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…
Four complaints. Someone should be losing their job over this.
“However a 15-year-old girl told 3News last night when she complained in 2011 about being sexually assaulted by two young men when she was 13, the line of questioning centred on the clothes she was wearing and why she had chosen to go out with the group.”
That is straight out of the 80s. I thought we had at least put processes in place so that rape victims got appropriate support when they first approached police and weren’t subjected to that. At the very least now, after an inquiry, ALL police stations in NZ should be required to have a protocol in place that prevents this shit. Women need an outside advocate and they need to be interviewd by police who have training in sexual assault cases including how to not retraumatise victims.
(Assuming I heard this guy on Radio NZ correctly – District Commander Bill Searle?) Nice to know that the difference between formal and informal complaints is entirely arbitrary and a matter that the police themselves decide.
Search warrants that will turn up absolutely nothing. On the assumption those guys aren’t utterly thick, any hard drives etc will have been ‘lost’, ie smashed up and disposed of.
May I suggest that people nominate a particular night of the week for a particular type of meal – as Catholics eat fish on Fridays, perhaps the non-vegetarians here would like to eat pork one night?
one of the girls thinks she was drugged, she had one drink of beer & passed out. their facebook page was full of images of drugs, not just weed but iv drugs! chilling.
Wairarapa, Rewa, Rotorua rape files just put into a filing cabinet. There were some recommendations by the IPCA regarding the Wairarapa and Rotorua files and the Rewa rape files are to be investigated.
Once again another complaint is going to the IPCA regarding miscommunication of a rape file which has caused further distress to the complainant.
Oh fuck! As the self-appointed person in charge of Natzi leaving presents – I never thought of that.
Maybe instead of thinking “what do I wish for” from the point of view of Natzis, I should be thinking in terms of the ‘ephermeral’ (see below)
Good pint Mr Smith!
I’ll take you contributions ‘on board’ (going forward).
Yes yes …. a far better option for the hard-pressed Tex Pay-ya
But then …. I know Pulla is rilly rilly ateched to them spots.
Keep in touch fella – together: we can work it out – in the spirit of ‘ne – go – shay -shun’
We shud talk – my agent will be in tuch
DSAC spokeswoman on Radio NZ seems to be of the persuasion that women and girls failing to negotiate the current fcked up culture of sex and sexuality is ‘sad’ and that education on how better to negotiate it is a solution. Now, maybe it’s just me, but that seems to in in parallel with ‘suggestions’ made by rape culture apologists to the effect that women and girls should behave differently, take more care, dress differently etc.
Nothing about challenging patriarchy – it’s assumptions, values, impacts or how it exhibits and unfolds throughout our culture, society and institutions. Seems that absolutely necessary discussion is off the table. So, there will be a police inquiry…there may be some campaign on saying no…there will be internet bills and….yup, everything will carry on as before
But then, even if she didn’t, just putting across the idea that a 13 year-old has ‘failed’ her sexual education by not understanding the sexual vileness of older teens is a little bit too blamey for a DSAC isn’t it? Why would a young girl submit to a doctor who thinks she’s ‘failed’?
Why isn’t she commenting on how young people are being failed by the belief that they can, with no consequences to themselves, use people… make fun of people… hurt people for self gratification? And yes, why isn’t she commenting on where that belief comes from?
No, I’m not saying she used that term (she may have). My comment is my interpretation of or distillation of her position.
As for DSAC not challenging patriarchy, I’m not actually surprised – I mean, the entire medical profession is extremely patriarchal. All our institutions are to one degree or other.
Way I see it is that it’s so much in plain view as to be rendered invisible. Maybe, to borrow an analogy from one of the links Joe90 provided in the ‘Don’t Wring Your Hands’ thread, it’s as though, having been locked in a red room since birth we are then removed from it and asked to describe the colour ‘red’.
“As for DSAC not challenging patriarchy, I’m not actually surprised – I mean, the entire medical profession is extremely patriarchal. All our institutions are to one degree or other.”
Yes and no. DSAC were set up originally precisely because some doctors (and rape crisis people I think) saw the desperate need to have doctors do post-rape exams who knew what they were doing in being with a rape victim ie protecting them from the prevailing culture which was further traumatising women. I think it also ensured that women doctors were available.
From what I can see, DTB was referring to the age of consent. As such, nothing to do with rape, unless the argument is that the consenting person is unable to consent due entirely to their age and regardless of the law deeming them to be person capable of consent.
I’ve just read the link and I must say I’m concerned that we on the left can’t bring ourselves to condemn underage sex as outlined in the link.
As a grandparent I’m having bug problems coming to terms with what has come out in the media over the last few days from the stupification and rape of teens to the apparent almost indifference of the police and the defence of the gang who did this by the group of girls who were their school friends.
The female friends of the Roast Busters told 3 News that Facebook anarchy is now the norm, so too is drunken “group sex”.
“People send it on Snapchat, who cares […] it’s normal in west Auckland, its normal here […] Not for everybody though it’s just the young ones 13- to 15-year-olds – that’s what they do.”
Am I out of touch with today’s society being outraged that I don’t care what the situation is that I’m appalled and consider it to be rape ?
“He refuted a suggestion there was a “culture of disbelief” of sex victims within the police.
“I think what’s happened here is the police officers have done their very best…”
See that would have a modicum of credibility if he didn’t refute, but instead said somethign like yes there are very real issues here and we need to look at what has failed these young women. We believe police did their best so we need to look at what the problem is.
He doesn’t at this stage have to admit specific culpability or assign blame, but at the very least should be expressing empathy with the victims who have been failed. As it is, it just sounds like butt covering and denial and ignorance in the extreme. Why are these people in charge?
Last night a girl told 3News she complained in 2011 when she just 13-years-old about being sexually assaulted by two young men.
She said the line of questioning centred on the clothes she was wearing and why she had chosen to go out with the group.
Fuck.
Pure Rape Culture this be.
What’s to bet though the relevant authorities will just let this officer off with “training” and wont even bother with establishing much needed fucking training for officers on how to deal with rape victims…
Our taxes paid for this crap. Sheeran shared on Twitter that he played all of the instruments himself on the track, except for the cello. This display of Sheeranian versatility does nothing to improve what is a dire and unlistenable dirge—quite possibly the worst movie song ever….
Mediocrity Watch aims to keep you informed of—or, to quote the epically mediocre Simon Dallow, to be “right across”—the shoddiest, least professional, most insulting journalism and taxpayer-subsidised-sensitive-singer-songwriting from all over the world, but especially New Zealand. It is produced by DeakerWatch®, a division of Daisycutter Sports Inc.
Check out these other third-raters….
No.7: Paul Little: [Russell Brand] is “petulant, ungracious and unfunny” and a “cut-rate Chomsky”.
No. 6: David Farrar: “Things were generally very relaxed in this area.”
No. 5: Jordan Williams: ““Capping rents seems like a recipe for disaster.”
No. 4: Prof. Robert Patman: “Hezbollah is totally a creature of the Iranian regime.”
No. 3: Jeremy Wells: “What evidence is there that secondhand smoking does any harm? Where is the evidence? WHERE IS THE EVIDENCE?”
No. 2: Gavin Gray: “…never been any problems associated with the name King George.”
No. 1: Susie Ferguson: “If, as you say, this has all been done before, why do it all again?”
Thank goodness, for everyones sake police interviews are recorded or videoed. Hopefully the media will focus on transcripts so as not to further divert this from the main issue unnecessarily. To clarify. The victim will be heavily traumatised and her perception of police conduct toward her may not be an entirely fair reflection.
I am not a police apologist by any means.
However if she made the complaint then as soon as they saw the facebook stuff they wld prolly have had enough to issue search warrants on the young mens digital equipment and to interview them.
The assumption seems to remain that the victins word is not enough… hence up to 95% charged get off. That is purely about attitudes to women and an assumption that when it cones to sex their default position is to lie, exaggerate or have post coital remorse… as opposed to an assumption that guys lack self control sexually and see women as chattels.
Amirite and Tracey +100. Its just sickening. Finally after four complaints over the last two years the cops are waking up and doing something about it. Not much. But something at last. And the cops have the powers to (a) take the young men’s digital equipment and strip it right down to find everything they’ve now deleted (b) get that same evidence off Facebook and (c) make a case against those dreadful young trolls.
Possibly preparing representative charges. I have no doubt that Bullshit Castle has been given a swift hard kick to take action, by someone by this point. At least, that’s the hope.
” The Government also introduced legislation yesterday that would cut development contributions, which have soared from an average $3000 a section to $14,000 in the past decade.”
I note the legislation doesnt include an obligation on developers to pass on the saving. They will do it cos its the right thing to do.
Development contributions are/were meant to help pay for all the things additional subdivisions cost a council – more roading, much greatly improved sewerage schemes, more parks for all the extra people, etc etc. More people into any area means more and more services which are paid for via the rates – so cutting development contributions means more costs to the average Joe and Joanna, and less cost to the rich – again !
Exactly JK and next Tracey will be saying it’s the land prices, land is cheap on the outskirts of town lets build there, does she expects the existing rate-payers will be happy paying for the roads, sewer, storm-water, parks, footpaths, street-lighting etc that service these sections.
It’s the sprawl that costs us – more sprawl, most cost. If we want to lower rates and have cheaper living then we need to build upwards and not outwards.
….. and my daughter, just back from living there, tells a similar tale.
There’s another thing a new government should review ….. the ineptitude of our Commerce Commission.
Commerce Commission has been deliberately starved, hamstrung and misdirected by the NATs. So not really their fault. I’m hoping Labour give it real teeth and increased independence, very soon.
I Don’t disagree TL, but they have, over the years, allowed duopoly positions to emerge.
I recall back in 2006, or 2007 some of those ‘bloody academics’ from Vic Uni showing that the structure in the supply chain by the ‘big 2’ meant small producers were being penalised.
The CC should be commended on their recent decisions, but their ideas on what constitutes effective competition are sometimes pretty bloody suspect.
They need ‘guidelines’ obviously. In my mind, there should never be a situation EVER where a NZ public pays a higher price for locally produced goods than does a foreign market.
The NZ public will be expected to pay for whatever cleanup of shit infested waters is necessary whilst paying a premium for dairy products.
These so called ‘free market’ principles really are a scam at times.
I’ve seen NZ salmon sold a damn sight cheaper in Australia ffs! (even taking into account exchange rates and so on).
Building materials …. how’s THAT ffs!
Maybe there needs to be some sort of quota system applied to locally produced goods that must be sold locally – I don’t know but then the CC should be the experts
I recall back in 2006, or 2007 some of those ‘bloody academics’ from Vic Uni showing that the structure in the supply chain by the ‘big 2′ meant small producers were being penalised. The CC should be commended on their recent decisions, but their ideas on what constitutes effective competition are sometimes pretty bloody suspect.
You can’t get effective competition in what amounts to natural monopolies:- Power, telecommunications, supermarkets…
Nothing wrong with farmers markets though.
I’m in two minds about supermarkets. The manner in which that supply chain has been constructed over the past few decades means that they’re now natural monopolies/duopolies I guess.
