Open mike 08/09/2022

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, September 8th, 2022 - 73 comments
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Open mike is your post.

For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose.

The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy).

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73 comments on “Open mike 08/09/2022 ”

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  1. Jester 1
    8 September 2022 at 7:05 am

    Mallard leaves us with yet another unnecessary legal bill.

    Mallard's legal bill revealed: Cost to taxpayers of trespassing Peters from Parliament (msn.com)

    It's very easy to spend money when it is not yours and you have no responsibility for it.

    • Johnr 1.1
      8 September 2022 at 8:11 am

      It was certainly a dum move by Mallard. But, one also has to be utterly disgusted at the criminal costs of legal advice.

    • Jenny are we there yet 1.2
      8 September 2022 at 8:29 am

      Sheet the bill back to Mallard. Let him pay it off at $500 a week. I am sure he can afford it. It wouldn't be a hardship on his salary.
      It would take the wind out of the sails of the Nats, narrative that,' Labour are irresponsible tax and spend wastrels.'

      It would make a good example, that there will be no impunity for any future MP who might be tempted to copy Mallard's impulsive hotheaded track record.
      That there will be consequences for reckless hotheaded behaviour, might give pause for thought before acting impulsively.

    • Jimmy 1.3
      8 September 2022 at 8:41 am

      At least this one is only $23.5k compared with accusing someone falsely of rape and costing $330k!

  2. PsyclingLeft.Always 2
    8 September 2022 at 7:05 am

    California temperatures hit record 46C, power grid threatened

    The hottest day of the heatwave was expected to be today, and California Governor Gavin Newsom said the risk of power outages was real and immediate.

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/world/474284/california-temperatures-hit-record-46c-power-grid-threatened

    Sacremento City. Hotter than 46 C ? Fark that is intense. Its all gathering dangerous momentum.

  3. Sabine 3
    8 September 2022 at 7:38 am

    This too is going to be funny, it kind of reminds of Baghdad after the US invaded as detailed by a young women on this blog here. http://riverbendblog.blogspot.com/

    They kind of had like 2 – 4 hours electricity a day.

    https://twitter.com/DrEliDavid/status/1567488848116043781

  4. Sanctuary 4
    8 September 2022 at 7:47 am

    "…“We haven’t lost anything and we won’t lose anything,” said Putin, when asked about the cost of the invasion…"

    Thus we hear the eternal and genuine contempt of fascist dictatorships to the value of human life.

    Imagine hearing that if you are the mother, father, sibling or wife of one of Russia's dead. 50,000 nothings to Putin.

    https://twitter.com/Maks_NAFO_FELLA/status/1567486326580150273

  5. Ad 5
    8 September 2022 at 8:17 am

    From below, 38,000 members of Oathkeepers are named including hundreds of current serving and past Police and US military: current Sherriffs, and Chiefs of Police, and serving Army.

    Report finds alleged link between Oath Keepers, public officials (msnbc.com)

    From above, 8 formers US Secretaries of Defence and five former Chairs of the Joint Chiefs of the US military set out in a joint letter the principles of civilian control and the peaceful handover of power in their democracy.

    To Support and Defend: Principles of Civilian Control and Best Practices of Civil-Military Relations – War on the Rocks

    This is far, far deeper than Trump's insurrection though it is certainly that.

    This is instability across military and civil society that has rocked the US government institutions to their very core.

    Trump has permanently degraded America, but the Deep State is also abetting him.

  7. Peter 7
    8 September 2022 at 9:20 am

    The world of professional sport:

    Football club Chelsea sacked coach Thomas Tuchelon on Wednesday night six games into the season. Hired in January 2021, Tuchelhad success. He took his team to the FA Cup final and EFL Cup final last season. Tuchel won the Champions League with Chelsea in that first season as well as claiming two minor trophies.

    His team lost to Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League this week.

    American owner Todd Boehly seemingly can't tolerate being a loser. A new ownership group spent around NZ$514 to be winners.

    Funny that you can splash all the money in the world around but human foibles and performance don't necessarily reach a zenith just on money. And does someone spending NZ$514 million and playing a team which has spent $515 million necessarily win?

    I look forward to seeing results with Chelsea not winning. That dimension certainly makes sport entertaining.

    Of course the lack of tolerance for losing and the lack of understanding and tolerance of the nature of human performance in sport is germane to our sports debate.

