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Open Mike 07/03/2018

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, March 7th, 2018 - 89 comments
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89 comments on “Open Mike 07/03/2018 ”

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  1. eco maori 1
    7 March 2018 at 6:25 am

    ECO MAORIs Kiwi Bank ac 389019048573100 Please help me to sort the nz police out

    I decided against trying to use PayPal to receive donations .I decided to copy
    Thestandards safe way of appealing and receiving donations I set up a Kiwi Bank AC
    So he tangata the people of Aoteraoroa New Zealand who support ECO MAORI can use internet banking to make donations and know that there bank accounts are safe after they have made a donation . ECO MAORI will use the donations to SUE the nz police for all the breaches to mine and my Whano Privacy Rights & Human Rights a lot of people can see this has been happening to ECO MAORI when I win my case I will set up a
    Charitable Trust and I will pay the money that I used and any extra donations into this Trust account and appeal to anyone else in Aoteraoroa who need help with finance to SUE the nz police for there in justices I will copy bank statements on this site to let he tangata the people know that ECO MAORI has Honest Honorable and transparent intentions to use your hard earned Putea Money. .
    Kia Kaha Ka kite ano

    • eco maori 1.1
      7 March 2018 at 6:40 am

      Good morning The Am show on TV3
      Duncan you think that because the justice administration failed to provided a Judge with the relevant information on that case and the wrong choice was made to give that person bail and he killed that girl your logical way to solve the problem is to lock up more people keep the bail laws or worst strengthen them and build more jails .
      My logical solution is that the Justice administration need to make sure that all relevant is presented to the judge before the Judge grants bail NO. Ana to kai.
      Ka kite ano

      • eco maori 1.1.1
        7 March 2018 at 7:19 am

        There is another person who made moves against ECO MAORI to stop the process that could have end my farcical challenges by the sand flies .I will be wiping that smile off his face . Ana to kai.
        I say that Simon Bridges was forced into building that 4 lane highway in Tauranga
        by shonky & joyce look joyce is still spinning his lies he was just a crafty puppet who served shonkys there broad band role out was a plan with peter thiel to use social media to keep national in power by cheating Ana to kai ka kite ano

    • eco maori 1.2
      7 March 2018 at 8:08 am

      Rock Rumble radio good on you Bruce for getting involved in Joe Parker fight. Ka kite ano

  2. WILD KATIPO 2
    7 March 2018 at 7:48 am

    The Big Three gone, … Key , English and Joyce.

    ‘ So , its goodnight from Me and its goodnight from them’…

    And there will be many more goodnight’s from the National party now Hooton has been unleashed.

    two ronnies – YouTube
    Video for well it’s goodnight from me and goodnight from him you tube▶ 1:30

  3. Ad 3
    7 March 2018 at 7:52 am

    Are beginning to warm to Collins as Shadow FInance?

    • gsays 3.1
      7 March 2018 at 7:59 am

      Not often you get warm and Collins in the same sentence.

      • Robert Guyton 3.1.1
        7 March 2018 at 8:08 am

        “Collins” and “shadow” however, go together like 2 Ronnies.

      • Puckish Rogue 3.1.2
        7 March 2018 at 9:14 am

        Oh I don’t know, shes a fine looking women with a considerable intellect and a down to earth pragmatism married with strong leadership qualities

        • mac1 3.1.2.1
          7 March 2018 at 9:30 am

          Not much warmth in there……. so, really, PR, you do know.

          FYI, ‘warmth’ can mean ‘enthusiasm, kindness, affection’. Those are synonyms.

          Antonyms are things like ‘ruthlessness’ and ‘compassion’ which attributes the Journalist Lloyd Burr awarded Joyce’s replacement, Nicola Willis.

          Meanings of words do matter.

        • Keepcalmcarryon 3.1.2.2
          7 March 2018 at 9:53 am

          She has similar qualities to Jenny Shipley.
          That’s far from a compliment by the way.

