just for some more good news:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/9365915/Economy-set-to-fly-says-Westpac
Into Westpac’s pockets?
Nz looking bad in another oecd ranking… only ahead of greece for percentage of income required for accomodation…
despite high employment disposable income below oecd average. That would be a fail under national standards.
http://m.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11152041
Didnt john key say one of the reasons for his ecomic plan was so we dont end up like greece?
Yeah, rents are so high, it is absolutely unbeliveable.
well, we do have an abundance of ruined buildings…
…to haunt us
Sort of like Greece, but without the grand history and scale.
Millsy
I was so pleased to see deaker finally go imagine my horror at his replacement. It wasnt a well kept secret. As soon as I heard veitch was on saturday I knew what was coming…
and people wonder why ewe have young men trashing on girls and women. None so blind as those who will not see.
Journalists are the new terrorists in the UK:
http://www.globalresearch.ca/police-state-britain-uk-security-services-can-decide-if-journalism-is-terrorism/5356726
Good write up of that over at No Right Turn:
So the exact same thing can happen here.
Have just read today’s Bowalley Road post on KiwiAssure in which Chris Trotter argues that caucus is still wobbly.
Two salient quotes-
” In David Cunliffe Labour now has a leader who is willing to be as radical as his party. Significantly, it is the third leg of the tripod – the Labour Caucus – which is visibly wobbling. The KiwiAssure policy is a worrying case in point. Radical in intent, radical in expression, but disappointingly conservative in execution”
“At the conference just concluded a distressingly large number of Labour MPs put on a display of childish pique that bodes very ill for the party’s future.”
childishness displayed on both sides of the House.
“but disappointingly conservative in execution”
Example?
Weka, Trotter’s ‘ example’ (?) is a brief critique of the policy around KiwiAssure, and is not too different from some mainstream commentary I’ve read: a quote to save you reading it for yourself
“the average Labour supporter might well object: “What on earth is the point of a state-owned insurance company that will, in every respect that matters, be indistinguishable from its private sector competitors?”
Given the fate of AMI, that same voter might also ask what would motivate the ordinary Kiwi family to put its faith (not to mention its future financial security) in a state-owned insurer that not even its own creator is willing to stand behind?…”
yep. I wrote similar yesterday. If KiwiAssure relies on the same foreign re-insurers as today’s crop of insurance companies does, and not the sovereign balance sheet and money creation potential of the Crown, then its unfortunately not much more than a front shop being set up.
The NZ Herald editorial on the subject has it 80% right I think.
Yeah. It really skewers the (I thought perfect) example I came up with for why a state insurer would be better than the private ones: people in CHCH are stuck in a fight over liability between the insurers and EQC, where state-owned insurer could just pay the money and do the paperwork later. But if actually the state-owned insurer is just the same as a private one, that potential benefit vanishes.
In plain English you appear to be saying that David Cunliffe is simply being a populist wanker by trotting out ‘the insurance company’ as a flagship Labour policy,
For the reasons given above, especially Cunliffe’s ignorance of the Government’s ability to provide it’s own capital needs as far as spreading of the risk after a major event goes does seem to take more than a little of the gloss of such a firms ownership…
Or, you could read this:
http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/2013/11/06/gordon-campbell-on-why-we-need-a-kiwi-owned-insurance-company-and-the-tpp/
some good stuff by Gordon Campbell on the web
“Populist” is code for, “How dare a politician actually do anything that the majority want”!!
It shows how much contempt many politicians, and their media hacks, have for democracy.
It may slow down the transfer of our wealth to a few at the top.
Two Out Of Three Ain’t Enough
And, yeah, it’s a good column. Labour, despite their new leader and the enthusiasm of its membership ain’t yet the radical party it needs to become.
Heard key telling Cunliffe that he could be needing life insurance himself at some time. Sounded like a threat to me.
oooooh.
in the interests of accuracy..key was talking about the ‘life’ of cunnliffes’ leadership of parliament..
..he wasn’t physically threatening cunnliffe..
..phillip ure..
ahem..!..make ‘parliament’..’the labour party’..
phillip ure..
Hes lucky, if he (Cunliffe) had said to me that I’d sell my own mother he’d be tasting my fist but fortunately for Cunliffe John Key doesn’t stoop to that level
ooooo, you’re ever so butch
Gosh. I didn’t know online aliases had fists.
And just like he’s doing with every flawed utterance from Key, Cunliffe would chew up and spit out your fist.