Fuck em! I usually try to make a point of ONLY buying their loss leader items wherever possible. I wish more did, but for some – they’re now the new Town Hall and flirting venue.
Certainly anything that constitutes a grid type arrangement – roads; rail; electricity, water, sewer reticulation; local loop and national/international backbone.
(I’m a moderate doncha know) 😉
I’ve read various comments, eg on stuff, where poms say that in England it was soo much cheaper to eat at home, because the food was cheap and service in restaurants was a lot more expensive.
Now living in NZ, they don’t see any reason to eat at home, because the food is expensive and service in restaurants is cheap.
There’s a show on BBC Radio 4 called The Food Programme which looks at these kinds of issues. One episode looked at people feeding themselves for 10-15 pounds per week.
Of course, there have beeen corners cut in British food as a result of the heavy price pressure – the horsemeat scandal in particular.
With 50 units of local currency in the UK or Europe, you will be unable to get the shopping home without transport, preferable private. That includes the higher quality stores such as Waitrose and Marks n Spencer.
In NZ, 50 units of currency gets you the basics, which requires little more than a two bags, or a number of bags filled with refined sugar/salt junk products.
The UK, for example has a high number competition in the market, not to mention the 60m+ population base. They also have a wonderful selection of food, which far eclipse the shite we have on offer in the supermarkets here in NZ, which is pitiful in comparision. Should be reasons why people make use of farmers markets etc, move away from the supermarkets here, they are a bad joke!
NZ has two channels , an effective monopoly, and 4.5 million people!
Simple equations involved, but in NZ, we are getting completely ripped off over and above for every life sustaining necessity, food, water, energy, shelter, clothing…
Great lifestyle here though, and how about those AB’s!
+1 !
We’ve been sold the coolaid for far too long.
The examples are endless.
How about “export quality meat”. Doesn’t that imply that we (as the producing country) should be expected to be happy with something less than export quality?
Like err, maybe meat pumped with water, or with additives to ensure redness – all brought to us by people who are on wages that only just let them get by (unless of course they do as much overtime as they able, or maybe even 2 jobs).
Eat, sleep, shit, do the laundry (so those nice little uniforms are spik & span), work….. eat, sleep, shit, etc.
(They don’t know how lucky they are aye!!!! In my day I had to walk 5 miles to school every day and five miles home again and I didn’t complain – besides, that nice Mr Key is looking after them)
Just been in UK/Europe/USA….your points all valid. Lovely places but they don’t have the ABs. And they are too populous for me.
Apart from their subsidised prices..they have one good thing in common …(except for the US) they all seem to have far more tolerant populaces than our standard Kiwi authoritarians dressed up as social liberals (there’s plenty on this site who would claim to be otherwise)….still despite the prices here is home.
I hope to be in charge of leaving presents for departing Natzi MP’s.
Pulla Bent, Judith (Jude to her mates), Soimun and a couple of others will be getting Jack Boots after a formal fitting in Northern Italy where a ‘fact finding musshun’ will have occurred, and both Jude and Pulla – just because of their EXTENSIVE contributions will be getting leopard or tiger skin fatigues fresh from the Philibit Tiger Reserve.
In addition, they’ll all be getting Tiwai menyafekchard ledders mounted on bearings, equipped with flex rope from the Bay of Plenny that enables them to be pulled into an upright position – well away from ground level. There’s an ex-railway workshop in the deep south that’s putting in a tender that’ll hopefully come out cheaper than the Choinoise.
Unfortunately Pulla, Jude and Soimun haven’t yet indicated their departure is imminent – so I’ve got a bit of time before I run out of life.’
I’ve just got one problem so far though. The bloody ‘nargies’ don’t want a bar of it!
They’re still a bit pissed off that a couple of their students who lodged formal complaints about employers ripping them off were ‘deported’.
Never mind tho’ aye – a FTA is in the wind (like FUK!) (at least in terms of the definition of “free”)
We had a visitor from Manchester who was appalled at Australian grocery prices. Someone is making a lot of money out of us all, and it’s not the farmers or growers. Maybe a future government could help establish a producers’ co-op to get food to people at reasonable prices, and without GST. Anyone who didn’t relish the taste of “socialist food” would be welcome to continue with the main supermarket chains.
A pretty transparent interview by Audrey Young. Bad cop English versus Good cop Key the friend of the poor and the downtrodden. What a nice man that Key fellow is.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=11152582
And a bit more realism from the same interview from strangely John Armstrong. Specially liked Bill’s view of John:
“He’s endlessly capable of everything, I assure you – catching fish, cooking pasta, making up policy, being friends with the Queen. There is nothing this man can’t do.”
Faint praise anyone?
As sickening as that New Zealand Fox News Herald’s two-part hagiography was, it did highlight the fact that there’s still some considerable niggle between John Key and Blinglish. In the first part, John Key tries, as you point out, to deflect taking responsibility for further excluding first-home buyers from the market. (Yeah, right.) Then, in the second part, Blinglish says . . .
. . . If a pime minister says “this is what we are going to do” , whether I might completely agree is irrelevant, particularly with a successful prime minister. If he says “I want this”, then that is what happens . . .
. . . blatantly and completely undermining John Key’s earlier statement about the LVR. Classic, and another lie to add to John Key’s elephantine list. Thanks Blinglish. Also, good on you for finally realising that your own lie regarding your place of residence is no longer sustainable. I guess you’ve paid off the Karori mortgage now, eh Bill?
That National Party having been presenting a number of their cauacus as “nice people ” recently through the media. While they make Key out to be a good old boy they are attacking Cunliffe making out he cant be trusted.
Well theres that as well as his clarification of what on his CV plus his ability to say one thing to one audience (the unions) then something different to another group (business)
Do you watch all of Paula’s speeches in parliament? For someone as idiotic as you, they must be better than viagra. And that Collins? Be still, my beating heart.
Guess what? When I was fixing bikes, I would talk about right side roller mains to a Triumph owner, and bushes to a BSA guy. I obviously couldn’t be trusted. More than that, when I went snapper fishing, I would talk about pilchards, mullet and squid with my fishing mate, but I was careful not to mention these while trout fishing.
Broadcaster MediaWorks has lost a string of high-profile shows like Homeland, Modern Family and Bones after the company’s new banker owners dumped an output deal with Fox.
Now, if the government would step forward to support our ow artists we could fill the gaps with our own shows.
so..instead of ‘homeland’..how about a drama based on the stresses/pressures/personalities/cliff-hanging/nail-biting happenings in.. say..a shearing gang..?
..oh..!..hang on..!
..and for modern familes..a comedy based around a dysfunctional-family..?
..having laffs/coping in the wake of a major earthquake..?
phillip u so..instead of ‘homeland’..how about a drama based on the stresses/pressures/personalities/cliff-hanging/nail-biting happenings in.. say..a shearing gang or a gang of political bloggers. Drama, emotion, passion. girls with no clothes on. It couldn’t miss.
I’m a fan of Wind in the Willows. A whimsical, kind little tale about friends and community and understanding each other. Toad is a lively character who gets focussed on one interest at a time and when it was motor cars, went round making car horn sounds ‘Poop, Poop’.
Spring has sprung and I must spring into the garden shouting Poop, Poop. So I’ll go and wrestle with the convolvulus bindweed and vow to be responsible in future and never let it take over and get control again.
Well he does fancy KH in a non-committed ‘open’ kinda way, so I guess there’s some sort of binary logic going on there where any sort of sex is OK as long as his partner “fancies” an object.
Logic? Rape culture actually. Which says: if a young woman is attracted to a man then the man has a right to have sex with her. What century are we living in?
Don’t know what Karyn Hay ever saw in this dickhead Andrew Fagan.
He must have forgotten the lyrics he sung :
Don’t walk away from me
I’m not the kind that likes to be put down
Don’t leave me standing here
I’m not kind that likes to be the clown in the rain for the world who must sing
Without you my life’s gonna be forever Tuesday morning
I’m so alone inside I haven’t got the guts to go away……..etc.
Maybe now he could find the guts to say sorry…..or go away, like the rest of that shit Radio Live.
Fagan’s a loudmouth bullshitting wanker at the best of times.
Heard him one night trying to stir up a hornet’s nest by stating as fact that Japanese military got washed up in the North during the war and disappeared into the population.
Then started crapping on about Hone Harawira’s “features” ?
..and then investigated thorium fueled nuclear reactors a little bit more..
..and what can i say..?
..i think as of about 1.45 pm this aft..
..(all things i read being true/up to scratch..
..i too..became a convert to the idea of thorium..
..as a/the(?) fuel for the future..
..now..where to build the first reactor..?
..i reckon northland..
..they need the jobs/economic-fillip this would bring..
..(and quick..!..flog the rest of the power companies off to the mug-elite..!..
..before they hear..
(..those power companies will never be worth this much again..)
..and use some of that money..to build the first thorium-reactor..
..mana/the greens should campaign on this..
(and knock me down with an anti-nuke banner..!..if you told me when i woke up this morn..that i wd end the day a promotor of a branch of the nuke-family..
A man’s house burned to the ground, but that wasn’t his only shock — because two weeks later, he received a bill for almost $20,000 from the private fire department that tried to fight it.
[…]
Highlighted on the back of the subscription, it reads, “Response times will vary.” So with the options for people living here are: buy a yearly subscription, which is around $500 from Rural Metro for a service that is 20 miles away or take their chances and get a huge bill if their home burns. A third option is to form their own fire district. It can take months and ultimately a board will decide if they’ll contract out fire service or form a volunteer department.
[…]
Rural Metro does have payment plans, but says it doesn’t give people the option to let their home burn
Sounds like the perfect plan for all those disengaged from society that lock themselves behind the walls of the ‘gated community’. In their case – I’d make it mandatory. They can have their private security firms, police force, roading contractors, ambulances and most other infrastructure as well.
Who was the person that almost seemed to be arguing that it was too much to expect a 17/18 year old from west Auckland not to commit an assault…….. or did I mis hear ?
Fuck knows. Someone was saying something like that, but they all sounded like drunk middle aged punters at 1/2 hour to last drinks. “Yeah nah yeah yeah listen wait you said blah mate nah listen but wait on mate wait on a minute I was saying nah mate listen”
pfft.
Didn’t think I would ever get some respect for Hooton. Good on him, and good on him for saying fuck you to Willie Jackson’s support of Clint Rickard.
I didn’t hear any of the Radio Live stuff yesterday, but Tamahere and Jackson appear to be saying that brown boys have a hard life and therefore an excuse whereas white boys grow up good and therefore don’t rape. That doesn’t explain why they would be so unsympathetic to the women/girls. Hiding misogyny behind class.
A stopped clock turns out to be right. Doesn’t excuse all of Hooton’s other misogynistic and racist statements that he’s cynically made for money. All it means is that they’re so revolting even Hoots is angry.
Yes that change in tone was very noticeable. Hooton is a hollowman but Jackson and Tamahere are hollow too. I don’t like any of them and that view has been reinforced again.