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/premier-league-chelsea-stun-football-world-after-new-owners-axe-thomas-tuchel/E2CUL2KKFX2DYKTI6VEK7PNOYI/

  8. Stephen D 8
    8 September 2022 at 9:45 am

    Luxon really has no shame.

    From RNZ

    “How many students are wagging school?

    Earlier this week National Party leader Christopher Luxon told Morning Report 100,000 children were chronically truant.

    This is incorrect.”

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/474365/figures-reveal-how-many-students-are-wagging-school

    Just manipulated the numbers. Wonder if he did the same running Air NZ.

  9. Molly 9
    8 September 2022 at 9:58 am

    In April, the ECHR in the UK, did what many governments, legislators and policy makers have resisted doing and published guidelines regarding the law and the provision of single sex spaces.

    Nineteen LGBT+ groups, including Stonewall, have also called on the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions to strip the EHRC of its A-rating as a human rights body. – Vice (link below)

    The most relevant points are:

    • The Equality Act allows for the provision of separate or single sex services in certain circumstances under ‘exceptions’ relating to sex.
    • To establish a separate or single-sex service, you must show that you meet at least one of a number of statutory conditions (set out in this section of the guide) and that limiting the service on the basis of sex is a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim. For example, a legitimate aim could be for reasons of privacy, decency, to prevent trauma or to ensure health and safety. You must then be able to show that your action is a proportionate way of achieving that aim.

    A protest against this – commended by allies such as Billy Bragg and applauded as 'art' by others, took place outside the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) last Friday afternoon.

    Please take time to read the protestors concerns and intentions, before viewing the photos before telling me this is not a display of a combination of sexual paraphilias.

    https://www.vice.com/en/article/jgpj5y/pissed-off-trannies-ehrc-protest

    Vice's tweet – and comments:

    https://twitter.com/VICE/status/1567226215798276096?s=20&t=dLyCP9bomLnhI1ZEaFoSGw

    • Visubversa 9.1
      8 September 2022 at 10:22 am

      Nothing more ridiculous than a bunch of blokes in frocks and masks pouring piss on themselves.

      Hopefully a demonstration of "peak Trans" and it is all downhill from there.

      • Sabine 9.1.1
        8 September 2022 at 10:29 am

        Well it is a sign of alpha w-manliness to mark ones territory and let everyone know that a w-man was here. , and I as otherother / person /people/ folx/ non male/ non penis haver totally would have no issues with this 'w-man' pissing all over the toilets, changing rooms, into the pool, and elsewhere, after all that is what 'w-man' do. Right, pissing on the rights of people not them.

        In saying that someone should advise this w-man to his water intake, cause that piss is brown and that can't healthy.

    • Molly 10.1
      8 September 2022 at 10:17 am

      I don't think this is an appropriate sentence for the crimes committed, despite the slur on government.

      Can we just acknowledge that certain people have certain patterns of mendacious behaviour, and then discuss the issue of why we agree/disagree with the sentence?

      For me, it is the knowledge of the impact of sexual assault on victims, that often isolates them at home for much longer than nine months, that provides dissatisfaction with nine months home detention. Incarceration that doesn't provide a solid attempt to change behaviour is also not the full answer.

      Does NZ have any successful programmes running in our Justice and prison systems at the moment?

      • roblogic 10.1.1
        8 September 2022 at 10:22 am

        David Seymour thinks ankle bracelets are the solution

        • Sabine 10.1.1.1
          8 September 2022 at 10:31 am

          yeah, why not? Honestly, what would you do? What should be done?

          Nothing?

          • Muttonbird 10.1.1.1.1
            8 September 2022 at 10:53 am

            Isn't it already being done? I would have thought a sentence of home detention includes an ankle bracelet.

            Perhaps chemical castration? Why not surgical castration? Castrate all men in fact; we are rapists inside after all. s/

            • Sabine 10.1.1.1.1.1
              8 September 2022 at 11:05 am

              5 – 10 percent of all humans male – or female (sex based not gender based) are capable of horrendous crimes against other people. They rape, they kill, they torture, and they cause mayhem for others.

              95 – 90% of all humans male or female (sex based not gender based) to not cause any harm to anyone but have a good chance of being made a victim by the minority.