Yes I’m sure hes a big man referencing John Keys mother the way he did, just shows the type of person he is really (not that the people on here could ever see that)
Cunliffe could be worse.
He could do a slit-throat gesture towards the opposition while normal humans are getting over the drama that had just played out above them.
Oh Glee , we are not immune to you telling us more…
Puckish Rogue@15.3.3.1 – Come on. Have a heart. What about Hone’s mother ????
Not even Hannibal Lecter would taste your stupid fist, PR. Get a grip.
Stinkfist
I’m looking forward to Labour crushing Trademe too. The fees are too high and it’s just a giant corporate only worried about its shareholders. I’m sure everyone will switch to KiwiTrade to keep them honest.
Same goes with Xero. A billion dollar company once again only pleasing shareholders. KiwiAccounts is another great business Labour could get in to.
Come to mention it, McDonalds is just taking all it’s money overseas. KiwiBurger is something real everyday New Zealanders could afford!
KiwiBurger is already a registered trademark in the fast food industry.
Ah, a RWNJ with the usual level comprehension of economics to be expected from such – none.
But hey, can’t live without Trade Me, the govt should def take that over.
Nationalising TradeMe is one I agree with but that’s because it’s a natural monopoly.
I can live without trademe.
On Campbell Live last night John had an interview with Steven Joyce Re the failing film industry. After the frenetic Simon Bridges and ditto John Key I was surprised that Mr Joyce seemed to listen to the questions (rather long) and answer in reasonably concise manner. Sounded reasonable even though I have a prejudice against the smug Joyce but….
ahhhh yes, Mr Joyce, unable to transfer the subsidies to Warner Bros. to the small end of the film-making industry, yet bending over backwards to the extraction industries, surveys, legislation…
Must think we have cloth for ears and buttons for eyes.
joyce..like collins..is in full campaign mode..
..to be the successor to key..
..and as such..like collins..both having been in full sneer-mode for five long years..
..have both now taken on the sysiphian-task/are making that giant leap ..
..to appear to be human..
..i find joyce trying to be ‘nice’ decidedly oleaginous in nature/result/outcome..
..whereas collins flashing her thin-lipped smile/grimace..
..is just downright scary..
..(and has been known to make dogs howl/hens stop laying….)
phillip ure..
see the dompost this a.m. for a letter saying that finning sharks is sustainable.
I dont think so but hey.
prove me wrong.
soo Nick Smith on Midday Report is claiming New Zealand import more building materials to address the 30% premium on price New Zealand sourced-materials have over Australian equivalents, and, wait for it, …. for builders to advise customers of kickbacks (rebates) they have received from suppliers. Good Oh, (builders not too chuffed, as rebates relate to bulk supplies not individual specs, and equivalent to sales incentives in other industries and professions ). Will physicians, hairdressers and panel-beaters be required to do the same in the future, in a Totalitarian state near you.
postscript- And the Conservatory missing from the plans? Fletchers.
Doesn’t explain why NZ ‘sourced’ building materials are 2/3 the price in Australia.
Maybe we should just re-import NZ building materials from OZ.
Ah. Whoops.
Or. We can just borrow more to buy more short lived poor quality crap from China.
Then borrow more again in ten years to replace and repair it as we repeat the leaky building saga.
And replace our builders with dodgy cheap untrained foreigners. Oop’s we do that already as most of the good tradesmen have gone to Australia where they get paid. Instead of being limited to peanuts an hour by Fletchers stranglehold on Christchurch..
If you really want to know why building is expensive here, look at the middlemen.
Ask why it costs less to build a house in Oz even though builders earn twice as much.
China will be happy to lend us the money to buy more of their short lived poor quality crap. A happy money go round, as we exhaust our world’s resources on throwaway materials.
The way things are, China is probably lending us money to buy our own resources.
Ahhh yes the beautiful money go-round. Great if you are in the 1%.
Something new from Labour :
KiwiKai
It will replace all these nasty multinationals who are poisoning us with their terrible food and taking all the money overseas.
KiwiKai will serve delicious meals approved by every health board, lobby group in the country. Delicious.
Labour will spend 14 million dollars building a website where people can see the menu. Another 9 million on developing fun apps for the iphone and Android ecosystem. Kids will be able to log in and play awesome games that shows them how healthy their dinner will be.
To order, kiwis will just need to file a form 36 working days before they want their awesome takeaways. Orders will be delivered using public transport only.