          • Puckish Rogue 3.1.2.2.1
            7 March 2018 at 9:58 am

            No I don’t see a lot of JS in JC, JS always seemed to come across as a bit smug/sanctimonious whereas JC has always come across as being in charge, a leader…someone you’d be willing, nay, want to follow

            • solkta 3.1.2.2.1.1
              7 March 2018 at 10:06 am

              One comes across as condescending, the other cruel and nasty.

              • Puckish Rogue …
                7 March 2018 at 10:17 am

                Its true a lot of people are intimidated by competent, confident, intelligent, attractive mature women

                Shame really

                • WILD KATIPO …
                  7 March 2018 at 10:22 am

                  Well that counts Collins out.

                  As for your comments ” JC has always come across as being in charge, a leader…someone you’d be willing, nay, want to follow ” … yeah I suppose people wanted to follow Genghis Khan for precisely the same reasons : they were put to death if they didn’t.

                  • Puckish Rogue …
                    7 March 2018 at 11:32 am

                    and people wonder why more women arn’t interested in going into politics

                    • WILD KATIPO …
                      7 March 2018 at 12:16 pm

                      And whys that , old bean?

                      Come on , spell it out for us all…

                      Is Sweetie Collins a snowflake too?

                    • Puckish Rogue …
                      7 March 2018 at 12:22 pm

                      Being that shes been an electorate (not list) MP for 15 years and stood for leader of National I’d suggest Jude is anything but a snowflake

                    • WILD KATIPO …
                      7 March 2018 at 12:59 pm

                      Well then , – that just goes to show that with her unfortunate yet longstanding political record , that it negates the former statement you made about her and women in general .

                      ” and people wonder why more women arn’t interested in going into politics ”

                      Oh , and btw ? … if you are trying to infer women are the ‘fairer’ sex and therefore more delicate in the political arena? Here’s a grim dose of reality for you.

                      Dachau KZ: STUTTHOF CONCENTRATION CAMP PART 9/10
                      dachaukz.blogspot.com/2013/12/stutthof-concentration-camp-part-910.html

                    • Puckish Rogue …
                      7 March 2018 at 1:08 pm

                      Well done, I didn’t think you’d Godwin this but there you go

                    • WILD KATIPO …
                      7 March 2018 at 1:18 pm

                      Nothing Godwin about that my old son , and tell that to the victims descendants.

                      After all ‘ Godwins’ law was written by a computer geek who lived long after those horrific events. What is it to him who suffered?

                      Kind of takes the edge off that overly convenient and worn out catch all phrase for anything someone finds rather ‘ uncomfortable ‘ , doesn’t it.

                      That said , you messed up by feigning crocodile tears for women entering politics by trying to take the moral high ground. It failed. And it failed because we all could see it was a statement to further your cause, which was, … trumpeting the ‘moral virtues’ and ‘sterling’ political record of one Judith Collins.

                      When she was in fact , – stood down by John Key himself and humiliated by being sent to the back benches for alleged conflicts of interest over Orivida, – and also was strongly suspected of ‘water for free’ in exports to China, – as well as valuable Swamp Kauri worth millions. All done while using her position as MP in an incumbent govt.

                      Hardly a savory character to want to have as a ‘ leader’ ,… as you say.

            • Robert Guyton 3.1.2.2.1.2
              7 March 2018 at 10:38 am

              nay neigh!

        • Robert Guyton 3.1.2.3
          7 March 2018 at 9:58 am

          “Oh I don’t know”
          True!

          • mac1 3.1.2.3.1
            7 March 2018 at 12:14 pm

            Much more succinct, Robert Guyton, than my response. Same nil answer, though…

    • WILD KATIPO 3.2
      7 March 2018 at 8:12 am

      A tag team between Adams and Collins, according to Soper ,.. Judith Collins is the one with the master of law degree and a master of taxation studies…

  4. Adrian Thornton 4
    7 March 2018 at 8:36 am

    Aaron mate interviews Gideon Levy on The Real News…

    • WILD KATIPO 4.1
      7 March 2018 at 8:55 am

      ALL of what you are currently witnessing is a precursor . Thats all.

      All of the destruction , the slaughters , the rearranging of borders, the oil grabs and the convenience of keeping the globe in a state of tension benefiting politicians and munitions industry’s will be displaced when we have a global leader who will announce the historical location of the Temple of Israel.