              Someone who at 16 years old has raped and assaulted 5 young girls (15 years old and girls as in human female child – sex based) should not be given home d. But should be sent to a. prison or b. a mental clinic until they are no longer a risk to society and have paid their debt to those that were given a life time sentence of living with the after math of having been raped.

              But feel free to run around pretending/insinuating/stating that ALL men are rapists that should be chemically castrated or surgically castrated should they be found guilty of raping 4 girls aged 15 and assaulting another girl. Heck why don’t you write a nice letter to the nice people who set sentencing and outline your proposal to them. See how that would work out for you and report back to us.

              • Incognito …
                8 September 2022 at 11:41 am

                For someone who loves to use sarcasm as a weapon tool you seem unable dealing with it when someone else reciprocates with it.

            • Jimmy 10.1.1.1.1.2
              8 September 2022 at 4:03 pm

              Singapore has a very low crime rate. We should look at what they do different to us.

              • Robert Guyton …
                8 September 2022 at 5:03 pm

                Speak Chinese?

                • Macro …
                  8 September 2022 at 5:45 pm

                  As well as Malay and English. Three main languages there, much of the signage is in Malay, and most of the place names. It is after all a small island at the bottom of the Malaysian peninsula, and only a 1/2 hour drive across the causeway. 🙂

                  Had a 2 year posting there and learnt a bit of Malay. On a holiday trip back from Penang Island we asked the overland taxi driver at Butterworth to take us to the Cameron Highlands, All was going good but there was much discussion between the taxi drivers who had heard our request and then some hurried transition of our luggage from the initial taxi to another. When I asked what was going on, it was revealed that the first taxi driver thought I had asked to go to Thailand!

                  It was a ride I shall never forget. It helped to keep my eyes closed for most of the journey. Fortunately Allah was looking out for us and we arrived shaken but not stirred.

                  The Cameron Highlands has some of the most beautiful butterflies I have ever seen, and they were everywhere.

        • Incognito 10.1.1.2
          8 September 2022 at 11:25 am

          David Seymour says ankle bracelets are the solution

          FIFY

        • Stephen D 10.1.1.3
          8 September 2022 at 11:58 am

          Most teens would wear them as a badge of honour. TikTok and Snapchat would be full of it.

          Hardly a deterrent, or punishment.

          Even Graham Lowe, who you wouldn’t call a bleeding heart wokester, thinks it’s a bad idea.

          https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2022/09/new-zealand-rugby-league-great-sir-graham-lowe-criticises-act-s-idea-to-put-youth-offenders-who-commit-serious-crimes-in-ankle-bracelets.amp.html

        • Molly 10.1.1.4
          8 September 2022 at 12:02 pm

          Seymour is not someone I would consider able to provide solutions or considerations of worth on this issue.

          In terms of solutions or informative discussion, there's little achieved by pointing out him acting true to character.

          • roblogic 10.1.1.4.1
            8 September 2022 at 12:38 pm

            Was a facetious response to the question

            Does NZ have any successful programmes running in our Justice and prison systems at the moment?

            It is a privilege not to have to interact with the criminal justice system and know nothing about the Corrections programmes

            • Molly 10.1.1.4.1.1
              8 September 2022 at 2:28 pm

              I wasn’t being disingenuous.

              Looking more for the stats or data regarding the outcomes, rather than what you linked to.

              Searching for statistics, it's easy to find stats on prevalence etc, but not so easy to find programmes with supporting data for perpetrators or victims.

              Do you have any links for such?

              • roblogic …
                8 September 2022 at 2:40 pm

                There is no simple answer or we'd already be doing it.

                IMHO a large proportion of offending stems from the intergenerational trauma of Maori displacement. And another component is the systemic fallout of predatory capitalism, trapping people in a cycle of deprivation. As well as other factors like mental health, literacy rates, addiction, abuse.

                The Nordic model appears to be reasonably effective, but it relies upon a certain type of society, and political will.

                • roblogic …
                  8 September 2022 at 2:55 pm

                  To clarify the second para from above…

                  Left-wing governments are more likely to mitigate the worst inequality and actually invest in people over profit… so long term, vote Left to reduce crime.

                  National likes to talk about getting tough but their plans (harsher sentences, more violent cops) are not backed by evidence, they are all just photo ops and tend to backfire.

                  • Molly …
                    8 September 2022 at 3:11 pm

                    You are correct in this. Just looking for some form of hard data in terms of how successful this approach is.