KiwiKai – keeping kiwi families healthy.
Can someone get rid of this F**king TR0LL, it’s fruitloop comments have become less than the height of stupidity…
LOL, don’t worry about a red horse that has obviously kicked itself in the head. It’s clearly lost it’s rider but I’m sure Key will wager a cool 50 bucks on it…
+1
Is this your 3rd form English political satire project?
C- (and it’s off to the knacker’s yard with you!)
Bloody good idea. Kick McD’s and their disgusting food and employment practices into touch. Ha Ha.
Is it dead yet? Can we flog it?
such a Silly Thing , or Something Else
This is an ad that has been circulating through social media. Alarming!
http://www.listener.co.nz/commentary/the-internaut/national-1972-%E2%80%9Cnigger%E2%80%9D-campaign-ad-clearly-implausible-%E2%80%93-but-where-did-it-come-from/
Ever wondered why the labour party is so loudly opposed to apartheid?
Ever wondered why lazy good for nothing maoris and islanders are defended by the labour party?
Ever wondered why the labour party want more Kenyan wogs let into the country?
Ever wondered why the labour party side with the viet cong?
– because they’re soft on niggers
– of any colour – black niggers – brown niggers – yellow niggers
You name it and Norm Kirk will be prostrating himself before them?
Vote National the white man’s party!
OK – further investigation – just some massey students having a bit of a lark!
http://www.listener.co.nz/commentary/the-internaut/revealed-national-1972-%E2%80%9Cnigger%E2%80%9D-campaign-advertisement-source/
So ….. ignore!
Ever wonder why people who seem to have had full frontal lobotomy’s posting shit like this are given the kick off of the Standard…
This has done the rounds on the standard before and, last time if I recall, was given significantly more credence. No need to get grumpy.
Thanks. My apologies … was too late in trying to delete.
“Cunliffe called Key the “Kiwi-spoiler,” someone who had beaten up on Kiwbank when it first started, KiwiSaver, KiwiRail and now KiwiAssure.
Key responded on KiwiBank. Yes it was a good little business.
“I might point out though this it has taken $860 million of taxpayers’ money and it has never paid a dividend in 10 years.”
He challenged Cunliffe to name another bank operating in New Zealand that had an insurance company, and offered insurance on the same property they were lending on.
“They do not do that.”
Cunliffe: “Is he aware that ASB Bank own Tower Insurance? If he is, why is he asking such a stupid question.”
Within minutes of Cunliffe’s comment, National’s research unit – or perhaps a few friends in the insurance industry – had got the message to Key that Cunliffe was wrong.
ASB did not own Tower. They sent the list of owners. Key tried to read through the list.
Eventually Labour’s deputy, David Parker, and possibly the source of his leader’s error, did the honourable thing and acknowledged the error by asking Key: “Has he received any advice that ASB in fact own Sovereign Assurance?”
Key: “Yes it does own Sovereign and let us get to the better bit…Sovereign provides life insurance, and the way [Cunliffe] is going, he will need life insurance.”
D’oh!
Ouch, that’s bad…
if it was not for the reality that Brownlee and Key had to hold up proceedings and bully the speaker to achieve their pyrrhic victory; really PR, is that all you have today, are we to go to bed hungry without any supper?
Correct me if I’m wrong, but hasn’t KiwiBank been making a profit for the last few years? My understanding was that it’s profits have been helping to prop up NZ Post (which should have always remained a Government department, and certainly should never have had unfair competition forced upon it, whereby it is at a disadvantage because it has statutory social obligations).
Besides that, there’s more to government than making a profit. One of the main purpose of KiwiBank was to introduce government-owned competition into the market to drive down unnecessary fees – something which it has achieved well.
Labour policy- the man ban is merely following Key’s own policy of closely stacking front bench parliamentary seats with women, while banning men to the back and sides. Abbotts man ban policy is significantly problematic as it conflicts with his single woman policy.
The Bruce Jesson talk is on line. Do other people know how to make it easily available.
I haven’t tried but with my expertise I will probably not succeed.
Do you have a link to it?
Thanks, I have a link. Will post it.
More good news
http://www.ssc.govt.nz/kiwis-count-update-jun13
well that’s obscure. You’re that hard up for trumpets to blow that you’ll pucker you lips for a 1-point improvement in the june year public service satisfaction rate?
No wonder you chose the nom de byte “puckish”.