      The compatibility of having the Dome of the Rock kept in its place and the rebuilding of the Jewish Temple on its original site will mean even the Muslims will be happy to assist Israel in its rebuild.

      But the good vibes, peace , love and natural foods wont go on forever when that event happens, as we will all see…

      What if the Temple Mount is not the Temple Mount? – YouTube
      Video for What if the Temple Mount is not the Temple Mount?▶ 48:24

    • Bill 4.2
      7 March 2018 at 9:44 am

      Thanks for that Adrian. Was kinda looking forward to “join us in part 2” – but can’t bloody well find it 🙂

  6. adam 6
    7 March 2018 at 11:03 am

    What is with these fires and the environmental impact?

    Be careful out there my fellow Aucklanders/Jaffas.

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12007957

    Edit:

    Those Aussies, sometimes they can be very good. Big ups to them for embracing Solar panels.

    http://www.climateactionprogramme.org/news/australia-installs-a-record-3.5-million-solar-panels-in-2017

    • weka 6.1
      7 March 2018 at 12:19 pm

      not the metal that’s burning though right? Clean green NZ.

      “The crews are also struggling to ensure there is enough water to fight the blaze,”

      That’s another interesting climate change context. Can you fight fires with sea water?

      • McFlock 6.1.1
        7 March 2018 at 12:39 pm

        Yes, but then there’s all the salt you’d be dumping on the land while doing so.

        And once the fire is inland by any decent distance, the problem is still “distance to nearest water source” for trucks and aircraft.

        • weka 6.1.1.1
          7 March 2018 at 1:18 pm

          Good point about the salt/land, although I’m guessing there’s a trade off to be had between that and letting noxious plastics and chemicals burn.

          Yes distance, I was thinking about places like Ak that are close enough to sea water.

      • adam 6.1.2
        7 March 2018 at 12:47 pm

        Short answer yes, but not electrical fires. Also the problem of equipment compatibility.

        It seems we are getting asked these questions more and more with rising temperatures. My guess a few more questions will be asked that we didn’t even think to ask.

        • weka 6.1.2.1
          7 March 2018 at 1:18 pm

          No water at all on electrical fires, or just no salt water?

          I think there are all sorts of questions we haven’t thought to ask yet.

          I notice they didn’t say why there was a shortage of water.

      • Exkiwiforces 6.1.3
        7 March 2018 at 4:28 pm

        To add further to McFlock’s, Salt is only use when there is no other source of water, as salt water tends to bugger up hoses, pumps and nozzles etc as well as the ground if a much is use on the same area as its a real pain in the ass to fix soil after the fire.

        • weka 6.1.3.1
          7 March 2018 at 6:19 pm

          fix the soil because of salt water use? I’m guessing fixing the soil after the chemicals too, or do they mostly burn off?

          • Exkiwiforces 6.1.3.1.1
            8 March 2018 at 2:01 pm

            Sorry for my late reply,

            Fixing the soil up after using salt water during a fire, can range from resting the affecting area ie. letting nature do its stuff, flushing/ irrigate the soil with fresh water or adding mineral’s to soil to break the down the salt via irrigation or spreading/ drilling/ ploughing the soil.

            The using of fire retardation is a of a double edge sword as most common fire retardations use in bush fires and most others depending on the type fuel have sticking argent which is design to smother fire. The red retardant that is commonly for Bush fires sticks to everything (I mean everything) and the effects can still be seeing years after the fire has gone though it. Its become stranded policy for NT Bush Fires for us on the fire line to abandon the fire line if this red stuff is used when we have Air Support.

            Most of the time we used Soap/ Foam capsule’s and it was the same when I was in the DOC High Country Fire Team in the 90’s as it was less expensive, but still required the hoses, pumps etc to be flush.

            PPAS foam is a bloody great fire retardant for Liquid fuel type fires and probably for most fires as well. But the ground has to soak with water to break down the fire retardant or contain with some of sort bunting (note that the use Bunting for PPAS after it become knowing if after its long terms effects to the environment) it if its use for training or in a urban environment.