                    And don't be so quick to label people privileged just because they have no interaction with the justice system.

                    In my closest circle of female friends, none have interacted with the justice department, one was physically abused by both parents, two had their virginity stolen via sexual assault. One when they were a small child.

                    It'd be great is some of that compassion and understanding on the left remained for those who are not politically identified as vulnerable minorities, who are injured and suffer nonetheless.

                    • roblogic …
                      8 September 2022 at 3:25 pm

                      Sorry for the implication, I am also privileged to avoid the Courts etc. In the light of the horrific stats against women and girls (and the difficulty of adolescence), little wonder that some are desperate to avoid predators by identifying into another gender.

              • Belladonna …
                8 September 2022 at 7:05 pm

                I agree that it's not easy to find data.

                Here's a meta study from Canada – evaluating the recidivism rate of adolescent sexual offenders who have completed rehabilitation programmes, with those who dropped out, and those who never participated.

                https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8548636/

                • Molly …
                  8 September 2022 at 8:27 pm

                  Thanks, Belladonna.

                  Just aware there are many different programmes, and although they are often announced with great fanfare and promise, follow up information and data about attendees, costs, outcomes etc are hard to find.

                  There has been a follow up article with a response from the crown prosecutor, but even that is low on details regarding which programme the convicted rapist will be expected to attend (if indeed it is a specific sexual assault programme). Perhaps if those details were provided, and were able to be assessed as having a reasonable chance of success, people would be more accepting of the sentence.

                  https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/474427/why-prosecutor-didn-t-seek-prison-term-for-bay-of-plenty-teen-rapist

                  Growing anger surrounding the sentence has prompted public protests – planned for this afternoon – in cities across the North Island.

                  This afternoon, Tauranga's Crown Solicitor Anna Pollett defended the sentence, explaining that a "rehabilitative approach is to protect the community in the long term from re-offending".

                  "In the circumstances of this prosecution, and in careful consideration of all the available material, the Crown did not oppose a sentence of home detention to balance the need for accountability and deterrence while also maximising the opportunity for intensive rehabilitation of the young person," Pollett said, in a rare statement from a Crown Solicitor.

                  The sentence, she also mentioned, included numerous conditions to ensure compliance and engagement with the rehabilitation programme.

                  This includes post-detention conditions and court-imposed judicial monitoring which Pollett said "adds a further layer of scrutiny to ensure compliance with the sentence".

      • Sabine 10.1.2
        8 September 2022 at 10:45 am

        The question really is where is the government currently in regards to crime, assault, murder, sexual assault, theft, ramraids and so on and so forth.

        Keeping non violent offenders out of prison and have them in home detention is laudable and should be used as much as possible. I am all in favor.

        But a 16 year old raping 4 girls that is not normal teenage male behavior

        https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/teenager-jayden-meyer-sentenced-to-nine-months-home-detention-after-raping-four-15-year-old-girls/D6IWSUPAWWA7Q5TBPZ4BRLZRMQ/

        Meyer, who has no criminal history, pleaded not guilty to all charges but was later found guilty.

        A psychologist, who saw Meyer 30 times during the prosecution, found he had a medium risk of reoffending, and continues to minimize the effect of his crimes.

        I guess that non male human beings that are biological uterus/cervix/fallopian tubes and ovary havers need to understand the value society and our law / order / justice complex has for them vs rapists. Like none. No value, what so ever.

    • Sabine 10.2
      8 September 2022 at 10:31 am

      A 16 year old raping 4 girls plus assaulting another one, should in fact be given a reward for his manliness and prowess. Anything else would just be too upsetting for the rapist. s/

      • Robert Guyton 10.2.1
        8 September 2022 at 11:47 am

        That's not sarcasm, Sabine, that's unnecessarily triggering provocation, with no humorous or wry aspect whatsoever. Sarcasm should at least entertain, imo.

        • Molly 10.2.1.1
          8 September 2022 at 12:15 pm

          It's a wry analysis of the outcome for perpetrators and victims of sexual violence.

          It's very difficult and distressing to get convictions.

          Sentences of home detention agreed to by the crown prosecutor when as Sabine quotes above:

          "A psychologist, who saw Meyer 30 times during the prosecution, found he had a medium risk of reoffending, and continues to minimize the effect of his crimes."

          is not an indictment on the whole system, but may be indicative of a perspective that requires investigation. I think it does.

