Open Mike 08/07/2017

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, July 8th, 2017 - 209 comments
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209 comments on “Open Mike 08/07/2017 ”

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  1. Ant 1
    8 July 2017 at 7:06 am

    DUAL NATURE OF POVERTY
    Two kinds of poverty plague our schools; one readily observed via images of the students’ home refrigerators towards the close of a week; the second, poverty of self-belief leading to our high suicide rates, depression and bullying. A fertile field for its manifestation is the classroom where the bold extroverts, richly endowed with ego, raise their hand and offer answers with confidence day in and day out at the expense of the shy and the hesitant.

    As in the monetary world the rich in spirit get richer. Each bold and happy answer is reinforced through positive teacher feedback, encouraging in turn ongoing vocal participation. Such students rise in stature, not only through the bolstering of esteem, but also in the eyes of their peers.

    Though numbering perhaps 5 – 10 in a class of 30 their influence spreads to give an overall impression of buzz, participation, progress – warmly acclaimed by ERO as “lively atmosphere conducive to learning”. These kids enter life qualified with excellence in a subject for which there is no tick-box on the record of learning: confidence and self belief. Our school system serves them well.

    Of course there are quiet learners who excel and attain. There are many more who could attain given genuine educational nourishment, but in a class of large numbers there’s just not enough sustenance to go round. The demands of the formal curriculum, pressure of the upcoming assessment, anticipation of ERO’s next visit, the inevitable demands of unruly students and the clamour of the happy extroverts bent on voicing their progress all sap the time and energy of the teacher. And there’s only ONE of them!

    With numbers around 20 (as I experienced occasionally) a whole new world of possibility opens up. There is the opportunity to allow a hesitant student TIME to formulate an answer, to consider it in the light of an earlier contribution from another and to show how both ideas are relevant and valued. Through regular feedback the less confident come to believe they COUNT and the bold begin to note ‘hey, there are others here who know what’s going on.’ The class takes on an identity of its own, greater than a collection of individuals some of whom tend to dominate input. In short the class dynamic becomes a team with all individuals valued for their particular roles.

    “Students who are happy and engaged at school are much more likely to be learning, achieving and better equipped for life after school.” (ERO) But now we are investigating (TV 3 Project, Thursday) whether its weak teachers that are failing to get them “happy and engaged.”

    And National’s research indicates class side does not affect grades. After all grades are the currency, not rates of depression, obesity and suicide.

    • Cinny 1.1
      8 July 2017 at 8:10 am

      Ant, I’ve been asking a number of teachers lately how they feel about the education system, all of them believe it is failing kids, and this is why.

      So much effort is being placed on National Standards for reading, writing and maths, some kids will never reach national standards, and if they are no good at reading, writing or maths at primary level then the whole system is loaded against them.

      Teachers are saying that kids are unable to learn, grow and explore if the curriculum is so driven on those 3 subjects. They are unable to find something they are really good at doing, and thereby giving them a sense of accomplishment and the ability to feel good about themselves, which leads to depression, bullying, being withdrawn and in some cases taking their own lives.

      For example a child may be really interested in building and creating, if a child is interested in something, everything else follows. Kids need to feel good about themselves, and if that isn’t happening at home, and they are not able to feel good about the 3 subjects that the education system are hell bent on pushing, one can only imagine the sense of failure going on inside of them.

      Teachers are also sick of the government implementing education systems in NZ that have failed overseas.

      Teachers are crying out for change, and with kids killing themselves is it any wonder.

      • BM 1.1.1
        8 July 2017 at 8:14 am

        Biggest pile of bull shit ever.

        If kids can’t read write and do basic maths they’re pretty much stuffed for life.

        Any teachers who let children get through primary without the basics need to be kicked out of the teaching profession, they’re the ones responsible, not the government of the day.

        • Ed 1.1.1.1
          8 July 2017 at 8:24 am

          Troll wakes up, starts typing hate speech….

          • james 1.1.1.1.1
            8 July 2017 at 9:20 am

            Ed – the man who has to call everyone Troll who he disagrees with.

            Truth is – if you cannot read and write or do basic math – your options in life are very limited.

            Its not hate speech saying that they should be fired if they are not ensuring the very basics are provided to the kids they are trusted to learn.

            There are good teachers and poor teachers. Unfortunately a poor teacher can ruin a kids future prospects. They should be fired.

            • Draco T Bastard 1.1.1.1.1.1
              8 July 2017 at 10:32 am

              And more BS from an ignorant RWNJ.