“He always looked pasty-faced!” The Panel briefly considers the death of Arafat
Radio NZ National, Thursday 7 November 2013
Paul Brennan, Rosemary McLeod, Tim Watkin
Note Tim Watkin’s nervousness, and his skittish laughter, which undermines and trivializes his otherwise intelligent comments…..
PAUL BRENNAN: It’s five minutes to five. All right, this next story. ….[uncomfortable pause]….It appears that the late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat was poisoned by radioactive polonium. Traces of the isotope have been found in his bones. What do you think of this? ROSEMARY McLEOD: It’s like a ghastly horror show. TIM WATKIN: Well, the Israelis held him as a virtual prisoner in his compound for the last few years of his life, didn’t they. That explains why he always looked pasty-faced! Ha ha ha ha ha! ROSEMARY McLEOD: Ha ha ha ha ha! It’s what the Russians gave to that chap a few years ago, isn’t it. TIM WATKIN: That’s right. Ha ha ha! ROSEMARY McLEOD: He started off as a very good-looking man, but he wasn’t when they’d finished with him. PAUL BRENNAN:[thoughtfully] Hmmmm. Poisonous stuff, that Polonium 125. ROSEMARY McLEOD: We don’t want it in our coffee! TIM WATKIN: Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! PAUL BRENNAN: Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! Okay, three minutes left, and there’s just time for our last story….
Yes I did, fender, and I agree with you. The reason I posted that snatch of conversation was not to criticise Paul Brennan but to draw attention to the way Tim Watkin was afraid to state a grave truth clearly and unequivocally. His nervous little snicker only served to detract from and undermine what he said. This is understandable: no doubt Tim Watkin has suffered screeching insults in the past after daring to say anything critical of Israel.
It’s still disappointing, however. Tim Watkin is an intelligent, well read and decent person, which makes him a rarity on radio chat shows. He should think about expressing his views clearly and courageously—which means not undercutting them by snickering nervously.
Why? Because it can decades to remediate nutrient pollution, particularly when dealing with slow flowing rivers and more so lakes, where the low over rate of flow + mud increase the residency time for nutrients added by human activity and can be released later by storms/floods. Which leads to flux that invasive species oft thrive with and kick the local ecosystem into a another state with subsequent (usually) negative ecological impacts to ecosystem health and human uses.
*sigh*
We can haz science based government legislation noaw please?…
Instead of limp-wristed bullshit to pander to federated farmers.
Despite all the hissing and roaring about climate change and greenhouse gases in the last decade, fossil fuels are now being burnt at a faster rate than at any other time in human history. With the trend continuing to increase.
I don’t think there is going to be a happy ending.
This is colourfully put – from latest Bowalley Road. That made Sir Roger and his followers the most dangerous cuckoos ever to take up residence in Labour’s nest, and it has taken the best part of 30 years to eradicate their legacy within the party organisation.
Observing the party closely since the departure of Helen Clark in 2008 has been a little like watching Rip Van Winkle rousing himself from twenty long years of slumber.
Hi Murray O http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-081113/#comment-723950
That had some more comments on post Roger from Chris T which registered with me later.
If you go to this link on my comment with quote, under that is link to the item courtesy
of Draco. I think it makes points that are good to reflect on.
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This video includes personal musings and conclusions of the creator climate scientist Dr. Adam Levy. It is presented to our readers as an informed perspective. Please see video description for references (if any). Wherever you look, you'll hear headlines claiming we've passed 1.5 degrees of global warming. And while 2024 saw ...
Photo by Heather M. Edwards on UnsplashHere’s the key news, commentary, reports and debate around Aotearoa’s politics and economy in the week to Feb 10 below. That’s ahead of live chats on the Substack App and The Kākā’s front page on Substack at 5pm with: on his column in The ...
Is there anyone in the world the National Party loves more than a campaign donor? Why yes, there is! They will always have the warmest hello and would you like to slip into something more comfortable for that great god of our age, the High Net Worth Individual.The words the ...
Waste and fraud certainly exist in foreign aid programs, but rightwing celebration of USAID’s dismantling shows profound ignorance of the value of soft power (as opposed to hard power) in projecting US influence and interests abroad by non-military/coercive means (think of “hearts and minds,” “hugs, not bullets,” “honey versus vinegar,” ...
Health New Zealand is proposing to cut almost half of its data and digital positions – more than 1000 of them. The PSA has called on the Privacy Commissioner to urgently investigate the cuts due to the potential for serious consequences for patients. NZNO is calling for an urgent increase ...
We may see a few more luxury cars on Queen Street, but a loosening of rules to entice rich foreigners to invest more here is unlikely to “turbocharge our economic growth”. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāLong stories short, the top six things in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate ...
Let us not dance daintily around the elephant in the room. Our politicians who serve us in the present are not honest, certainly not as honest as they should be, and while the right are taking out most of the trophies for warping narratives and literally redefining “facts”, the kiwi ...
A few weeks ago I took a look at public transport ridership in 2024. In today’s post I’m going to be looking a bit deeper at bus ridership. Buses make up the vast majority of ridership in Auckland with 70 million boardings last year out of a total of 89.4 ...
Oh, you know I did itIt's over and I feel fineNothing you could say is gonna change my mindWaited and I waited the longest nightNothing like the taste of sweet declineSongwriters: Chris Shiflett / David Eric Grohl / Nate Mendel / Taylor Hawkins.Hindsight is good, eh?The clarity when the pieces ...
Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on UnsplashHere’s what we’re watching in the week to February 16 and beyond in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty:Monday, February 10The Kākā’s weekly wrap-up of news about politics and the economy is due at midday, followed by webinar for paying subscribers in Substack’s ...
A listing of 23 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, February 2, 2025 thru Sat, February 8, 2025. This week's roundup is again published soleley by category. We are still interested in feedback to hone the categorization, so if ...
Today, I stumbled across a Twitter Meme: the ending of The Lord of the Rings as a Chess scenario: https://x.com/mellon_heads/status/1887983845917564991 It gets across the basic gist. Aragorn and Gandalf offering up ‘material’ at the Morannon allows Frodo and Samwise to catch Sauron unawares – fair enough. But there are a ...
Last week, Kieran McAnulty called out Chris Bishop and Nicola Willis for their claims that Kāinga Ora’s costs were too high.They had claimed Kāinga Ora’s cost were 12% higher than market i.e. private devlopersBut Kāinga Ora’s Chair had already explained why last year:"We're not building to sell, so we'll be ...
Stuff’s Political Editor Luke Malpass - A Fellow at New Zealand IniativeLast week I half-joked that Stuff / The Post’s Luke Malpass1 always sounded like he was auditioning for a job at the New Zealand Initiative.Mountain Tui is a reader-supported publication. For a limited time, subscriptions are 20% off. Thanks ...
At a funeral on Friday, there were A4-sized photos covering every wall of the Dil’s reception lounge. There must have been 200 of them, telling the story in the usual way of the video reel but also, by enlargement, making it more possible to linger and step in.Our friend Nicky ...
Skeptical Science is partnering with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. This fact brief was written by Sue Bin Park from the Gigafact team in collaboration with members from our team. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Is methane the ...
The Government’s idea is that the private sector and Community Housing Providers will fund, build and operate new affordable housing to address our housing crisis. Meanwhile, the Government does not know where almost half of the 1,700 children who left emergency housing actually went. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāLong ...
Oh, home, let me come homeHome is wherever I'm with youOh, home, let me come homeHome is wherever I'm with youSongwriters: Alexander Ebert / Jade Allyson CastrinosMorena,I’m on a tight time frame this morning. In about an hour and a half, I’ll need to pack up and hit the road ...
This is a post about the Mountain Tui substack, and small tweaks - further to the poll and request post the other day. Please don’t read if you aren’t interested in my personal matters. Thank you all.After oohing-and-aahing about how to structure the Substack model since November, including obtaining ...
This transcript of a recent conversation between the Prime Minister and his chief economic adviser has not been verified.We’ve announced we are the ‘Yes Government’. Do you like it?Yes, Prime Minister.Dreamed up by the PR team. It’s about being committed to growth. Not that the PR team know anything about ...
The other day, Australian Senator Nick McKim issued a warning in the Australian Parliement about the US’s descent into fascim.And of course it’s true, but I lament - that was true as soon as Trump won.What we see is now simply the reification of the intention, planning, and forces behind ...
Among the many other problems associated with Musk/DOGE sending a fleet of teenage and twenty-something cultists to remove, copy and appropriate federal records like social security, medicaid and other supposedly protected data is the fact that the youngsters doing the data-removal, copying and security protocol and filter code over-writing have ...
Jokerman dance to the nightingale tuneBird fly high by the light of the moonOh, oh, oh, JokermanSong by Bob Dylan.Morena folks, I hope this fine morning of the 7th of February finds you well. We're still close to Paihia, just a short drive out of town. Below is the view ...
It’s been an eventful week as always, so here’s a few things that we have found interesting. We also hope everyone had a happy and relaxing Waitangi Day! This week in Greater Auckland We’re still running on summer time, but provided two chewy posts: On Tuesday, a guest ...
Queuing on Queen St: the Government is set to announce another apparently splashy growth policy on Sunday of offering residence visas to wealthy migrants. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāLong stories short, the top six things in our political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Friday, February 7:PM Christopher ...
The fact that Waitangi ended up being such a low-key affair may mark it out as one of the most significant Waitangi Days in recent years. A group of women draped in “Toitu Te Tiriti” banners who turned their backs on the politicians’ powhiri was about as rough as it ...
Hi,This week’s Flightless Bird episode was about “fake seizure guy” — a Melbourne man who fakes seizures in order to get members of the public to sit on him.The audio documentary (which I have included in this newsletter in case you don’t listen to Flightless Bird) built on reporting first ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Karin Kirk The 119th Congress comes with a price tag. The oil and gas industry gave about $24 million in campaign contributions to the members of the U.S. House and Senate expected to be sworn in January 3, 2025, according to a ...
Early morning, the shadows still long, but you can already feel the warmth building. Our motel was across the road from the historic homestead where Henry Williams' family lived. The evening before, we wandered around the gardens, reading the plaques and enjoying the close proximity to the history of the ...
Thanks folks for your feedback, votes and comments this week. I’ll be making the changes soon. Appreciate all your emails, comments and subscriptions too. I know your time is valuable - muchas gracias.A lot is happening both here and around the world - so I want to provide a snippets ...
Data released today by Statistics NZ shows that unemployment rose to 5.1%, with 33,000 more people out of work than last year said NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi Economist Craig Renney. “The latest data shows that employment fell in Aotearoa at its fastest rate since the GFC. Unemployment rose in 8 ...
The December labour market statistics have been released, showing yet another increase in unemployment. There are now 156,000 unemployed - 34,000 more than when National took office. And having thrown all these people out of work, National is doubling down on cruelty. Because being vicious will somehow magically create the ...
Boarded up homes in Kilbirnie, where work on a planned development was halted. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāLong stories short, the top six things in our political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Wednesday, February 5 are;Housing Minister Chris Bishop yesterday announcedKāinga Ora would be stripped of ...