        • Sabine 10.2.1.2
          8 September 2022 at 12:23 pm

          My answer is to the comment above on the Farrar tweet. It is not ment to be nice.

          Farrar is Farrar and will do as Farrar did and has done since ever.

          But to minimise the damage this young bloke did to the 5 girls in order to schtup a person with whom one disagrees one politically is despicable. Life long damage as i can assure you in no uncertain terms. My rapist is now dead and thanks god for that, and he raped me almost 50 years ago. And the damage is still there and it still hurts. Lifelong sentence for the victim and a nothing for the rapist. Now that is kindness.

          And yes, where is the our government? the 'suicide' prevention government? the 'be kind' government when it comes to rape and sexual assault of girls/women? Oh they girls/women (sex based not gender based) are not marginalised and vulnerable enough? Are they even human?

          What does it say about the so-called left that it can not ask where the justice is in this ruling. Justice for the girls. Justice for the community. Justice for the families of these girls?

          And yes, that dude got exactly that what i wrote. A wee slap on the hand, after all they could not let that dude that has a medium risk of re-offending, and has shown no remorse be locked up for a few years. They are letting him go out again in a few month from his traumatising experience of home D and if he rapes again, oh well who could / would / should have known that, and did he not learn his lesson?

  12. Patricia Bremner 12
    8 September 2022 at 10:59 am

    "Repeat the Lies Luxon" knows people remember the meme. True or Not!!

    (I am glad to see Ad doing some decent posts on the Government and making suggestions. Well done Ad.)

    Suzy is great. she cuts to the chase!! She could have said "Where are you getting those figures from? They are wrong"

    Now we need to build in a strategy to "call out" distortions and outright Lies.

    Plus the Election has started.!!!!!

    I have increased my regular donation to Labour by a third. I suggest every supporter give a small amount regularly, as then Labour can plan their campaign.

    Say if you will provide a billboard spot, if you can do other tasks. If you don't want Luxon as our next Leader, start the fighting fund and planning.

  13. Sabine 13
    8 September 2022 at 11:00 am

    I have said the exact same thing some time ago. that the warehousing of our poor in motels is nothing more then a hiding of a problem and a huge transfer of government funds to private businesses that run run down motels.

    For the weekly cost of housing a desperate family in one of these hovels the government could have literally rented a house of the free market and saved some money.

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/lizzie-marvelly-motel-emergency-housing-vulnerable-treated-like-cash-cows-turning-rotorua-into-a-dumping-ground/O2OQEVQQJXF42I7N67PVN53EXA/

    happy to see this now out in the open. I don't believe much will change, and those that recently have lost their properties rented or owned will themselves find that a run down motel unit is the best they will find for a long long time to come. But then the government pays what ever is asked, don't ask questions, just carry on. Let's keep moving. To where? Who cares.

    • Patricia Bremner 13.1
      8 September 2022 at 11:23 am

      Sabine the problem is old, in my lifetime I have seen building on the current scale once!! That was in the 70s. The number of houses is not enough, but the changes made mean apartment blocks are able to be built in all centers near transport. The solution is not magic, but did need central government change as Rotorua had 1500 consents over years!! They were mainly top end houses, not social houses.

      Your suggestion of build to rent subsidised Government housing is practised in Australian States. Yes I agree that would help, but the government could not join an overheated market and make it worse. Now prices have begun to stabilise they have a chance to buy into a falling market to provide homes from failed airb&b landlords.

    • roblogic 13.2
      8 September 2022 at 11:27 am

      I guess we should just vote for the guy that will magically make all these problems disappear. By selling off state housing and ignoring all the people sleeping rough and celebrating a rock star economy and hoping the bottom feeders will just go away.

      Or, we could acknowledge that there is a housing shortage and at the same time an unprecedented government response in facilitating 10,000+ new state houses in the last 5 years.

      HUD NZ Housing dashboard

    • roblogic 13.3
      8 September 2022 at 11:46 am

      Despite media wailing, the Government is NOT "hiding the problem" FFS.

      Minister Woods was in Rotorua just last week.

      https://twitter.com/LabourMaoriNZ/status/1564084645238800384?s=20&t=gNCuGMcGV7LKfpCXQmY92w

      • Sabine 13.3.1
        8 September 2022 at 12:26 pm

        Yes. one house – and these are a tiny fraction bigger then a tiny house has now found someone to live in.

        the rest are still empty.