            • weka 6.1.3.1.1.1
              8 March 2018 at 2:14 pm

              Yikes. I wasn’t even thinking about those chemicals. I meant the ones in the scrap metal fire from the cars (plastics mostly I guess).

              • Exkiwiforces …
                8 March 2018 at 2:36 pm

                Sometimes its better to let nature do its stuff or contain the fire and soak it with water in some cases.

    • Exkiwiforces 6.2
      7 March 2018 at 4:20 pm

      Yeah, the Ockers are embracing Solar panels, but there is a wee small problem happening.

      http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-03-07/solar-power-what-happens-when-theres-too-much/9522192

      • adam 6.2.1
        7 March 2018 at 4:38 pm

        That seems crazy. Mate of mine lives near where Tesla put in the batteries in SA. Said it has been great, no more blackouts.

        More storage is the key. Good news, storage is getting better all the time.

        • Exkiwiforces 6.2.1.1
          7 March 2018 at 5:26 pm

          They had a similar problem over in the Pilbara region with one of the mining towns can’t remember which one, where the locals went nuts with Solar power units and end blowing up a number sub- stations around the town to a point when the local power company put a ban on them from being install unless you had a battery unit install.

          If you are going to do solar power, you’ve got put battery storage in as well and its something that my soon to be wife and I look ATM. The cost ATM is around 30-40K AUS dollars all up, but I feel that the battery technology has to improve a bit my likening ATM as seen lithium batteries vent and the odd one explode with work and its something you really don’t need to be near one of those batteries go up in smoke.

          But in saying that its the way of the future as it gives you a lot of freedom and saves a lot money in the long run. For example one our friends here in Darwin are in Defence House with Solar Power and they are paying between 50 to 150 Aus dollars a quarter for their power! we are also in a Defence House as well with Solar Hot Water and we are between the high 200’s to the mid 300’s (our power usage doesn’t move that much between the Dry and Wet as we are bloody Nazis our power usage) a quarter for our power bills, where as some of our other friends are 700 plus a quarter.

  7. Draco T Bastard 7
    7 March 2018 at 11:04 am

    Media Release: 2.98 million fill in census online so far

    7 March 2018

    At midnight on census day 6 March, 2.98 million people had taken part in the census online.

    “This is a great result so far, and we’re delighted that so many people have done this,” 2018 Census general manager Denise McGregor said.

    “We aimed for 60 percent of those in New Zealand to complete it by midnight and we are very happy to have achieved this,” Mrs McGregor said.

    “It doesn’t take long to complete. People are taking an average of four minutes for the dwelling form and eight minutes for the individual form,” Mrs McGregor said.

    “We are confident that the results from the online responses will give us the best possible data.

    “There has been a huge effort and we thank staff and especially the field staff and community volunteers around the country,” Mrs McGregor said.

    Stats NZ has a target of 70 percent of all census forms being completed online by the end of the census collection period. People can still ask for a paper form by phoning census helpline (0800 236 787).

    From today, 7 March, we’re sending reminders and field teams will start following up with households to help them complete their forms.

    In some parts of New Zealand, for example the Far North, Great Barrier Island, the Ureweras, and Whanganui, field teams are visiting and delivering access codes and paper forms. This is to make sure people in remote parts of New Zealand have everything they need to complete the census over the next few days.

    Stats NZ’s online system remains open for several weeks, and from later next week, field teams will be visiting households that haven’t taken part. We expect to be following up for several weeks, which is usual for a census.

  8. cleangreen 8
    7 March 2018 at 11:57 am

    Can anyone shed some light on what has now happened about this investigation into “lobbyists????

    I heard a conversation on RNZ between (right winger) Susie Ferguson and (left winger) Brice Edwards about some results so does anyone know what the results are as to how the big Corporations have immense power over our government now please?

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/98473124/list-of-lobbyists-with-access-to-parliament-to-be-reviewed-by-new-speaker

    List of lobbyists with access to Parliament to be reviewed by new Speaker

    • veutoviper 8.1
      7 March 2018 at 1:45 pm

      As far as I am aware, there is no formal investigation happening into lobbyists etc, cleangreen.