Let’s just call him freckle.
and Chide
i laughed
“A little bit insipid….”
Godawful new Hobbit song fails to impress as Panel plumbs new low
The Panel, Radio NZ National, Wednesday 6 November 2013
Paul Brennan, Joe Bennett, Ellen Read
Long-suffering listeners to The Panel have been assailed by some utterly disgusting, insultingly shallow and banal aural dreck over the last eight years. Just off the top of my head, I recall the cruel laughter directed by the likes of Chris Trotter at victims of state repression; the mad anti-democracy rants by Michelle Boag; the snarling attempts at character assassination by Dr Michael “Bonkers” Bassett; the honking hypocrisy of lawyer and former ACT MP Stephen Franks, a spokesman for the knife-loving S.S. Trust, lecturing in tones of heightened gravitas about modern “wickedness”; the halfwitted observations of Nevil “Breivik” Gibson; the insane raving of Christine (Spankin’) Rankin; and the haughty denunciation of “these people” (Egyptians) by Rosemary McLeod.
But, even bearing in mind all of that depravity and mediocrity, I believe that the nadir was reached at 4:45 this afternoon. For some reason, producer Susan Balducci saw fit to play thirty seconds of “I See Fire”, a dire, plodding, tuneless dirge by Ed Sheeran, written for the latest New Zealand taxpayer-funded Peter Jackson snore-fest The Desolation of Smaug. After what seemed like thirty MINUTES of sub-Chris Rea pap, there was an uneasy silence in the studio. Realising that he was expected to say something vaguely supportive about the dog, Joe Bennett showed uncharacteristic restraint and said: “It’s not to my taste.” Not even Ellen Read, who is a diehard supporter of the dodgy deal foisted on the National Government by Warner Bros. that has led to such truly terrible “product”, could work herself up into defending this one. After an uncomfortable pause, she delivered her verdict: “It’s a little bit insipid.”
Susan Baldacci, a little taken aback by the lack of respect for this piece of shit, lamely explained that Sheeran had written the dirge for the end credits—“which is not where they’re going to play a real rocker”. She got no support from Paul Brennan, obviously as appalled as Bennett and Read.
———————-
If, like me, you’ve been of the opinion for the last decade or so that the song Céline Dion sang for Titanic was the worst in the history of the movies, then you may change your mind after you click on THIS….
http://metro.co.uk/2013/11/05/listen-to-ed-sheerans-the-hobbit-the-desolation-of-smaug-song-i-see-fire-4175112/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtofmBwUhWU#t=242
– Paula Bennet telling it like it is
“Telling it like it is.” Chris, your loyalty is of the same order as that desperately mugging Hamilton West MP behind Bennett—unstinting and clearly uncritical.
Since you obviously respect her, or pretend to at least, maybe you should tell her that every time she says something cruel or dishonest, she puts on another kilogram.
Its amusing how quickly the left descend to personal attacks when they hear something they don’t like so are you saying theres something wrong with being overweight? That if shes overweight she can’t do her job?
You can attack her policies, her views etc etc but attacking her over her weight is a bit, well desperate really
Women have enough hurdles to overcome (especially in politics) without people like you expecting them to live up to some (probably impossible) body image
I’ll trust you not to take Morrissey as speaking for anyone but his deluded self.
I’ll trust you not to take Morrissey as speaking for anyone but his deluded self.
“Deluded”? How so? You’d better explain carefully and clearly why you’re suddenly in Camp Bennett, so as to dispel the impression that you are irresponsible and lazy.
Piss off Morrissey you twisted fuck.
Piss off Morrissey you twisted fuck.
That only makes you look irresponsible, lazy, and foul-mouthed to boot.
Come ON, felix….
http://static.businessinsider.com/image/4e04eb144bd7c8d819110000/image.jpg
“Thinking Morrisseey is a deluded fuckwit” does not equal “Supporting Paula Bennett”.
Believing those two statements to be equal is to be deluded.
Was that explanation clear enough?
“Thinking Morrisseey [sic] is a deluded fuckwit” does not equal “Supporting Paula Bennett”. Believing those two statements to be equal is to be deluded.
Was that explanation clear enough?
No it was not good enough, as I’m sure you knew perfectly well as you sent that ill-advised, illogical message of support for our struggling friend into the blogosphere. You foolishly decided to back a surefire loser by coming in behind felix’s indolent exercise in abuse. I advise you to desist from this path, my flocculent friend; we all know you never prosper in these exchanges.