        All three houses are up the road from us. The property was knocked down three years ago, stood empty for a bout a year and half and took a year and a half to be build. With that speed in the year 2300 we will have housed all the Motel Citizens of NZ. Drip Drip Drip some water on a hot stone.
        Never mind the future climate refugees such as those that have lost their properties in the recent floods up and down the country.

        • roblogic 13.3.1.1
          8 September 2022 at 12:48 pm

          I find it more productive to turn on the light rather than curse the darkness.

          • Sabine 13.3.1.1.1
            8 September 2022 at 2:14 pm

            If you want to celebrate these three tiny houses on one section with three carparks and a rug of 'grass' behind the shed (they are about double garage sized houses) then go ahead and consider it success.

            Again, i live not far from this success and i know how well they are build (lol) and how big they are – two tiny bedrooms, toilet/shower and a kitchen-living, and these houses will be rented to people with kids.

            The only grace these houses have is that schools are in walking distance and hopefully some of the reserve that the Council wants to sell to private developpers for 'low income housing' will be preserved for the future poor to have a bit of an outdoor space, and the next supermarket is about 3 kms walking distance form these properties, if one does not have enough money for a bus. Town is about an hours walk away.

            We initially thought that hese properties were for hte retired, and i would actully consider them perfect for that group of people. However pushing 3 – 5 people into a barely 45 sqm 'house' *3 i.e. 12 – 15 people plus a few cars on a section that used to have 1 Kainga Ora house on it will bring its own problems.

            I understand the desperation. I watched Auckland during the N years, and now i get to watch Rotorua during the L years, and you know what, it is hard very hard to find a difference.

            For what its worth, the whole of downtown Rotorua could be knocked down and rebuild. ITs either abandoned, or not earthquake save, empty shops everywhere. Now that would be something. Re-design the town centre to be pedestrian / cyclist friendly, ground floor shops and above those three floors of apartments. You would not need to re-develop, utilities would already be there, water/sewerage etc all at hand, and you would revive your town centre.

            The country needs to re-think housing as a whole. Cost of build, rents, sizes 1 bdrm / studio to 5 bedrm, cheap monthly rents, next to shops, schools, medical centres etc etc etc.

            That is not what we are doing. In this case, we build three very small houses on one section to house up to 15+ people in.

            In fact it would have been better to build these properties up two stories. And i can see these houses be demolished in a few years to do exactly that.

    • roblogic 13.4
      8 September 2022 at 11:57 am

      Are you getting these talking points from talkback radio? I was talking to a mate a couple of days ago who was saying similar stuff about Rotovegas and asking "where is Jacinda?!!11!!"

      She's overseas at the moment, so I guess it is time for the Nat's mouthpieces to moan that she isn't visiting their pet projects.

    • SPC 13.5
      8 September 2022 at 12:57 pm

      The government probably decided to use the motels because of the lockdowns and lack of tourists.

      It's past time to move on

      1. rent some from landlords at market rates and charge income related rents to tenants
      2. buy some (at the right place and price – some for later building intensification, even if just a factory built subdivision at the back) and rent out.
      3. buy and build a granny flat and on-sell (to families with parents).

      Otherwise make it easier for mobile homes to be located on sections (either for children of parents or parents of children).

  14. Stephen D 14
    8 September 2022 at 2:49 pm

    Aesop said that a man is known by the company he keeps.

    Now we all know where, and with whom, he stands.

    "The meeting was hosted by Unify NZ, a local group that is aligned to a number of anti-mandate/anti-vax groups such as Voices for Freedom and Convoy 2022. The audience, as demonstrated during question time, was a mix of diehard NZ First supporters and right-wing conspiracy theorists."

    https://www.localmatters.co.nz/mahurangi-news/audience-gets-its-moneys-worth-from-peters-rhetoric/?fbclid=IwAR3HRuD_ub_PqVfrvSTFTl20gQp-EmfY8m9NP8suB57NJfuW7xGwtDjqQk8

  15. AB 15
    8 September 2022 at 2:59 pm

    What is it about free school lunches that triggers right wingers so badly? The NZ Herald has revived its attacks on the school lunch programme. Is it the thought of some little brown kids getting a meal and maybe feeling happy and keen to learn – rather than knowing their place and pulling themselves up by their non-existent bootstraps? Is it the thought of working class parents saving maybe $25 a week per child to spend on other necessities? God knows – but it is a peculiarly intense example of their vileness.