      However, there are a lot of media attention and discussions going on at present in relation to lobbyists and similar people talking to and/or being employed or contracted to work for Ministers or MPs’ and possible (or perceived) conflicts of interest.

      Dr Bryce Edwards, in his interview on RNZ this morning was suggesting that there some murkiness in this whole area, with perceptions of grubbiness; but it is a hard area to regulate because there is a place for some forms of lobbyist activity. His suggestion is that there is a need for wider debate to open it up for discussion; and greater disclosure of conflicts of interest etc. He was not advocating for the setting up of a formal investigation as such.

      Here is the link to the recording of the interview – http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/2018635017/murkiness-in-politics-causing-disillusion-bryce-edwards

      Re the Stuff article you linked to in your comment, since Nov 2017 the Speaker of the house, Trevor Mallard, has reviewed the list of people (including lobbyists) who do not actually work at Parliament but who are approved to visit Parliament; and there appear to be a number of deletions from the older list in that Stuff article.

      Here is the latest list from the Parliament website – Note it is titled “Approved Visitors to Parliament”

      https://www.parliament.nz/en/visit-and-learn/how-parliament-works/office-of-the-speaker/corporate-documents/approved-visitor-list-to-parliament/

      • cleangreen 8.1.1
        7 March 2018 at 6:57 pm

        Thanks veutoviper,

        Looks like the PM’s all like taking bribes from the corporate lobbyists eh?

        Tonight on news the PM said she will not agree to a strict control as green party advocated, on donations from Corporate lobbyists.

        So I guess that means the situation is not going to change anytime soon eh?

  9. Ad 9
    7 March 2018 at 12:03 pm

    By treason, by treachery, and by incompetence, this is the worst-performing White House in my memory.

    Gary Cohn, who has served as President Donald Trump’s chief economic adviser since last year, will step down from his position, the New York Times reported Tuesday.

    That’s of course due to the steel and aluminium tariffs going up.

    When this entire White House leadership crumbles inside six months, we are going to see the full extent of a world without functioning political leadership in the US at all.

    • cleangreen 9.1
      7 March 2018 at 12:08 pm

      Nah,
      We saw this same thing said that about Labour didn’t we in august last year????????

    • adam 9.2
      7 March 2018 at 12:11 pm

      Brings new meaning to the term “revolving door”.

      That said, the world is not having problems because of trump, trump is just the outcome of a system which is broken. It offered up the two worst candidates in history last election, and the game show host won.

      The failures of liberalism as an ideology, and economic system are now on stark display. trump and his administration are a response to it, a bloody awful one, but a response nonetheless.

      Really the problem is, people not accepting that reality. Liberalism has failed.

  10. beatie 10
    7 March 2018 at 12:06 pm

    Some thoughts regarding the comments yesterday about petrol ‘beggars’.

    It seems that some pay lip service to the idea of inequality, but have a dismissive contempt towards those who are actually suffering from that inequality.

    The single jobseeker benefit for under 25 years is $177.03 net per week, over 25 is $212.45.
    Please take a moment to reflect on how YOU would cope living on that amount. No savings, no assets, no family help. I find that many people state they couldn’t possibly manage, but expect others to because they are somehow ‘different’.

    My benefit is paid today and I have just enough petrol to drive to the nearest petrol station for my budgeted $15.00 this week. Sometimes I wish I had the nerve to beg petrol.
    After I’ve paid my bills and bought food I’ll probably have $5.00 to last me until next Wednesday.

    Increasingly there is a frightening disconnect between the haves and have-nots in NZ, with the former having not the faintest idea of how many in NZ have to live.

    • weka 10.1
      7 March 2018 at 1:21 pm

      thanks beatie. I saw your comment yesterday too, and agree. I have no problem at all with people begging for petrol (or anything) if that is what they need to do. I think your analysis about judgements is good too.

    • I feel love 10.2
      7 March 2018 at 1:41 pm

      Thanks beatie, solo father here but working 40 hours, it’s tough but I know I’m lucky. Wish you best of luck mate and thanks for sharing.