QED
Indeed.
Cancel that nasty message I posted about you being untrustworthy; your gracious admission of defeat shows you are indeed the gallant we always suspected you were.
I’d watch out if I was you, your comment is getting awfully close to saying you *wned someone, which is something that lprent highly frowns upon.
If it were up to me, Morrissey would’ve been banned months ago.
Close, but not quite there. Not like this one from my work field where someone traced a vessel course with the word below…
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-24586394
…your comment is getting awfully close to saying you *wned someone…
This is very awkward. I receive a gracious concession by my friend and occasional adversary felix. I try to behave like a gentleman, and acknowledge his good manners—and I find I’ve blundered into another minefield.
Lower down this thread, two more people have coyly rolled their eyes in the submission posture; I have also politely saluted their good manners. Could you explain how that makes me the one in the wrong here?
It is pretty simple. Claiming victory in an environment where the best that can be hoped for is “..agree to disagree..” merely starts flamewars of the na-nah-de-dah type that are so common when you listen to the playgrounds of primary schools. One side claims “victory” / “owns” / “pwned” and resolutely holds to that. The other sides pour derision. And it escalates….
Eventually I have to wander to crack heads as the shrill screaming of the children disturbs the adults and they start to defend their offspring..In fact school sports matches often descend into this.
I find that grabbing the first person to claim victory and exiling them for some time works wonders at reducing my workload. Which is of course my primary motivation. My secondary is that I don’t have to read the boring squealing.
So argue all that you like. But to try to claim victory without a very explicit statement from the other person (something that I see maybe 5 times a year here) and you will find this is a very dangerous business. Start gloating and (as you say it) you find the site becomes a minefield…
Your answer is irrelevant to the question.
You really are in a wee universe all to yourself.
‘The Breen Delusion’. Heh, catchy.
I know, I’m probably on his list now…
Ha! Any port in a storm, eh, Chris?
(Friendly warning, my friend: check carefully who you go into temporary alliances with. The fellow you shared a little joke with just now is not someone you can trust.)
I think you might be taking this all a bit too seriously…
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7G6ciJUMuAk/SoD9uG78PTI/AAAAAAAAANI/6BtwSHhMZoY/s1600-h/not+sure+if+serious.jpg
Yeah, just a smidge.
But Chris I bet all those staving beneficiaries are finding it hard to take instruction from someone who can’t even control how much she puts in her mouth.
Thanks for the support, mon amie. Call me a susceptible ninny, but I’m always chuffed when a woman rolls her eyes coyly like that.
Thanks, Lanthanide. I appreciate your support.
Not impressed, Morrissey. This week a lot of women are really finding it tough in the face of a lot of abusive, gender-loaded stuff flying about. In this context, your attempt at laddish (or is it pseudo-laddish) humour is just plain nasty.
+1
Ill-judged.
+1.
This writer, i.e. moi, should have focused on Ms Bennett’s malice and hypocrisy, and not linked it to her weight issue.
Also see his comment at 7:00am today above.
TV3 are doing a proper job regarding exposing how inadequate the police have been regarding their management of the gang of young thugs.
I missed the first minute of the news, what I heard was enough.
What a brave person she is to have spoken out about making a complaint two years ago.
I support the police and believe that most of the police force are good people wanting to help and do the right thing
On this though the ball was dropped badly and I’d support an inquiry to see why it was so badly run and to make sure it didn’t happen in the future
and The Vote found the confidence of New Zealanders in their police force to have…
(clue: it is not risen…We all know who that concerns!).
My view is still the same as it ever was but they got this majorly wrong
I cannot support a service when they are incapable of stringing facts together to prevent people from being dismissed when a serious crime has occurred.
Is there something wrong in NZ in how those who investigate rape are being trained and supervised?
“On this though the ball was dropped badly”
Nah, not dropped. Handed off. Or kicked for touch, perhaps.
I was about to say unbelievable. But it’s not…
http://www.3news.co.nz/Roast-Busters-victim-asked-to-re-enact-alleged-rape/tabid/423/articleID/320311/Default.aspx#.UnnT1CehsiI
So everything the police have said this week is a lie. Not wrong, not mistaken, an out and out lie.