    • roblogic 15.1
      8 September 2022 at 3:29 pm

      All I saw was some spoilt kids complaining because they don't like kumara, and saying the menu was crap. They are lucky to have a choice.

    • Anne 15.2
      8 September 2022 at 7:02 pm

      It's not the first time NZ has had a school lunch programme. When I was a kid – admittedly a long time ago – our Mums used to take it in turns to 'do' the school lunches for those kids who regularly came to school with no lunch. We're talking about parents on very low wages who couldn’t afford them. No big deal. It was what you did back in the day. I presume each school had an allocation of money to keep the programme going.

  16. Ad 16
    8 September 2022 at 3:45 pm

    Shoutout to Willie Lose.

    Former rugby international and commentator Willie Los'e dies aged 55 – NZ Herald

    He was second speaker at the Kelston Boys debating team back in the day, and it was always fun to go against the Kelston Girls team.

    So Willie was pretty buff from all that First 15 Rugby gym training, and the topic was "That some things are best left to men". Good ground for a boys against the girls afternoon fun contest in the early 1980s.

    You can get the tenor of the school by noting that Graham Henry was both Principal and Auckland Rugby Coach at the same time.

    We oiled Willie up in coconut oil and he only wore a lavalava for that debate, so he could deliver Second Speaker with a bit of panache. He made his pecs talk to each other.

    Sure went down well at the Kelston Girls auditorium.

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  • Govt ignored economic analysis of smokefree reversal
    Costello did not pass on analysis of the benefits of the smokefree reforms to Cabinet, emphasising instead the extra tax revenues of repealing them. Photo: Hagen Hopkins, Getty Images TL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me at 7:26 am today are:The Lead: Casey Costello never passed on ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago

  • True Blue.
    True loveYou're the one I'm dreaming ofYour heart fits me like a gloveAnd I'm gonna be true blueBaby, I love youI’ve written about the job cuts in our news media last week. The impact on individuals, and the loss to Aotearoa of voices covering our news from different angles.That by ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago

  • Who is running New Zealand’s foreign policy?
    While commentators, including former Prime Minister Helen Clark, are noting a subtle shift in New Zealand’s foreign policy, which now places more emphasis on the United States, many have missed a key element of the shift. What National said before the election is not what the government is doing now. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    5 days ago

  • $41m to support clean energy in South East Asia
    New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    12 hours ago

  • Minister releases Fast-track stakeholder list
    The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    14 hours ago

  • Judicial appointments announced
    Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    14 hours ago

  • Education Minister heads to major teaching summit in Singapore
    Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa.  The summit is co-hosted ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    15 hours ago

  • Value of stopbank project proven during cyclone
    A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    15 hours ago

  • Anzac commemorations, Türkiye relationship focus of visit
    Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul.    “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    16 hours ago

  • Minister to Europe for OECD meeting, Anzac Day
    Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    18 hours ago