              There are poor teachers but they’re a small minority and it would probably be better and cheaper for the country if we just increased their training and support so that they become excellent teachers.

            • stigie 1.1.1.1.1.2
              8 July 2017 at 1:08 pm

              “They should be fired.”

              Can’t do that James, they hide behind the teachers union so the poor teacher has a job for life !

              • Draco T Bastard …
                8 July 2017 at 1:24 pm

                more BS from another ignorant RWNJ

                If a teacher is that bad the union will help get rid of them.

                Thing is, I doubt if any of our teachers are that bad and some remedial training and support will do wonders for them and the schools that they work at.

                And doing that will be far cheaper than the RWNJ solution of privatisation that always makes things worse.

          • greywarshark 1.1.1.1.2
            8 July 2017 at 10:57 am

            Ed
            You’re right, our trollers must wake up joyfully, with TS to fill their day ahead, giving them something to do with their narrow boneheads and idle minds.

            Another day of delightful trolling for people who don’t care, can’t be bothered to care (about others’ concerns and welfare). Their cleverness shows in ability to wind the handle for the hurdy-gurdy and play the monkey capering around at the same time.

            • Ed 1.1.1.1.2.1
              8 July 2017 at 12:31 pm

              They really hate being called up on it too.

              • greywarshark …
                8 July 2017 at 12:35 pm

                The music is a bit jerky and repetitive IMO.

              • Siobhan …
                8 July 2017 at 1:33 pm

                It is quite possible they went through an education system that taught them to read and write, but, unfortunately lacked in all other areas.
                As such they are the victims of the very thing we are bemoaning and, in fact, deserve our sympathy rather than criticism.

        • riffer 1.1.1.2
          8 July 2017 at 8:27 am

          I will agree with you that the three R’s are important. You’re failing to understand that the education system is ALL about the three R’s – and nothing else.

          Combine that with too much competitive atmosphere due to too many kids in the class (much like too many players in a market) and the failure rate increases. If we only concentrate on the winners in a skewed market we run the risk of being overwhelmed by the losers.

          Oh hang on – that describes many an aspect of modern society doesn’t it? I see a pattern…

          • JanM 1.1.1.2.1
            8 July 2017 at 9:02 am

            Children who struggle with the ‘three Rs’ often learn best when they are able to approach them through an interest or ability. Cinny mentioned building – just think about all the maths and literacy skills required for building

            • james 1.1.1.2.1.1
              8 July 2017 at 9:21 am

              Yep – but they still have to be able to read, write and do math. Else they dont end up a builder – they end up the guy pushing a wheelbarrow for the rest of their lives.

              • BM …
                8 July 2017 at 9:41 am

                Or spending most of their lives in prison.

                • Ed …
                  8 July 2017 at 9:44 am

                  Troll.

                  ‘In Internet slang, a troll is a person who sows discord on the Internet by starting arguments or upsetting people, by posting inflammatory,extraneous, or off-topic messages in an online community (such as a newsgroup, forum, chat room, or blog) with the intent of provoking readers into an emotional response or of otherwise disrupting normal, on-topic discussion,often for the troll’s amusement.

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

                  • BM …
                    8 July 2017 at 9:50 am

                    Fuck off, Paul, you don’t get to decide who’s a troll and who isn’t.

                    If anyone’s ticking the troll box it’s you with your endless spam.

                    For a guy that got banned for three years, you’re really demonstrating an utter lack of awareness as to why you got kicked off last time.

                    • mauī …
                      8 July 2017 at 9:56 am

                      Its Ed, can you read?

                    • BM …
                      8 July 2017 at 9:59 am

                      Yeah, it’s Ed, Pauls identical brother. 🙄

                    • Psycho Milt …
                      8 July 2017 at 10:10 am

                      Wait, BM. Paul was an inveterate poster of vegan propaganda whenever there was a thread about climate change, whereas Ed… oh, I see. As you were.

                    • mauī …
                      8 July 2017 at 10:19 am

                      Exactly completely different and I believe its a breach to identify users.

                    • greywarshark …
                      8 July 2017 at 11:02 am

                      BM
                      Two questions. Who is Paul? And why do you have entitlement to attack those who speak against the corroding drips from people like yourself? These interfere with the ability to have discussions leading to better understanding of problems and possible future effective policy.