This week Kiwirail and Auckland Transport were celebrating the completion of the summer rail works that had the network shut or for over a month and the start of electric trains to Pukekohe. First up, here’s parts of the press release about the shutdown works. Passengers boarding trains in Auckland ...
Through its austerity measures, the coalition government has engineered a rise in unemployment in order to reduce inflation while – simultaneously – cracking down harder and harder on the people thrown out of work by its own policies. To that end, Social Development Minister Louise Upston this week added two ...
This year, we've seen a radical, white supremacist government ignoring its Tiriti obligations, refusing to consult with Māori, and even trying to legislatively abrogate te Tiriti o Waitangi. When it was criticised by the Waitangi Tribunal, the government sabotaged that body, replacing its legal and historical experts with corporate shills, ...
Poor old democracy, it really is in a sorry state. It would be easy to put all the blame on the vandals and tyrants presently trashing the White House, but this has been years in the making. It begins with Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan and the spirit of Gordon ...
The new school lunches came in this week, and they were absolutely scrumptious.I had some, and even though Connor said his tasted like “stodge” and gave him a sore tummy, I myself loved it!Look at the photos - I knew Mr Seymour wouldn’t lie when he told us last year:"It ...
The tighter sanctions are modelled on ones used in Britain, which did push people off ‘the dole’, but didn’t increase the number of workers, and which evidence has repeatedly shown don’t work. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāLong stories short, the top six things in our political economy around housing, ...
Catching you up on the morning’s global news and a quick look at the parallels -GLOBALTariffs are backSharemarkets in the US, UK and Europe have “plunged” in response to Trump’s tariffs. And while Mexico has won a one month reprieve, Canada and China will see their respective 25% and 10% ...
This post by Nicolas Reid was originally published on Linked in. It is republished here with permission. Gondolas are often in the news, with manufacturers of ropeway systems proposing them as a modern option for mass transit systems in New Zealand. However, like every next big thing in transport, it’s hard ...
This is a re-post from The Climate BrinkBoth 2023 and 2024 were exceptionally warm years, at just below and above 1.5C relative to preindustrial in the WMO composite of surface temperature records, respectively. While we are still working to assess the full set of drivers of this warmth, it is clear that ...
Hi,I woke up feeling nervous this morning, realising that this weekend Flightless Bird is going to do it’s first ever live show. We’re heading to a sold out (!) show in Seattle to test the format out in front of an audience. If it works, we’ll do more. I want ...
From the United-For-Now States of America comes the thrilling news that a New Zealander may be at the very heart of the current coup. Punching above our weight on the world stage once more! Wait, you may be asking, what New Zealander? I speak of Peter Thiel, made street legal ...
Even Stevens: Over the 33 years between 1990 and 2023 (and allowing for the aberrant 2020 result) the average level of support enjoyed by the Left and Right blocs, at roughly 44.5 percent each, turns out to be, as near as dammit, identical.WORLDWIDE, THE PARTIES of the Left are presented ...
Back in 2023, a "prominent political figure" went on trial for historic sex offences. But we weren't allowed to know who they were or what political party they were "prominent" in, because it might affect the way we voted. At the time, I said that this was untenable; it was ...
I'm going, I'm goingWhere the water tastes like wineI'm going where the water tastes like wineWe can jump in the waterStay drunk all the timeI'm gonna leave this city, got to get awayI'm gonna leave this city, got to get awayAll this fussing and fighting, man, you know I sure ...
Waitangi Day is a time to honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi and stand together for a just and fair Aotearoa. Across the motu, communities are gathering to reflect, kōrero, and take action for a future built on equity and tino rangatiratanga. From dawn ceremonies to whānau-friendly events, there are ...
Subscribe to Mountain Tūī ! Where you too can learn about exciting things from a flying bird! Tweet.Yes - I absolutely suck at marketing. It’s a fact.But first -My question to all readers is:How should I set up the Substack model?It’s been something I’ve been meaning to ask since November ...
Here’s the key news, commentary, reports and debate around Aotearoa’s political economy on politics and in the week to Feb 3:PM Christopher Luxon began 2025’s first day of Parliament last Tuesday by carrying on where left off in 2024, letting National’s junior coalition partner set the political agenda and dragging ...
The PSA have released a survey of 4000 public service workers showing that budget cuts are taking a toll on the wellbeing of public servants and risking the delivery of essential services to New Zealanders. Economists predict that figures released this week will show continued increases in unemployment, potentially reaching ...
The Prime Minister’s speech 10 days or so ago kicked off a flurry of commentary. No one much anywhere near the mainstream (ie excluding Greens supporters) questioned the rhetoric. New Zealand has done woefully poorly on productivity for a long time and we really need better outcomes, and the sorts ...
President Trump on the day he announced tariffs against Mexico, Canada and China, unleashing a shock to supply chains globally that is expected to slow economic growth and increase inflation for most large economies. Photo: Getty ImagesLong stories short, the top six things in our political economy around housing, climate ...
Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on UnsplashHere’s what we’re watching in the week to February 9 and beyond in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty:Monday, February 3Politics: New Zealand Government cabinet meeting usually held early afternoon with post-cabinet news conference possible at 4 pm, although they have not been ...
Trump being Trump, it won’t come as a shock to find that he regards a strong US currency (bolstered by high tariffs on everything made by foreigners) as a sign of America’s virility, and its ability to kick sand in the face of the world. Reality is a tad more ...
A listing of 24 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, January 26, 2025 thru Sat, February 1, 2025. This week's roundup is again published soleley by category. We are still interested in feedback to hone the categorization, so if ...
What seems to be the common theme in the US, NZ, Argentina and places like Italy under their respective rightwing governments is what I think of as “the politics of cruelty.” Hate-mongering, callous indifference in social policy-making, corporate toadying, political bullying, intimidation and punching down on the most vulnerable with ...
If you are confused, check with the sunCarry a compass to help you alongYour feet are going to be on the groundYour head is there to move you aroundSo, stand in the place where you liveSongwriters: Bill Berry / Michael Mills / Michael Stipe / Peter Buck.Hot in the CityYesterday, ...
Shane Jones announced today he would be contracting out his thinking to a smarter younger person.Reclining on his chaise longue with a mouth full of oysters and Kina he told reporters:Clearly I have become a has-been, a palimpsest, an epigone, a bloviating fossil. I find myself saying such things as: ...
Warning: This post contains references to sexual assaultOn Saturday, I spent far too long editing a video on Tim Jago, the ACT Party President and criminal, who has given up his fight for name suppression after 2 years. He voluntarily gave up just in time for what will be a ...
New Zealand First has today introduced a Member’s Bill which would restore decision-making power to local communities regarding the fluoridation of drinking water. The ‘Fluoridation (Referendum) Legislation Bill’ seeks to repeal the Health (Fluoridation of Drinking Water) Amendment Act 2021 that granted centralised authority to the Direct General of Health ...
New Zealand First has introduced a Member’s Bill aimed at preventing banks from refusing their services to businesses because of the current “Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Framework”. “This Bill ensures fairness and prevents ESG standards from perpetuating woke ideology in the banking sector being driven by unelected, globalist, climate ...
Erica Stanford has reached peak shortsightedness if today’s announcement is anything to go by, picking apart immigration settings piece by piece to the detriment of the New Zealand economy. ...
Our originating document, theTreaty of Waitangi, was signed on February 6, 1840. An agreement between Māori and the British Crown. Initially inked by Ngā Puhi in Waitangi, further signatures were added as it travelled south. The intention was to establish a colony with the cession of sovereignty to the Crown, ...
Te Whatu Ora Chief Executive Margie Apa leaving her job four months early is another symptom of this government’s failure to deliver healthcare for New Zealanders. ...
The Green Party is calling for the Prime Minister to show leadership and be unequivocal about Aotearoa New Zealand’s opposition to a proposal by the US President to remove Palestinians from Gaza. ...
The latest unemployment figures reveal that job losses are hitting Māori and Pacific people especially hard, with Māori unemployment reaching a staggering 9.7% for the December 2024 quarter and Pasifika unemployment reaching 10.5%. ...
Waitangi 2025: Waitangi Day must be community and not politically driven - Shane Jones Our originating document, theTreaty of Waitangi, was signed on February 6, 1840. An agreement between Māori and the British Crown. Initially inked by Ngā Puhi in Waitangi, further signatures were added as it travelled south. ...
Despite being confronted every day with people in genuine need being stopped from accessing emergency housing – National still won’t commit to building more public houses. ...
The Green Party says the Government is giving up on growing the country’s public housing stock, despite overwhelming evidence that we need more affordable houses to solve the housing crisis. ...
Before any thoughts of the New Year and what lies ahead could even be contemplated, New Zealand reeled with the tragedy of Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming losing her life. For over 38 years she had faithfully served as a front-line Police officer. Working alongside her was Senior Sergeant Adam Ramsay ...
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson will return to politics at Waitangi on Monday the 3rd of February where she will hold a stand up with fellow co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick. ...
Te Pāti Māori is appalled by the government's blatant mishandling of the school lunch programme. David Seymour’s ‘cost-saving’ measures have left tamariki across Aotearoa with unidentifiable meals, causing distress and outrage among parents and communities alike. “What’s the difference between providing inedible food, and providing no food at all?” Said ...
The Government is doubling down on outdated and volatile fossil fuels, showing how shortsighted and destructive their policies are for working New Zealanders. ...
Green Party MP Steve Abel this morning joined Coromandel locals in Waihi to condemn new mining plans announced by Shane Jones in the pit of the town’s Australian-owned Gold mine. ...
The Green Party is calling on the Government to strengthen its just-announced 2030-2035 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement and address its woeful lack of commitment to climate security. ...
Today marks a historic moment for Taranaki iwi with the passing of the Te Pire Whakatupua mō Te Kāhui Tupua/Taranaki Maunga Collective Redress Bill in Parliament. "Today, we stand together as descendants of Taranaki, and our tūpuna, Taranaki Maunga, is now formally acknowledged by the law as a living tūpuna. ...
Labour is relieved to see Children’s Minister Karen Chhour has woken up to reality and reversed her government’s terrible decisions to cut funding from frontline service providers – temporarily. ...
It is the first week of David Seymour’s school lunch programme and already social media reports are circulating of revolting meals, late deliveries, and mislabelled packaging. ...
The Green Party says that with no-cause evictions returning from today, the move to allow landlords to end tenancies without reason plunges renters, and particularly families who rent, into insecurity and stress. ...
The Government’s move to increase speed limits substantially on dozens of stretches of rural and often undivided highways will result in more serious harm. ...
In her first announcement as Economic Growth Minister, Nicola Willis chose to loosen restrictions for digital nomads from other countries, rather than focus on everyday Kiwis. ...
The Government’s commitment to get New Zealand’s roads back on track is delivering strong results, with around 98 per cent of potholes on state highways repaired within 24 hours of identification every month since targets were introduced, Transport Minister Chris Bishop says. “Increasing productivity to help rebuild our economy is ...
The former Cadbury factory will be the site of the Inpatient Building for the new Dunedin Hospital and Health Minister Simeon Brown says actions have been taken to get the cost overruns under control. “Today I am giving the people of Dunedin certainty that we will build the new Dunedin ...