  • Comprehensive Partnership the goal for NZ and the Philippines
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr.  The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Government commits $20m to Westport flood protection
    The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Taupō takes pole position
    The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Cost of living support for low-income homeowners
    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners.  “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Government backing mussel spat project
    The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Government focused on getting people into work
    Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Clean energy key driver to reducing emissions
    The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Earthquake-prone buildings review brought forward
    The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Thailand and NZ to agree to Strategic Partnership
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Government consults on extending coastal permits for ports
    RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Inflation coming down, but more work to do
    Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • School attendance restored as a priority in health advice
    Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Unnecessary bureaucracy cut in oceans sector
    Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Patterson promoting NZ’s wool sector at International Congress
    Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector.    "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Removing red tape to help early learners thrive
    The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • RMA changes to cut coal mining consent red tape
    Changes to the Resource Management Act will align consenting for coal mining to other forms of mining to reduce barriers that are holding back economic development, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The inconsistent treatment of coal mining compared with other extractive activities is burdensome red tape that fails to acknowledge ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • McClay reaffirms strong NZ-China trade relationship
    Trade, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay has concluded productive discussions with ministerial counterparts in Beijing today, in support of the New Zealand-China trade and economic relationship. “My meeting with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed the complementary nature of the bilateral trade relationship, with our Free Trade Agreement at its ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Prime Minister Luxon acknowledges legacy of Singapore Prime Minister Lee
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today paid tribute to Singapore’s outgoing Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.   Meeting in Singapore today immediately before Prime Minister Lee announced he was stepping down, Prime Minister Luxon warmly acknowledged his counterpart’s almost twenty years as leader, and the enduring legacy he has left for Singapore and South East ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • PMs Luxon and Lee deepen Singapore-NZ ties
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. While in Singapore as part of his visit to South East Asia this week, Prime Minister Luxon also met with Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and will meet with Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.  During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Antarctica New Zealand Board appointments
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has made further appointments to the Board of Antarctica New Zealand as part of a continued effort to ensure the Scott Base Redevelopment project is delivered in a cost-effective and efficient manner.  The Minister has appointed Neville Harris as a new member of the Board. Mr ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Finance Minister travels to Washington DC
    Finance Minister Nicola Willis will travel to the United States on Tuesday to attend a meeting of the Five Finance Ministers group, with counterparts from Australia, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.  “I am looking forward to meeting with our Five Finance partners on how we can work ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Pet bonds a win/win for renters and landlords
    The coalition Government has today announced purrfect and pawsitive changes to the Residential Tenancies Act to give tenants with pets greater choice when looking for a rental property, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Pets are important members of many Kiwi families. It’s estimated that around 64 per cent of New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Long Tunnel for SH1 Wellington being considered
    State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the Government has also asked NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) to consider and provide advice on a Long Tunnel option, Transport Minister Simeon Brown ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • New Zealand condemns Iranian strikes
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters have condemned Iran’s shocking and illegal strikes against Israel.    “These attacks are a major challenge to peace and stability in a region already under enormous pressure," Mr Luxon says.    "We are deeply concerned that miscalculation on any side could ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Huge interest in Government’s infrastructure plans
    Hundreds of people in little over a week have turned out in Northland to hear Regional Development Minister Shane Jones speak about plans for boosting the regional economy through infrastructure. About 200 people from the infrastructure and associated sectors attended an event headlined by Mr Jones in Whangarei today. Last ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Health Minister thanks outgoing Health New Zealand Chair
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has today thanked outgoing Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora Chair Dame Karen Poutasi for her service on the Board.   “Dame Karen tendered her resignation as Chair and as a member of the Board today,” says Dr Reti.  “I have asked her to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Roads of National Significance planning underway
    The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has signalled their proposed delivery approach for the Government’s 15 Roads of National Significance (RoNS), with the release of the State Highway Investment Proposal (SHIP) today, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.  “Boosting economic growth and productivity is a key part of the Government’s plan to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Navigating an unstable global environment
    New Zealand is renewing its connections with a world facing urgent challenges by pursuing an active, energetic foreign policy, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.   “Our country faces the most unstable global environment in decades,” Mr Peters says at the conclusion of two weeks of engagements in Egypt, Europe and the United States.    “We cannot afford to sit back in splendid ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • NZ welcomes Australian Governor-General
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced the Australian Governor-General, His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley and his wife Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley, will make a State visit to New Zealand from Tuesday 16 April to Thursday 18 April. The visit reciprocates the State visit of former Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Pseudoephedrine back on shelves for Winter
    Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced that Medsafe has approved 11 cold and flu medicines containing pseudoephedrine. Pharmaceutical suppliers have indicated they may be able to supply the first products in June. “This is much earlier than the original expectation of medicines being available by 2025. The Government recognised ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • NZ and the US: an ever closer partnership
    New Zealand and the United States have recommitted to their strategic partnership in Washington DC today, pledging to work ever more closely together in support of shared values and interests, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “The strategic environment that New Zealand and the United States face is considerably more ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Joint US and NZ declaration
    April 11, 2024 Joint Declaration by United States Secretary of State the Honorable Antony J. Blinken and New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs the Right Honourable Winston Peters We met today in Washington, D.C. to recommit to the historic partnership between our two countries and the principles that underpin it—rule ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • NZ and US to undertake further practical Pacific cooperation
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced further New Zealand cooperation with the United States in the Pacific Islands region through $16.4 million in funding for initiatives in digital connectivity and oceans and fisheries research.   “New Zealand can achieve more in the Pacific if we work together more urgently and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

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