                    • In Vino …
                      8 July 2017 at 7:57 pm

                      I sense hypocrisy here, BM. You claim to be concerned about education, but hate teacher unions. Here is an inconvenient truth for you. Teachers get to know and really care about other people’s children. Right wingers like you don’t. Teachers therefore tend towards egalitarianism, which you find evil (leftie)..
                      What are the odds that you sent your own kids to a private school, BM, and by not supporting the state education system, left the other kids to sink? You may retort that all other parents ought to do the same, but the fact is that you are callously abandoning the children of the poor. I see you as a shallow, selfish ratbag.

                  • Andre …
                    8 July 2017 at 9:54 am

                    Spammer.

                    “Usenet convention defines spamming as excessive multiple posting, that is, the repeated posting of a message (or substantially similar messages). The prevalence of Usenet spam led to the development of the Breidbart Index as an objective measure of a message’s “spamminess”.”

                    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spamming#Newsgroup_and_forum

                  • Enough is Enough …
                    8 July 2017 at 10:12 am

                    Ed

                    Disagreeing with your argument is not “inflamatory” unless of course you are very thin skinned.

                    It is you who destroys every thread with your mad “troll” rantings, everytime someone says something you disagree with.

                  • weka …
                    8 July 2017 at 10:48 am

                    BM said,

                    “For a guy that got banned for three years, you’re really demonstrating an utter lack of awareness as to why you got kicked off last time.”

                    Ed, it’s getting close to when I’ll say something in the back end about this. I’d suggest figuring out how you want to be here pretty quick. You know what the issues are.

                    • greywarshark …
                      8 July 2017 at 12:50 pm

                      Can’t understand why BM’s pronouncements are wise saws weka.
                      Trolls regularly cut people off at the knees without adding much and yet some seem to think they have some manipulation effect.

                • Molly …
                  8 July 2017 at 10:41 am

                  A better indication of that is the damage done to hearing due to hearing impairments. A study done in NZ back in the 90’s indicated more than 50% of prisoners had hearing impairments. Many a result of undiagnosed glue ear. Which would obviously have impacted on learning ability as well.

                  (Can’t link to the study, was one I read back at the time, but Google has few)

              • JanM …
                8 July 2017 at 9:44 am

                You know I really struggle to decide whether you are being obtuse or challenged when you continually respond to comments in ways that show that either you do not understand what they’ve said or you are deliberately undermining the conversation

                • Ed …
                  8 July 2017 at 9:47 am

                  He’s just being an internet troll.
                  Personally, I wish these troglodytes were banned so we could discuss topics without their intervention.

                • BM …
                  8 July 2017 at 9:52 am

                  Those type of kids do very well in the charter school environment, shame Labour is willing to throw them back on the garbage heap just to appease the teacher unions.

                  • Ed …
                    8 July 2017 at 9:57 am

                    And that comment is not trolling?

                    • BM …
                      8 July 2017 at 10:03 am

                      State schools work very well for the vast majority of kids, but there is a small group where it just doesn’t work, might be the teaching methods, might be the environment.

                      That’s where charter schools fit in.

                    • Ed …
                      8 July 2017 at 10:06 am

                      The language you employed was clearly intended to get a reaction.
                      It was trolling.
                      And you know it.

                    • Molly …
                      8 July 2017 at 10:48 am

                      For BM.

                      Your comments re charter schools shows a decided lack of knowledge. On a level of four legs good, two legs bad.

                      Charter schools are privatisation by stealth. And we should ensure that every child attending a state school gets what they need in order to learn.

                      That means, making sure that we have a society where they have a healthy, warm home to live in, food to eat and then attend a school where additional assistance is fully funded from central govenment – not operational budgets.

                      Charter schools are not the magical answer.

                      A change in priorities is.

                    • red-blooded …
                      8 July 2017 at 4:58 pm

                      Ed, I very seldom agree with BM, but not everything he/she says is trolling. Yes, BM’s trying to provoke disagreement, but he/she isn’t using personal attacks or swerving off the topic under discussion. If anything, you seem to be the one doing this, with the repeated replies about trolling.

                      As for the “do very well in the charter school environment” bs, you need to dig a lot deeper than that, BM. These kids may well do better in smaller classes, often exploring the curriculum through a practical lens, but guess what? State schools can provide these learning environments if they’re given the resources, and plenty of them do even under the funding constraints that they currently deal with.

                      BTW, our schools are not a “garbage heap”. When was the last time you were in a school?