      • beatie 10.2.1
        7 March 2018 at 2:29 pm

        Thank you. This time next year I’ll be on the pension which will mean an extra $100 per week. Wow! Can’t wait

    • Kay 10.3
      7 March 2018 at 2:22 pm

      “Increasingly there is a frightening disconnect between the haves and have-nots in NZ, with the former having not the faintest idea of how many in NZ have to live.”

      Add to that the many who don’t WAN’T to know and have no interest at all in finding out. After all, I’m alright, not my problem, won’t happen to me…

  11. Cinny 11
    7 March 2018 at 12:17 pm

    Just announced by simon, amy adams appointed as finance spokesperson, what a surprise lololollol

  13. adam 13
    7 March 2018 at 1:43 pm

    Anyone else in Auckland had the letter saying rent is going up. Seems landlords are going to grab as much of the new accommodation supplement increase as possible.

    The increase asked for was just short of 9% ($25 in dollar terms). When wages have only had a 1% or 2% increase, and inflation running at 1.9%. I’m confused why landlords and indeed property managers think they have the right to gauge the market and the populous. It makes me think they want the increase to line their pockets.

    Shame when the government tries a hand up, the rich put their hand out.

    • weka 13.1
      7 March 2018 at 2:12 pm

      As the AS been increased across the board? Can’t say I’ve had W&I offering me a rise.

      • adam 13.1.1
        7 March 2018 at 2:21 pm

        It will be, as of 30th of april. It’s automatic, they will send you a letter after they do it.

        • Kay 13.1.1.1
          7 March 2018 at 2:30 pm

          Thanks for the warning adam. Had no idea of the date, it’s not like we need to know these things is there? (No doubt we’re expected to regularly check into their website- like hell I will!).
          I know the AS cap in Wgtn is increasing a whole $5 to a totally pathetic $105/week, but anyone who’s getting TAS- especially to help with rent- be aware it’s likely to be cut so be prepared to come out of this generous AS increase worse off.

          • weka 13.1.1.1.1
            7 March 2018 at 3:13 pm

            Yes, that’s a real concern, and I haven’t been seeing much discussion. Has anyone put it through a calculator to see how it’s going to work out?

        • weka 13.1.1.2
          7 March 2018 at 3:15 pm

          cheers. So are the landlords increasing the rent *ahead of that? I saw numerous tweets a while back about Wgtn rents going up already.

          • Antoine 13.1.1.2.1
            8 March 2018 at 4:55 am

            I’m not!

            • weka 13.1.1.2.1.1
              8 March 2018 at 9:59 am

              good for you Antoine 🙂

              (and maybe you could stop arguing so hard against tenant rights 😉 ).

              • Antoine …
                8 March 2018 at 11:36 am

                I continue to support a healthy balance between landlord and tenant rights (preferably with those rights being backed up by some real enforcement)

                A.

                • weka …
                  8 March 2018 at 11:50 am

                  What I’ve seen is that in a time where people are literally living on the streets because of lack of tenant’s rights you think it appropriate to bring forward the rights of landlords.

                  • Antoine …
                    8 March 2018 at 12:35 pm

                    Yes, I do. Both tenants and landlords benefit from a healthy balance between landlord and tenant rights.

                    Some changes that gave tenants more rights, could actually increase the number of people without homes.

                    A.

                    P.S. I don’t think many people are living on the street because of lack of (reasonable) tenant’s rights. I think they are living on the street because we don’t have enough dwellings. If we had more dwellings then I think the rental market would return to a pretty healthy state without a lot of further intervention.
                    P.P.S. We may disagree on some things, but remember I do support the compulsory rental WOF, so I’m not toooo far from being on your side.

    • Muttonbird 13.2
      8 March 2018 at 10:06 am

      You should ask for something in return. Something which, while not absolutely broken, does need upgrading.

      $25/week is a lot and is nearly $4000 over three years. You landlord needs to be shown it’s not all one way traffic.

      • adam 13.2.1
        8 March 2018 at 10:23 am

        I got dismissed to today by the property manager. Especially when I pointed out that the property was way below minimum via the market.