1. A 13 year old laid a complaint of rape in 2011.
2. The Police said there was not enough evidence to prosecute.
3. The Police began monitoring the accused on facebook.
4. The accused admitted to the victim, on facebook, that everything she said was 100% true.
5. The Police say they don’t have enough evidence to prosecute.
6. The Police say no one has been brave enough to come forward.
+ 1 Yep all a big lie from start to finish – the lying fucks – meanwhile how many young women and girls have suffered because of our police? How many? Fucken bastards those police that sat on this shit.
Hard not to be thinking about Louise Nicholas at this point. Both because of the culture within in the NZ Police that she exposed (the word misogynistic seems entired inadequate), and because of the amount of work she did to change rape culture in NZ. The difference in dialogue now compared to then is huge.
Fuck the police.
I’m in the wrong part of the country for this, but I wish someone would organise a national day of action and solidarity. Can’t help but feel there is an opportunity here to make some real change.
Good idea weka about the day of action – hard to organise from Mohua but we will be marching on that day for sure. I have the utmost respect and admiration for Louise Nicholas – she is a hero in my eyes. I hope things change – but I am feeling rage at the moment, rage that the police whom we entrust have let those young women and girls down so badly. I expect deeper and worse revelations on this one.
(i’m logged in – why am I being asked to log in to comment?)
Weka, a day of action has been organised.
23 November
On various localised Facebook pages. I did tweet @SlutWalknz asking if it was being publicised anywhere other than Facebook.
Haven’t had a reply.
Thanks karol!
There’s one already jailed for hiding police rape. Dewar. Probably paroled by now. Living quite nicely on a handsome super somewhere like Little Waihi or Wanaka.
Like the one who proved to be Teina Poara’s evil angel.
“Would it help if I pointed a house out Teina…….?”
I do find the trial by media a bit of a concern.
Buoyed by this weeks events and ratings, I do wonder who Media works is going to set their sights on next.
If no one has crossed the line or proven to have not done a proper investigation there is nothing for them to worry about.
We could have a trial by judges if the fucking useless police did their fucking jobs.
But they don’t seem to want to when it comes to rape for some reason, so trial by media it is, until the fucking police, start to do, their fucking job.
Really?, that’s a bit of a dangerous path you want to go down.
What, the path of the rule of law?
No trial by media, especially one owned by BIG BUSINESS
Pb was pretty clear that’s not the path he wants to go down – quite the opposite in fact.
You’d have had to have read the whole two sentences to figure that out though.
idk what the hell he means. Big Busines is pro-rape? Is that a thing now?
Just when you thought that it couldn’t get any worse, it gets worse.
It turns out that the pigs knew all along:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/9367982/Rape-complaint-after-Roast-Busters-teen-says
But of course one was the son of a pig and another the son of a celebrity.
In case you didn’t know, this is proof of endemic corruption.
I’m probably insulting those of the bacon-flavoured kind, aren’t I?
Porcine references-wise, pigs get a bad rap. Cops, on the other hand, are often assholes. I think Anne’s link above is really the coup de grace. Asking the 13 y/o to re-enact with mannequins? Oyy… nk
Anyway, as far as I see it, at least as the 13 y/o complainant is concerned, they don’t need much beyond the act of penetration and the admission of having done so by 1 or more of these guys to secure a conviction for sexual conduct with someone under the age of 16. Of course, if these videos that were posted online actually do exist, they would assist the evidential matrix.
No doubt the boys will be lawyered up with the likes of Paul Mabey QC and whoever the spiritual successor to John Haigh is pretty quickly, and various girls involved will end up being subject to a lengthy defended hearing or hearings and humiliating cross-examination. Maybe just me but perhaps some sort of ADR might be more fruitful for the girls and their families?
The pigs?, Man of your age, that’s just sad, fool.
You’re right, Bowel Movement – likening pigs to police is grossly unfair to pigs.
What ever arse wipe, the only one around here who’d be acting like a pig would be you,squealing away while your socialist mates root you up the jacksey.
Ooh, homophobia. How witty. Now how about content please?
Oh come on BM, kissy kissy, mwah mwah! Try harder!
Come on bud whats with this pigs shit.
The vast majority of people gave that wankery up once they hit their 20’s, what are you 50+?, to be carry on like some teenager is pretty fucking tragic.
to be carry on like some teenager is pretty fucking tragic.
Indeed – I couldn’t have said it better myself. Well, actually I could, with better grammar.
You don’t get it, do you, BM? You think that you’re a troll, but you’re a toy. Keep posting please.