From today, Plunket in Whāngarei will be offering childhood immunisations – the first of up to 27 sites nationwide, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. The investment of $1 million into the pilot, announced in October 2024, was made possible due to the Government’s record $16.68 billion investment in health. It ...
New Zealand’s strong commitment to the rights of disabled people has continued with the response to an important United Nations report, Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston has announced. Of the 63 concluding observations of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), 47 will be progressed ...
Resources Minister Shane Jones has launched New Zealand’s national Minerals Strategy and Critical Minerals List, documents that lay a strategic and enduring path for the mineral sector, with the aim of doubling exports to $3 billion by 2035. Mr Jones released the documents, which present the Coalition Government’s transformative vision ...
Firstly I want to thank OceanaGold for hosting our event today. Your operation at Waihi is impressive. I want to acknowledge local MP Scott Simpson, local government dignitaries, community stakeholders and all of you who have gathered here today. It’s a privilege to welcome you to the launch of the ...
Racing Minister, Winston Peters has announced the Government is preparing public consultation on GST policy proposals which would make the New Zealand racing industry more competitive. “The racing industry makes an important economic contribution. New Zealand thoroughbreds are in demand overseas as racehorses and for breeding. The domestic thoroughbred industry ...
Business confidence remains very high and shows the economy is on track to improve, Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis says. “The latest ANZ Business Outlook survey, released yesterday, shows business confidence and expected own activity are ‘still both very high’.” The survey reports business confidence fell eight points to +54 ...
Enabling works have begun this week on an expanded radiology unit at Hawke’s Bay Fallen Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital which will double CT scanning capacity in Hawke’s Bay to ensure more locals can benefit from access to timely, quality healthcare, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. This investment of $29.3m in the ...
The Government has today announced New Zealand’s second international climate target under the Paris Agreement, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand will reduce emissions by 51 to 55 per cent compared to 2005 levels, by 2035. “We have worked hard to set a target that is both ambitious ...
Nine years of negotiations between the Crown and iwi of Taranaki have concluded following Te Pire Whakatupua mō Te Kāhui Tupua/the Taranaki Maunga Collective Redress Bill passing its third reading in Parliament today, Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “This Bill addresses the historical grievances endured by the eight iwi ...
As schools start back for 2025, there will be a relentless focus on teaching the basics brilliantly so all Kiwi kids grow up with the knowledge, skills and competencies needed to grow the New Zealand of the future, Education Minister Erica Stanford says. “A world-leading education system is a key ...
Housing Minister Chris Bishop and Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson have welcomed Kāinga Ora’s decision to re-open its tender for carpets to allow wool carpet suppliers to bid. “In 2024 Kāinga Ora issued requests for tender (RFTs) seeking bids from suppliers to carpet their properties,” Mr Bishop says. “As part ...
Associate Education Minister David Seymour has today visited Otahuhu College where the new school lunch programme has served up healthy lunches to students in the first days of the school year. “As schools open in 2025, the programme will deliver nutritious meals to around 242,000 students, every school day. On ...
Minister for Children Karen Chhour has intervened in Oranga Tamariki’s review of social service provider contracts to ensure Barnardos can continue to deliver its 0800 What’s Up hotline. “When I found out about the potential impact to this service, I asked Oranga Tamariki for an explanation. Based on the information ...
A bill to make revenue collection on imported and exported goods fairer and more effective had its first reading in Parliament, Customs Minister Casey Costello said today. “The Customs (Levies and Other Matters) Amendment Bill modernises the way in which Customs can recover the costs of services that are needed ...
Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Department of Internal Affairs [the Department] has achieved significant progress in completing applications for New Zealand citizenship. “December 2024 saw the Department complete 5,661 citizenship applications, the most for any month in 2024. This is a 54 per cent increase compared ...
Reversals to Labour’s blanket speed limit reductions begin tonight and will be in place by 1 July, says Minister of Transport Chris Bishop. “The previous government was obsessed with slowing New Zealanders down by imposing illogical and untargeted speed limit reductions on state highways and local roads. “National campaigned on ...
Finance Minister Nicola Willis has announced Budget 2025 – the Growth Budget - will be delivered on Thursday 22 May. “This year’s Budget will drive forward the Government’s plan to grow our economy to improve the incomes of New Zealanders now and in the years ahead. “Budget 2025 will build ...
For the Government, 2025 will bring a relentless focus on unleashing the growth we need to lift incomes, strengthen local businesses and create opportunity. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today laid out the Government’s growth agenda in his Statement to Parliament. “Just over a year ago this Government was elected by ...
Associate Education Minister David Seymour welcomes students back to school with a call to raise attendance from last year. “The Government encourages all students to attend school every day because there is a clear connection between being present at school and setting yourself up for a bright future,” says Mr ...
The Government is relaxing visitor visa requirements to allow tourists to work remotely while visiting New Zealand, Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis, Immigration Minister Erica Stanford and Tourism Minister Louise Upston say. “The change is part of the Government’s plan to unlock New Zealand’s potential by shifting the country onto ...
The opening of Kāinga Ora’s development of 134 homes in Epuni, Lower Hutt will provide much-needed social housing for Hutt families, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “I’ve been a strong advocate for social housing on Kāinga Ora’s Epuni site ever since the old earthquake-prone housing was demolished in 2015. I ...
Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay will travel to Australia today for meetings with Australian Trade Minister, Senator Don Farrell, and the Australia New Zealand Leadership Forum (ANZLF). Mr McClay recently hosted Minister Farrell in Rotorua for the annual Closer Economic Relations (CER) Trade Ministers’ meeting, where ANZLF presented on ...
A new monthly podiatry clinic has been launched today in Wairoa and will bring a much-needed service closer to home for the Wairoa community, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.“Health New Zealand has been successful in securing a podiatrist until the end of June this year to meet the needs of ...
The Judicial Conduct Commissioner has recommended a Judicial Conduct Panel be established to inquire into and report on the alleged conduct of acting District Court Judge Ema Aitken in an incident last November, Attorney-General Judith Collins said today. “I referred the matter of Judge Aitken’s alleged conduct during an incident ...
Students who need extra help with maths are set to benefit from a targeted acceleration programme that will give them more confidence in the classroom, Education Minister Erica Stanford says. “Last year, significant numbers of students did not meet the foundational literacy and numeracy level required to gain NCEA. To ...
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has announced three new diplomatic appointments. “Our diplomats play an important role in ensuring New Zealand’s interests are maintained and enhanced across the world,” Mr Peters says. “It is a pleasure to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and ...
Ki te kahore he whakakitenga, ka ngaro te Iwi – without a vision, the people will perish. The Government has achieved its target to reduce the number of households in emergency housing motels by 75 per cent five years early, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. The number of households ...
The opening of Palmerston North’s biggest social housing development will have a significant impact for whānau in need of safe, warm, dry housing, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. The minister visited the development today at North Street where a total of 50 two, three, and four-bedroom homes plus a ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced the new membership of the Public Advisory Committee on Disarmament and Arms Control (PACDAC), who will serve for a three-year term. “The Committee brings together wide-ranging expertise relevant to disarmament. We have made six new appointments to the Committee and reappointed two existing members ...
Ka nui te mihi kia koutou. Kia ora, good morning, talofa, malo e lelei, bula vinaka, da jia hao, namaste, sat sri akal, assalamu alaikum. It’s so great to be here and I’m ready and pumped for 2025. Can I start by acknowledging: Simon Bridges – CEO of the Auckland ...
The Government has unveiled a bold new initiative to position New Zealand as a premier destination for foreign direct investment (FDI) that will create higher paying jobs and grow the economy. “Invest New Zealand will streamline the investment process and provide tailored support to foreign investors, to increase capital investment ...
Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins today announced the largest reset of the New Zealand science system in more than 30 years with reforms which will boost the economy and benefit the sector. “The reforms will maximise the value of the $1.2 billion in government funding that goes into ...
Turbocharging New Zealand’s economic growth is the key to brighter days ahead for all Kiwis, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says. In the Prime Minister’s State of the Nation Speech in Auckland today, Christopher Luxon laid out the path to the prosperity that will affect all aspects of New Zealanders’ lives. ...
The latest set of accounts show the Government has successfully checked the runaway growth of public spending, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. “In the previous government’s final five months in office, public spending was almost 10 per cent higher than for the same period the previous year. “That is completely ...
The Government’s welfare reforms are delivering results with the number of people moving off benefits into work increasing year-on-year for six straight months. “There are positive signs that our welfare reset and the return consequences for job seekers who don't fulfil their obligations to prepare for or find a job ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By A J Brown, Professor of Public Policy & Law, Centre for Governance & Public Policy, Griffith University Australia has turned the corner on its decade-long slide on Transparency International’s annual Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), once again ranking in the top ten least ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nicole Bridges, Senior Lecturer in Public Relations and Director of Academic Program – Communication, Creative Industries, Screen Media, Western Sydney University Stock Rocket/Shutterstock For new parents struggling with challenges such as breastfeeding and sleep deprivation, social media can be a great ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Scott French, Senior Lecturer in Economics, UNSW Sydney US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese have stated an exemption for Australia from Trump’s executive order placing 25% tariffs on all steel and aluminium imported into the US is “under consideration”. ...
Analysis - Christopher Luxon's attempts to turn the tables back on the Opposition at Question Time today went down like a lead balloon, Jo Moir writes. ...
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It seems that the cops culture of contempt for rape victims has not changed:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11152671
Four complaints. Someone should be losing their job over this.
“However a 15-year-old girl told 3News last night when she complained in 2011 about being sexually assaulted by two young men when she was 13, the line of questioning centred on the clothes she was wearing and why she had chosen to go out with the group.”
That is straight out of the 80s. I thought we had at least put processes in place so that rape victims got appropriate support when they first approached police and weren’t subjected to that. At the very least now, after an inquiry, ALL police stations in NZ should be required to have a protocol in place that prevents this shit. Women need an outside advocate and they need to be interviewd by police who have training in sexual assault cases including how to not retraumatise victims.
Would like to know where DSAC are in all this http://www.dsac.org.nz/
(Assuming I heard this guy on Radio NZ correctly – District Commander Bill Searle?) Nice to know that the difference between formal and informal complaints is entirely arbitrary and a matter that the police themselves decide.
Which utterly destroys their previous argument that their hands were tied by the lack of formal complaints.
Wankers.
What station was the father of the rape group member working in?
4 complaints. Nothing happened.
Now, all of a sudden, they’ve issued search warrants.
Search warrants that will turn up absolutely nothing. On the assumption those guys aren’t utterly thick, any hard drives etc will have been ‘lost’, ie smashed up and disposed of.
Facebook will have copies of the photos and videos that they uploaded.
May I suggest that people nominate a particular night of the week for a particular type of meal – as Catholics eat fish on Fridays, perhaps the non-vegetarians here would like to eat pork one night?
No, sorry, that’s unkind to pigs.
if the cap fits..eh..?
..this is ‘the 17 dumbest things vegetarians have to put up with’..