        Learnt somthing, that the tenancy tribunal will only discuss market rents. Not the Ponzi scheme it is part of to increase rents.

        I think I said to Ad yesterday about the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment being a hotbed of ideological tomfoolery. Who would have guessed today that would come back and bit me on the bum. Tenancy is part of that ministry, and they have so odd rules about challenging rents. You can only challenge a rent increase if it is outside the market range. How that for protected self interest on the part of property management companies.

  14. weka 14
    7 March 2018 at 3:33 pm

    Here you go McFlock. Fuck the hypothetical asteroids, there are man-made space objects that are an immediate threat 😉 Thank-you space program.

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=12008067

    • McFlock 14.1
      8 March 2018 at 12:24 am

      Hah.

      Bit of a black eye for the Chinese program, that. Not only did the Russians keep Soyuz going for ages beyond it’s planned operational life, ISTR they plonked it into the Pacific pretty accurately in the target zone. Even if this thing causes no damage, the Chinese haven’t managed to catch up / leapfrog anyone.

      The odds against it braining anyone are, err… astronomical, though.

      • adam 14.1.1
        8 March 2018 at 11:56 am

        “The odds against it braining anyone are, err… astronomical, though.”

        Murphy’s law – You’re close to invoking it. 🙂

  15. Morrissey 15
    7 March 2018 at 4:46 pm

    Jim Mora’s off work today, but don’t get your hopes up: his
    replacement is the perky but shallow Megan Whelan
    The Panel, RNZ National, Wednesday 7 March 2018
    Megan Whelan, Scott Campbell, Holly Walker, Julie Moffett

    MEGAN WHELAN: Do you say “daylight saving” or “daylight savings”?
    HOLLY WALKER: I’ve always said “daylight saving.”
    MEGAN WHELAN: Scott?
    SCOTT CAMPBELL: Uh, I’m a daylight savings guy.

    Scott Campbell is a National Party activist, and has stood out on this show for many years now as a particularly complacent and smug commentator on all manner of topics. On today’s Panel he distinguished himself by mouthing some less than intelligent sub-thoughts, with the worst being an incoherent attempt at explaining how Fijians living in poverty are all “happy” because “they don’t know they’re living in poverty”, and “they live in a nice place, so they’re lucky that people go over there and help them.”

    Unbelievably, however, the confused ramblings of this National Party stooge were not the low point of today’s show. That came from the stand-in host Megan Whelan, who without a trace of irony moved smoothly from discussing the Trump regime’s internal shenanigans to North Korea, which she called “the rogue state”. Obviously this had been written down for her, and she hadn’t given it more than a second’s thought, but I thought it was worth drawing her attention to her lack of professionalism. I sent her the following email…..

    Is North Korea the only “rogue state”?

    Dear Megan,

    You casually used the term “the rogue state” for North Korea. That is of course a reasonable descriptor for that state; however, it’s even more appropriate to describe the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia. I have yet to hear you or anyone else on RNZ National use such highly prejudicial and charged language against those other, far more destructive, rogue states.

    Yours in concern at journalistic standards and integrity,

    Morrissey Breen
    Northcote Point

    More Megan Whelan mediocrity, for those who can bear it….

    Open Mike 12/01/2018

  17. Grey Area 17
    7 March 2018 at 6:00 pm

    No surprises there. Is there no-one else who could do the job?

  18. eco maori 18
    7 March 2018 at 6:56 pm

    Good evening 3 News Hub Eco Maori has been busy studying Ngati-porou tepuna history I see why Nga puhi have a problem with us Ngati-porou tangata.
    The cricket is quite exciting. I have quite thick skin you know. Ka kite ano

    • eco maori 18.1
      7 March 2018 at 7:10 pm

      The project on TV3 The House and Marae of Ngati-porou houner our Ancestors particularly our Lady’s and Ngati-porou ladies were aloud to speak on our Marae.
      Ka kite ano

      • eco maori 18.1.1
        7 March 2018 at 7:18 pm

        The project on TV3 I had already seen the joyce phenomenon long ago but don’t forget that ECO MAORI is the flute master a
        Ka kite ano

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