BM objects to calling cops pigs, but just yesterday he makes this racist statement . Get off your high horse BM…
Hi Fender, somehow I don’t think that BM’s limited set of intellectual skills includes self-awareness or consistency. Still, as a toy, he’s fun to play with.
He’s gone rather quiet, guess he’s changing his engine mounts again…
Pity the heads’ cracked….
Well, that’s a bit disappointing. I may be a pointy-headed intellectual, but I do like my childish pleasures now and again.
I guess it’s off to bed then. G’night to you.
You’re ugly and your mother dresses you funny. There, let’s be done with it. It’s about as relevant, after all.
Bloody typical – makes the overture and then won’t follow through.
I call them ngati poaka. How sad is that?
The hillbillies in Deliverance were all registered Republicans.
How about this:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/207530/Hales-looked-at-second-police-file
Familiar name?
Looks like the blue slime don’t learn and continue to look after their own.
World’s Worst-Chosen Words Award – Mayor of Toronto talking to reporters: “I want to make it crystal clear………..”
That is pretty funny.
heh
…that I’m standing as Mayor for Boulder.
…or Little Rock.
Defending our lawful rights to ‘open, transparent and democratically-accountable’ local government:
I have been granted ‘speaking rights’ at the ‘ public input section of the 7 November Governing Body meeting commencing at 10.00am in the Reception Lounge, Auckland Town Hall’.
” You will be allocated five minutes in total to speak on the following subjects:
· The apparent lack of ‘due diligence’, failure to address the increased risk of money-laundering in the Auckland Council submission on the International Convention Centre Bill.
· Potential consequences if Auckland Council fails to uphold the RULE OF LAW regarding the statutory requirement under the Public Records Act 2005 s.17.
· Perceived ‘conflicts of interest’ in the ‘inquiry’ into the conduct of Mayor Len Brown.”
_____________________________________________________________________________
My request for speaking rights:
4 November 2013
‘Open Letter’ request for speaking rights at the Auckland Council Governing Body meeting to be held on Thursday 7 November 2013 at 10am at the Reception Lounge, Auckland Town Hall:
Good afternoon …….,
I would like to address the Auckland Council Governing Body meeting to be held on Thursday 7 November 2013, at 10am at the Auckland Town Hall, in ‘Public forum’.
My subject matter will be:
1) The apparent lack of ‘due diligence’, failure to address the increased risk of money-laundering in the Auckland Council submission on the International Convention Centre Bill, as outlined in the following Regulatory Impact Statement:
http://www.pennybright4mayor.org.nz
2) Potential consequences if Auckland Council fails to uphold the RULE OF LAW regarding the statutory requirement under the Public Records Act 2005 s.17
http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2005/0040/latest/DLM345729.html
Recordkeeping requirements
Subpart 1—Key duties
17 Requirement to create and maintain records
(1)Every public office and local authority must create and maintain full and accurate records of its affairs, in accordance with normal, prudent business practice, including the records of any matter that is contracted out to an independent contractor.
(2) Every public office must maintain in an accessible form, so as to be able to be used for subsequent reference, all public records that are in its control, until their disposal is authorised by or under this Act or required by or under another Act.
(3) Every local authority must maintain in an accessible form, so as to be able to be used for subsequent reference, all protected records that are in its control, until their disposal is authorised by or under this Act.
3) Perceived ‘conflicts of interest’ in the ‘inquiry’ into the conduct of Mayor Len Brown.
ie: The fact that Auckland Council CEO Doug McKay, Ernst and Young and Nigel Morrison (CEO of Sky City) are all members of the unelected, very powerful private lobby group – the Committee for Auckland, who arguably are not unhappy with the performance of Mayor Len Brown.
http://www.committeeforauckland.co.nz membership
Kind regards,
Penny Bright
‘Anti-corruption/anti-privatisation Public Watchdog’
“Based on information revealed tonight on the way underage sexual violation case has been handled, we will be referring it to the IPCA.” – Jacinda Ardern.
I half expect them to say that only police actions can be complained about, and they didn’t take any in this case. As far as not treating the case any differently because one of their sons was involved – how would they have acted if one of the 13 year old girls was one of their daughters?
Had a mate of a mate personally and properly sort the young guys out, at a quick guess.
I think you credit these sick fucks with too much humanity.
Humanity doesn’t need to come into it, Felix. Think patriarchy and property rights.
True dat
Good question.
I’d be thinking they’d be acting with speed and intent to show how very seriously indeed they take reports of sexual violence.