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/04/vegetarians-dumbest-things_n_4177147.html?utm_hp_ref=mostpopular
phillip ure..
one of the girls thinks she was drugged, she had one drink of beer & passed out. their facebook page was full of images of drugs, not just weed but iv drugs! chilling.
Never fear Collins is having the ‘Independent’ Police Conduct Authority look into it, she is also having carpet and huge broom delivered as well.
Wairarapa, Rewa, Rotorua rape files just put into a filing cabinet. There were some recommendations by the IPCA regarding the Wairarapa and Rotorua files and the Rewa rape files are to be investigated.
Once again another complaint is going to the IPCA regarding miscommunication of a rape file which has caused further distress to the complainant.
It’s going to have to be a big carpet. Which galaxy do you think would provide a comparison?
Oh fuck! As the self-appointed person in charge of Natzi leaving presents – I never thought of that.
Maybe instead of thinking “what do I wish for” from the point of view of Natzis, I should be thinking in terms of the ‘ephermeral’ (see below)
Good pint Mr Smith!
I’ll take you contributions ‘on board’ (going forward).
Yes yes …. a far better option for the hard-pressed Tex Pay-ya
But then …. I know Pulla is rilly rilly ateched to them spots.
Keep in touch fella – together: we can work it out – in the spirit of ‘ne – go – shay -shun’
We shud talk – my agent will be in tuch
“Dust Busters”
DSAC spokeswoman on Radio NZ seems to be of the persuasion that women and girls failing to negotiate the current fcked up culture of sex and sexuality is ‘sad’ and that education on how better to negotiate it is a solution. Now, maybe it’s just me, but that seems to in in parallel with ‘suggestions’ made by rape culture apologists to the effect that women and girls should behave differently, take more care, dress differently etc.
Nothing about challenging patriarchy – it’s assumptions, values, impacts or how it exhibits and unfolds throughout our culture, society and institutions. Seems that absolutely necessary discussion is off the table. So, there will be a police inquiry…there may be some campaign on saying no…there will be internet bills and….yup, everything will carry on as before
Did she use that term … “failing to negotiate”?
But then, even if she didn’t, just putting across the idea that a 13 year-old has ‘failed’ her sexual education by not understanding the sexual vileness of older teens is a little bit too blamey for a DSAC isn’t it? Why would a young girl submit to a doctor who thinks she’s ‘failed’?
Why isn’t she commenting on how young people are being failed by the belief that they can, with no consequences to themselves, use people… make fun of people… hurt people for self gratification? And yes, why isn’t she commenting on where that belief comes from?
No, I’m not saying she used that term (she may have). My comment is my interpretation of or distillation of her position.
As for DSAC not challenging patriarchy, I’m not actually surprised – I mean, the entire medical profession is extremely patriarchal. All our institutions are to one degree or other.
Way I see it is that it’s so much in plain view as to be rendered invisible. Maybe, to borrow an analogy from one of the links Joe90 provided in the ‘Don’t Wring Your Hands’ thread, it’s as though, having been locked in a red room since birth we are then removed from it and asked to describe the colour ‘red’.
Plato and the cave?????
22.3 A prudent [person] sees danger and takes refuge, Yet the simple keep going (touching up the paint) and suffer for it.
“As for DSAC not challenging patriarchy, I’m not actually surprised – I mean, the entire medical profession is extremely patriarchal. All our institutions are to one degree or other.”
Yes and no. DSAC were set up originally precisely because some doctors (and rape crisis people I think) saw the desperate need to have doctors do post-rape exams who knew what they were doing in being with a rape victim ie protecting them from the prevailing culture which was further traumatising women. I think it also ensured that women doctors were available.
But yeah, medicine and the patriarchy.
Aren’t they required by law to have a social worker (as advocate) in on those interviews with a child?
No, it sounds like the police have tried to sweep it under the carpet. IMO, that’s how they managed to lose four complaints.
That and the rape culture we have in NZ backed up by the likes of idiots like yourself.
http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-31052012/#comment-477832
From what I can see, DTB was referring to the age of consent. As such, nothing to do with rape, unless the argument is that the consenting person is unable to consent due entirely to their age and regardless of the law deeming them to be person capable of consent.
Hi Bill
I’ve just read the link and I must say I’m concerned that we on the left can’t bring ourselves to condemn underage sex as outlined in the link.
As a grandparent I’m having bug problems coming to terms with what has come out in the media over the last few days from the stupification and rape of teens to the apparent almost indifference of the police and the defence of the gang who did this by the group of girls who were their school friends.
http://www.3news.co.nz/Roast-Busters-actions-defended/tabid/423/articleID/320166/Default.aspx#.Unrnu5E5EyE
The female friends of the Roast Busters told 3 News that Facebook anarchy is now the norm, so too is drunken “group sex”.
“People send it on Snapchat, who cares […] it’s normal in west Auckland, its normal here […] Not for everybody though it’s just the young ones 13- to 15-year-olds – that’s what they do.”
Am I out of touch with today’s society being outraged that I don’t care what the situation is that I’m appalled and consider it to be rape ?
Please check your targets in future…
and adjust your sights. Objections may appear larger in the rear-vision mirror. 🙂
“He refuted a suggestion there was a “culture of disbelief” of sex victims within the police.
“I think what’s happened here is the police officers have done their very best…”
See that would have a modicum of credibility if he didn’t refute, but instead said somethign like yes there are very real issues here and we need to look at what has failed these young women. We believe police did their best so we need to look at what the problem is.
He doesn’t at this stage have to admit specific culpability or assign blame, but at the very least should be expressing empathy with the victims who have been failed. As it is, it just sounds like butt covering and denial and ignorance in the extreme. Why are these people in charge?
“refute”
BULLSHIT.
Any fool with a dictionary knows that to refute means to fully disprove. All that scumbag has done is make a denial.
The official bullshit is going to be flying thick and fast around this. Watch for it and be quick to call it for what it is.
Are you taking about the journalist? I don’t carry a dictionary around with me and I took ‘refute’ in this context to mean deny (refuse to accept).
Fuck.
Pure Rape Culture this be.
What’s to bet though the relevant authorities will just let this officer off with “training” and wont even bother with establishing much needed fucking training for officers on how to deal with rape victims…
I really would like someone from the police to tell me what has changed in 20 years in processing a sexual assault?
I SEE DIRE
Mediocrity Watch No. 8: ED SHEERAN
Our taxes paid for this crap. Sheeran shared on Twitter that he played all of the instruments himself on the track, except for the cello. This display of Sheeranian versatility does nothing to improve what is a dire and unlistenable dirge—quite possibly the worst movie song ever….
http://music-mix.ew.com/2013/11/05/ed-sheeran-song-for-the-hobbit-the-desolation-of-smaug/
Mediocrity Watch aims to keep you informed of—or, to quote the epically mediocre Simon Dallow, to be “right across”—the shoddiest, least professional, most insulting journalism and taxpayer-subsidised-sensitive-singer-songwriting from all over the world, but especially New Zealand. It is produced by DeakerWatch®, a division of Daisycutter Sports Inc.
Check out these other third-raters….
No.7: Paul Little: [Russell Brand] is “petulant, ungracious and unfunny” and a “cut-rate Chomsky”.
No. 6: David Farrar: “Things were generally very relaxed in this area.”
No. 5: Jordan Williams: ““Capping rents seems like a recipe for disaster.”
No. 4: Prof. Robert Patman: “Hezbollah is totally a creature of the Iranian regime.”
No. 3: Jeremy Wells: “What evidence is there that secondhand smoking does any harm? Where is the evidence? WHERE IS THE EVIDENCE?”
No. 2: Gavin Gray: “…never been any problems associated with the name King George.”
No. 1: Susie Ferguson: “If, as you say, this has all been done before, why do it all again?”
Thank goodness, for everyones sake police interviews are recorded or videoed. Hopefully the media will focus on transcripts so as not to further divert this from the main issue unnecessarily. To clarify. The victim will be heavily traumatised and her perception of police conduct toward her may not be an entirely fair reflection.
I am not a police apologist by any means.
However if she made the complaint then as soon as they saw the facebook stuff they wld prolly have had enough to issue search warrants on the young mens digital equipment and to interview them.
The assumption seems to remain that the victins word is not enough… hence up to 95% charged get off. That is purely about attitudes to women and an assumption that when it cones to sex their default position is to lie, exaggerate or have post coital remorse… as opposed to an assumption that guys lack self control sexually and see women as chattels.
Amirite and Tracey +100. Its just sickening. Finally after four complaints over the last two years the cops are waking up and doing something about it. Not much. But something at last. And the cops have the powers to (a) take the young men’s digital equipment and strip it right down to find everything they’ve now deleted (b) get that same evidence off Facebook and (c) make a case against those dreadful young trolls.
They’ve started calling the girls ‘ a group’ . Serial rape complainants?
Possibly preparing representative charges. I have no doubt that Bullshit Castle has been given a swift hard kick to take action, by someone by this point. At least, that’s the hope.
Bf made this point this morning that it is the police’s job to gather evidence and do an investigation.
The way they’re behaving is if you don’t provide all necessary evidence up-front to them, they won’t do anything.
+1
I like this guy’s response to misogny in his workplace.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaqpoeVgr8U&feature=player_embedded
Perhaps someone in our police force could do the same ?
” The Government also introduced legislation yesterday that would cut development contributions, which have soared from an average $3000 a section to $14,000 in the past decade.”
I note the legislation doesnt include an obligation on developers to pass on the saving. They will do it cos its the right thing to do.
buwahahahahahahaha
Development contributions are/were meant to help pay for all the things additional subdivisions cost a council – more roading, much greatly improved sewerage schemes, more parks for all the extra people, etc etc. More people into any area means more and more services which are paid for via the rates – so cutting development contributions means more costs to the average Joe and Joanna, and less cost to the rich – again !
Exactly JK and next Tracey will be saying it’s the land prices, land is cheap on the outskirts of town lets build there, does she expects the existing rate-payers will be happy paying for the roads, sewer, storm-water, parks, footpaths, street-lighting etc that service these sections.
All these people we are forced to live next too! They cost us money, and I have to stand up on the bus. People, that’s the problem.
It’s the sprawl that costs us – more sprawl, most cost. If we want to lower rates and have cheaper living then we need to build upwards and not outwards.
Need to make it clear that building more subdivisions pushes up rates. That will upset National and the land-bankers.
Xox
I can see Ben Uffendal’s headline
” Police need funding increase to pursue teenage sex case”
My employers partner is just off the phone to her daughter in England who has just done her weekly grocery shopping for a grand total of £28
Bacon 90p for 500g
1 Dozen Egg 38p
Feta Cheese 65p
Blue Cheese £1.20
Cucumber 65p
Cheddar Cheese 500g £1.80
…and on it goes.
….. and my daughter, just back from living there, tells a similar tale.
There’s another thing a new government should review ….. the ineptitude of our Commerce Commission.
Commerce Commission has been deliberately starved, hamstrung and misdirected by the NATs. So not really their fault. I’m hoping Labour give it real teeth and increased independence, very soon.
I Don’t disagree TL, but they have, over the years, allowed duopoly positions to emerge.
I recall back in 2006, or 2007 some of those ‘bloody academics’ from Vic Uni showing that the structure in the supply chain by the ‘big 2’ meant small producers were being penalised.
The CC should be commended on their recent decisions, but their ideas on what constitutes effective competition are sometimes pretty bloody suspect.
They need ‘guidelines’ obviously. In my mind, there should never be a situation EVER where a NZ public pays a higher price for locally produced goods than does a foreign market.
The NZ public will be expected to pay for whatever cleanup of shit infested waters is necessary whilst paying a premium for dairy products.
These so called ‘free market’ principles really are a scam at times.
I’ve seen NZ salmon sold a damn sight cheaper in Australia ffs! (even taking into account exchange rates and so on).
Building materials …. how’s THAT ffs!
Maybe there needs to be some sort of quota system applied to locally produced goods that must be sold locally – I don’t know but then the CC should be the experts
You can’t get effective competition in what amounts to natural monopolies:- Power, telecommunications, supermarkets…
Nothing wrong with farmers markets though.
I’m in two minds about supermarkets. The manner in which that supply chain has been constructed over the past few decades means that they’re now natural monopolies/duopolies I guess.
Fuck em! I usually try to make a point of ONLY buying their loss leader items wherever possible. I wish more did, but for some – they’re now the new Town Hall and flirting venue.
Certainly anything that constitutes a grid type arrangement – roads; rail; electricity, water, sewer reticulation; local loop and national/international backbone.
(I’m a moderate doncha know) 😉
I’ve read various comments, eg on stuff, where poms say that in England it was soo much cheaper to eat at home, because the food was cheap and service in restaurants was a lot more expensive.
Now living in NZ, they don’t see any reason to eat at home, because the food is expensive and service in restaurants is cheap.
There’s a show on BBC Radio 4 called The Food Programme which looks at these kinds of issues. One episode looked at people feeding themselves for 10-15 pounds per week.
Of course, there have beeen corners cut in British food as a result of the heavy price pressure – the horsemeat scandal in particular.
With 50 units of local currency in the UK or Europe, you will be unable to get the shopping home without transport, preferable private. That includes the higher quality stores such as Waitrose and Marks n Spencer.
In NZ, 50 units of currency gets you the basics, which requires little more than a two bags, or a number of bags filled with refined sugar/salt junk products.
The UK, for example has a high number competition in the market, not to mention the 60m+ population base. They also have a wonderful selection of food, which far eclipse the shite we have on offer in the supermarkets here in NZ, which is pitiful in comparision. Should be reasons why people make use of farmers markets etc, move away from the supermarkets here, they are a bad joke!
NZ has two channels , an effective monopoly, and 4.5 million people!
Simple equations involved, but in NZ, we are getting completely ripped off over and above for every life sustaining necessity, food, water, energy, shelter, clothing…
Great lifestyle here though, and how about those AB’s!
+1 !
We’ve been sold the coolaid for far too long.
The examples are endless.
How about “export quality meat”. Doesn’t that imply that we (as the producing country) should be expected to be happy with something less than export quality?
Like err, maybe meat pumped with water, or with additives to ensure redness – all brought to us by people who are on wages that only just let them get by (unless of course they do as much overtime as they able, or maybe even 2 jobs).
Eat, sleep, shit, do the laundry (so those nice little uniforms are spik & span), work….. eat, sleep, shit, etc.
(They don’t know how lucky they are aye!!!! In my day I had to walk 5 miles to school every day and five miles home again and I didn’t complain – besides, that nice Mr Key is looking after them)
Just been in UK/Europe/USA….your points all valid. Lovely places but they don’t have the ABs. And they are too populous for me.
Apart from their subsidised prices..they have one good thing in common …(except for the US) they all seem to have far more tolerant populaces than our standard Kiwi authoritarians dressed up as social liberals (there’s plenty on this site who would claim to be otherwise)….still despite the prices here is home.
ae, Nu Zillund is an authoritarian’s jet black cream.
I hope to be in charge of leaving presents for departing Natzi MP’s.
Pulla Bent, Judith (Jude to her mates), Soimun and a couple of others will be getting Jack Boots after a formal fitting in Northern Italy where a ‘fact finding musshun’ will have occurred, and both Jude and Pulla – just because of their EXTENSIVE contributions will be getting leopard or tiger skin fatigues fresh from the Philibit Tiger Reserve.
In addition, they’ll all be getting Tiwai menyafekchard ledders mounted on bearings, equipped with flex rope from the Bay of Plenny that enables them to be pulled into an upright position – well away from ground level. There’s an ex-railway workshop in the deep south that’s putting in a tender that’ll hopefully come out cheaper than the Choinoise.
Unfortunately Pulla, Jude and Soimun haven’t yet indicated their departure is imminent – so I’ve got a bit of time before I run out of life.’
I’ve just got one problem so far though. The bloody ‘nargies’ don’t want a bar of it!
They’re still a bit pissed off that a couple of their students who lodged formal complaints about employers ripping them off were ‘deported’.
Never mind tho’ aye – a FTA is in the wind (like FUK!) (at least in terms of the definition of “free”)
The jobs yours: the image of Jude and Pulla in tiger skin fatigues scares the crap out of me. Nightmare on Queen St..
@ ‘great lifestyles here’..
..and don’t forget ‘nz’s got talent’..!
(..you can think/dream about that while paying yr supermarket-bill..
..it’ll help blunt the pain..a little…)
..phillip ure..
Does VAT apply to food in England?
We had a visitor from Manchester who was appalled at Australian grocery prices. Someone is making a lot of money out of us all, and it’s not the farmers or growers. Maybe a future government could help establish a producers’ co-op to get food to people at reasonable prices, and without GST. Anyone who didn’t relish the taste of “socialist food” would be welcome to continue with the main supermarket chains.
Apparently Key is a nice guy, it is that mean Mr English that does all the mean things
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11152668
No exception for first home buyers in LVR? That was Mr English that convinced Mr key to not fight for that.
GST changes? Mr English again!
However Mr Key managed to win a debate on labour law reforms
A pretty transparent interview by Audrey Young. Bad cop English versus Good cop Key the friend of the poor and the downtrodden. What a nice man that Key fellow is.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=11152582
And a bit more realism from the same interview from strangely John Armstrong. Specially liked Bill’s view of John:
“He’s endlessly capable of everything, I assure you – catching fish, cooking pasta, making up policy, being friends with the Queen. There is nothing this man can’t do.”
Faint praise anyone?
Gosh, what a Guy, lets sit him atop the pyre.
‘
As sickening as that New Zealand Fox News Herald’s two-part hagiography was, it did highlight the fact that there’s still some considerable niggle between John Key and Blinglish. In the first part, John Key tries, as you point out, to deflect taking responsibility for further excluding first-home buyers from the market. (Yeah, right.) Then, in the second part, Blinglish says . . .
. . . blatantly and completely undermining John Key’s earlier statement about the LVR. Classic, and another lie to add to John Key’s elephantine list. Thanks Blinglish. Also, good on you for finally realising that your own lie regarding your place of residence is no longer sustainable. I guess you’ve paid off the Karori mortgage now, eh Bill?
That National Party having been presenting a number of their cauacus as “nice people ” recently through the media. While they make Key out to be a good old boy they are attacking Cunliffe making out he cant be trusted.
Well the amount of flip flops Cunliffe has done means he cant be trusted
Flip flops? Do you mean the shoes?
‘
Fuckish Rogue is probably referring to Cunliffe’s flip-flops on charter schools and SkyCity.
Well theres that as well as his clarification of what on his CV plus his ability to say one thing to one audience (the unions) then something different to another group (business)
Do you watch all of Paula’s speeches in parliament? For someone as idiotic as you, they must be better than viagra. And that Collins? Be still, my beating heart.
Guess what? When I was fixing bikes, I would talk about right side roller mains to a Triumph owner, and bushes to a BSA guy. I obviously couldn’t be trusted. More than that, when I went snapper fishing, I would talk about pilchards, mullet and squid with my fishing mate, but I was careful not to mention these while trout fishing.
Gunna giv’em a taste of your stinkfist for wearing jandals too are you…
Iha, a perfect circumnavigation across Mer de Noms
This Pukish one is “such an inspiration for the ways that’ll never ever choose to be…..”
Lolz, a small chortle when having a scroll down the Herald online edition this morning, anyone else noticed this little gem,
Scrolling down the page looking at the clickable links there’s a headline for:
Politics Headlines:
Top stories:
And snigger i kid you not, a headline to a pile of clickable links: NZ National Party Headlines,
The official voice of the NZ National Party, the Pravda of the South Pacific, the NZ Herald…
Can’t say as I see this as a problem:
Now, if the government would step forward to support our ow artists we could fill the gaps with our own shows.
so..instead of ‘homeland’..how about a drama based on the stresses/pressures/personalities/cliff-hanging/nail-biting happenings in.. say..a shearing gang..?
..oh..!..hang on..!
..and for modern familes..a comedy based around a dysfunctional-family..?
..having laffs/coping in the wake of a major earthquake..?
..(working title:..’shaky’..?..(geddit..?..geddit..?.)
..and i haven’t ever seen ‘bones’…
..but isn’t it a will/they/won’t they..ever fuck..again..kinda story/saga..(yawn..!..)
..here..we could call that ‘the len and bevan show’..
..eh..?
..(this week..!..that conference in christchurch..!..will they..?..won’t they..?..
..will bevan take that ‘personal-assistance’ further than her job-description mandates..?
..and yes..!..we have body-fluids..!
..follow every sperm-dropping/clean-up moment..!
..on their bonking in sacred maori places tour of new zealand..
..next week:..’the waitangi-pole’..
..phillip ure..
phillip u
so..instead of ‘homeland’..how about a drama based on the stresses/pressures/personalities/cliff-hanging/nail-biting happenings in.. say..a shearing gang or a gang of political bloggers. Drama, emotion, passion. girls with no clothes on. It couldn’t miss.
I’m a fan of Wind in the Willows. A whimsical, kind little tale about friends and community and understanding each other. Toad is a lively character who gets focussed on one interest at a time and when it was motor cars, went round making car horn sounds ‘Poop, Poop’.
Spring has sprung and I must spring into the garden shouting Poop, Poop. So I’ll go and wrestle with the convolvulus bindweed and vow to be responsible in future and never let it take over and get control again.
And it’s off to the gulag for you.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/05/nadezhda-tolokonnikova-siberia_n_4217448.html
Radio station needs help to sort out it’s rampant rape culture.
This time it’s Radio Live’s nighttime DJ, Andrew Fagan:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11152672
Another RadioLive host has come under fire, this time for an interview with a caller who said she was raped as a 14-year-old.
Night-time host Andrew Fagan copped flak after the woman told how she had met a boy she fancied on the way home from school.
At his house, she drank alcohol for the first time and woke up realising she had lost her virginity.
Fagan asked her if it was consensual. “Did you not hear what I just said?” she replied. He replied: “Yes, but you said you fancied him.”
Well he does fancy KH in a non-committed ‘open’ kinda way, so I guess there’s some sort of binary logic going on there where any sort of sex is OK as long as his partner “fancies” an object.
Logic? Rape culture actually. Which says: if a young woman is attracted to a man then the man has a right to have sex with her. What century are we living in?
Don’t know what Karyn Hay ever saw in this dickhead Andrew Fagan.
He must have forgotten the lyrics he sung :
Don’t walk away from me
I’m not the kind that likes to be put down
Don’t leave me standing here
I’m not kind that likes to be the clown in the rain for the world who must sing
Without you my life’s gonna be forever Tuesday morning
I’m so alone inside I haven’t got the guts to go away……..etc.
Maybe now he could find the guts to say sorry…..or go away, like the rest of that shit Radio Live.
Fagan’s a loudmouth bullshitting wanker at the best of times.
Heard him one night trying to stir up a hornet’s nest by stating as fact that Japanese military got washed up in the North during the war and disappeared into the population.
Then started crapping on about Hone Harawira’s “features” ?
Yeah his bullshit ruined Kiwi FM too. He loves his own voice and Karyn constantly needs to reprimand him like he’s a child.
I live in hope.
http://www.industrytap.com/thorium-fueled-automobile-engine-needs-refueling-once-a-century/15649
http://www.slatesenergy.com/cadillac_thorium_laser.htm
well joe..i followed yr link..
..and then investigated thorium fueled nuclear reactors a little bit more..
..and what can i say..?
..i think as of about 1.45 pm this aft..
..(all things i read being true/up to scratch..
..i too..became a convert to the idea of thorium..
..as a/the(?) fuel for the future..
..now..where to build the first reactor..?
..i reckon northland..
..they need the jobs/economic-fillip this would bring..
..(and quick..!..flog the rest of the power companies off to the mug-elite..!..
..before they hear..
(..those power companies will never be worth this much again..)
..and use some of that money..to build the first thorium-reactor..
..mana/the greens should campaign on this..
(and knock me down with an anti-nuke banner..!..if you told me when i woke up this morn..that i wd end the day a promotor of a branch of the nuke-family..
..i’d have said you were certifiable..eh..?..
..but good ideas are like that..eh..?
..they can be very infectious/caught quick….)
..phillip ure..
A few links inside that may interest you phil.
https://sites.google.com/site/rethinkingnuclearpower/aimhigh
edit: although I do think that an awful lot of the discussion going on is pie in the sky stuff
How user pays really works.
A man’s house burned to the ground, but that wasn’t his only shock — because two weeks later, he received a bill for almost $20,000 from the private fire department that tried to fight it.
[…]
Highlighted on the back of the subscription, it reads, “Response times will vary.” So with the options for people living here are: buy a yearly subscription, which is around $500 from Rural Metro for a service that is 20 miles away or take their chances and get a huge bill if their home burns. A third option is to form their own fire district. It can take months and ultimately a board will decide if they’ll contract out fire service or form a volunteer department.
[…]
Rural Metro does have payment plans, but says it doesn’t give people the option to let their home burn
.http://www.myfoxphoenix.com/story/23888502/2013/11/5/man-gets-20k-bill-from-rural-metro
Sounds like the perfect plan for all those disengaged from society that lock themselves behind the walls of the ‘gated community’. In their case – I’d make it mandatory. They can have their private security firms, police force, roading contractors, ambulances and most other infrastructure as well.
This is going too far
http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2013/11/07/breaking-police-threaten-daily-blog-editor-with-6months-imprisonment-5000-fine-for-parodying-their-roast-buster-rape-inaction/#sthash.vdQx0YFz.dpuf
perfect storm soon? & then this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugsq_ssKh4g hooton storming out of radiolive in disgust with willi & jt!
Never thought I’d be on the same side of the argument as Hooten – but can’t fault him this time.
I think he says at one point that he has daughters, so blah blah.
I’d fault that part of his argument.
Who was the person that almost seemed to be arguing that it was too much to expect a 17/18 year old from west Auckland not to commit an assault…….. or did I mis hear ?
Fuck knows. Someone was saying something like that, but they all sounded like drunk middle aged punters at 1/2 hour to last drinks. “Yeah nah yeah yeah listen wait you said blah mate nah listen but wait on mate wait on a minute I was saying nah mate listen”
pfft.
I didn’t say that on air and you are right it makes no difference – but it does make it a little more personal.
Yeah I was joking really, ‘if I had to quibble, it would be this’ sort of thing. You did good.
+1
Well done pointing out that this isn’t a class issue, Matthew.
Aha, the libertarian left and right unite, I always thought the portraits mirrored! What hope now for rednecks?
“I agree with Matthew”
hmmm so Willie and JT claim Hooton is making middle class judgments and doesn’t understand the working classes.
Reports of rape at elite private schools overseas:
New South Wales
Princeton, US.
The class differences would be in the ability by the authorities to cover it up.
Didn’t think I would ever get some respect for Hooton. Good on him, and good on him for saying fuck you to Willie Jackson’s support of Clint Rickard.
I didn’t hear any of the Radio Live stuff yesterday, but Tamahere and Jackson appear to be saying that brown boys have a hard life and therefore an excuse whereas white boys grow up good and therefore don’t rape. That doesn’t explain why they would be so unsympathetic to the women/girls. Hiding misogyny behind class.
edit: snap karol.
Yes, I also respect Hooten’s stand.Who’d have thought! Thank you to all who are speaking out and writing about this. Very distressing indeed.
Yes, agree, weka. Willie & JT do no service to either Westie males, but are especially MIA with respect to Westie girls and women.
And the fallout continues.
Roast Busters: Companies pull ads from RadioLive
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11153170
A stopped clock turns out to be right. Doesn’t excuse all of Hooton’s other misogynistic and racist statements that he’s cynically made for money. All it means is that they’re so revolting even Hoots is angry.
Completely agree. For a man with such repugnant morals otherwise it was surprising. I’m guessing he’s had some life experience that’s educated him.
The other thing that stands out is the change of tone in Jackson’s voice when he tells Hooton to shut his mouth about Rickards.
Yup, and I’d say the kids sit up and take notice when they hear it.
im probably being a little bit ungenerous but maybe hooton wants to be on the winning side? i mean, who wants to be a rape apologist? (not me!)
Yes that change in tone was very noticeable. Hooton is a hollowman but Jackson and Tamahere are hollow too. I don’t like any of them and that view has been reinforced again.
“All it means is that they’re so revolting even Hoots is angry.”
Exactly, I think I’ll hold off on “Yay Matthew Hooten doesn’t like rape apologists” for now.
Wow. Did anyone see Bomber’s graphic?
http://t.co/IDfkC5V2hR
Ta.
IS got a better lawyer than Bomber perhaps.
Yep sure did
Some one better warn imperator fish.
done
“He always looked pasty-faced!”
The Panel briefly considers the death of Arafat
Radio NZ National, Thursday 7 November 2013
Paul Brennan, Rosemary McLeod, Tim Watkin
Note Tim Watkin’s nervousness, and his skittish laughter, which undermines and trivializes his otherwise intelligent comments…..
PAUL BRENNAN: It’s five minutes to five. All right, this next story. ….[uncomfortable pause]….It appears that the late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat was poisoned by radioactive polonium. Traces of the isotope have been found in his bones. What do you think of this?
ROSEMARY McLEOD: It’s like a ghastly horror show.
TIM WATKIN: Well, the Israelis held him as a virtual prisoner in his compound for the last few years of his life, didn’t they. That explains why he always looked pasty-faced! Ha ha ha ha ha!
ROSEMARY McLEOD: Ha ha ha ha ha! It’s what the Russians gave to that chap a few years ago, isn’t it.
TIM WATKIN: That’s right. Ha ha ha!
ROSEMARY McLEOD: He started off as a very good-looking man, but he wasn’t when they’d finished with him.
PAUL BRENNAN: [thoughtfully] Hmmmm. Poisonous stuff, that Polonium 125.
ROSEMARY McLEOD: We don’t want it in our coffee!
TIM WATKIN: Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!
PAUL BRENNAN: Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! Okay, three minutes left, and there’s just time for our last story….
i couldn’t listen to brennan..
..this is the email i sent the show yesterday:
“..i am listening from behind the sofa..chewing knuckles..scared..
..i think he is one of the worst people i have ever heard on radio..
..his faux-jollity just sets teeth on edge..
..and he clearly has an intellect that would drown in a petrie-dish..
..w.t.f..!..”
..when he came on again today..
..i just turned him off..
..straightaway..
..phillip ure..
That’s a good summary of the man, Phillip.
Did you hear his comments about the living wage? I think he deserves some credit for supporting people getting paid enough to live on.
Yes I did, fender, and I agree with you. The reason I posted that snatch of conversation was not to criticise Paul Brennan but to draw attention to the way Tim Watkin was afraid to state a grave truth clearly and unequivocally. His nervous little snicker only served to detract from and undermine what he said. This is understandable: no doubt Tim Watkin has suffered screeching insults in the past after daring to say anything critical of Israel.
It’s still disappointing, however. Tim Watkin is an intelligent, well read and decent person, which makes him a rarity on radio chat shows. He should think about expressing his views clearly and courageously—which means not undercutting them by snickering nervously.
Consequences.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/9374848/Yellow-RadioLive-boycott-after-show
Is there a list of advertisers somewhere up on the net. I’ll ring them and take my business elsewhere too –
http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/proposed-water-standards-met-criticism-5702371
The Stupid, It Burns.
Why? Because it can decades to remediate nutrient pollution, particularly when dealing with slow flowing rivers and more so lakes, where the low over rate of flow + mud increase the residency time for nutrients added by human activity and can be released later by storms/floods. Which leads to flux that invasive species oft thrive with and kick the local ecosystem into a another state with subsequent (usually) negative ecological impacts to ecosystem health and human uses.
*sigh*
We can haz science based government legislation noaw please?…
Instead of limp-wristed bullshit to pander to federated farmers.
Half of all fossil fuels ever burned have been burned since the election of the forth Labour government.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BYQGFCJCYAAitjs.png:large
Indeed.
Despite all the hissing and roaring about climate change and greenhouse gases in the last decade, fossil fuels are now being burnt at a faster rate than at any other time in human history. With the trend continuing to increase.
I don’t think there is going to be a happy ending.
As this website says, nature bats last..
http://guymcpherson.com/
This is colourfully put – from latest Bowalley Road.
That made Sir Roger and his followers the most dangerous cuckoos ever to take up residence in Labour’s nest, and it has taken the best part of 30 years to eradicate their legacy within the party organisation.
Observing the party closely since the departure of Helen Clark in 2008 has been a little like watching Rip Van Winkle rousing himself from twenty long years of slumber.
I think they’re still struggling with waking up. Maybe I should send them some coffee?
There are still cuckoos in the nest.
Hi Murray O
http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-081113/#comment-723950
That had some more comments on post Roger from Chris T which registered with me later.
If you go to this link on my comment with quote, under that is link to the item courtesy
of Draco. I think it makes points that are good to reflect on.
http://www.sickchirpse.com/new-zealand-roast-busters/ very biting sarcasm here, no holds barred about ugly nz. “worldwide outrage” according to the huffington post, this has gone total global.