                  • Draco T Bastard …
                    8 July 2017 at 10:34 am

                    No they don’t as the real world has shown.

                  • Molly …
                    8 July 2017 at 10:44 am

                    Charter schools don’t have to meet the National Standards if they don’t want to. And receive greater funding.

                    You have identified a couple of the major issues that get in the way of good educational environments.

                  • millsy …
                    8 July 2017 at 10:45 am

                    And handing them over to God-freaks and corporates is going to solve everything.

                    You do realise that if charter schools are allowed to flourish, evolution will be effectively purged from the school curriculum,

                    • james …
                      8 July 2017 at 5:04 pm

                      “God-freaks”

                      Thats not very polite to rubbish other peoples views like that.

                    • james …
                      8 July 2017 at 5:11 pm

                      Gee really??? – lets look at what a certian Labour MP to be (if there are enough votes ) says about charter (partnership) schools:

                      http://partnershipschools.education.govt.nz/news/opinion-willie-jackson/

                      Now remember kids – vote for labour you are voting for a man with views like this – do you really want someone like him in power?

                    • Molly …
                      8 July 2017 at 5:39 pm

                      For james:

                      It is understandable that many people see benefits in charter schools, especially when they can see an opportunity to provide assistance and/or support to those who don’t fit the mainstream.

                      Charter schools act as a divide and conquer in this respect.

                      What he says about the delivery for the Maaori students attending is probably quite true. But the fundamental problem for other Maaori students is that within the state school, the deficiency will remain and that is the wider picture that needs to be addressed.

                      Unless you are surrounded by yes men and/or are one of them, it is unreasonable to expect to agree with everything a politician says. Willie Jackson is giving his opinion on charter schools, from his perspective and it is understandable. But I disagree with his conclusion.

                  • McGrath …
                    8 July 2017 at 8:40 pm

                    My son is a “square peg” child who the standard school system doesn’t really fit. We are looking at putting him in the Vanguard Military Academy when he is older. Why should Labour deprive parents of educational options when Charter Schools makes up a minuscule percentage of total student numbers?

                    • McFlock …
                      8 July 2017 at 10:40 pm

                      Because if the state schools got as much public cash as the charter schools on a per student basis, you wouldn’t have to send your kids to a school that doesn’t have to reach the same standards.

                      BTW, wasn’t Vanguard the one with the sub-par attainment levels?

                    • Molly …
                      9 July 2017 at 12:44 am

                      Agree with McFlock’s comments above.

                      But on a personal note, if your son is truly a “square peg” then Vanguard is probably not the best choice. As McFlock mentioned, they failed to meet their targets (which BTW are lower than state schools), and their expulsion and suspension rate is very high. (I suspect that is the result of some “square peg” students objecting to having their corners rounded off.)

                      A rigid discipline and routine may help your son, if he has issues with a chaotic learning environment, but this kind of approach reinforces extrinsic reinforcement rather than promoting long-term intrinsic motivation.

              • Draco T Bastard …
                8 July 2017 at 10:33 am

                Wrong.

              • Molly …
                8 July 2017 at 10:35 am

                Most can learn at their own pace. What can get in the way is a focus on learning reading and maths at the pace set by National Standards.

                And the self-doubt that sets in from a very young age because of the failure to meet these arbitrary standards.

                • greywarshark …
                  8 July 2017 at 12:40 pm

                  Thank goodness for you Molly your ideas stick to the real point of whatever is being discussed and bring something sound to the
                  discussion.

                  • Molly …
                    9 July 2017 at 12:57 am

                    Thanks, I enjoy discussions where I have time to revisit and keep the dialogue going.

                    But also enjoy reading comments from many other commentators when I don’t – including yours.

              • Gabby …
                8 July 2017 at 11:09 am

                MathSSSSS, jame.

        • Draco T Bastard 1.1.1.3
          8 July 2017 at 10:28 am

          Actually, you’re belief is the BS.

          My nephew left school without SC and did have difficulty with basic maths. He’s now a qualified builder (maths essential).

          He’s a slow learner but not stupid.

          It’s people like this that National constantly throw away with their outdated policies such as National Standards.

          • JanM 1.1.1.3.1
            8 July 2017 at 10:32 am

            Exactly!

          • Enough is Enough 1.1.1.3.2
            8 July 2017 at 10:34 am

            I think that is the point he was trying to make Draco.

            Different people have different learning needs. It is the learning environment that needs to be stress tested.

            • Draco T Bastard 1.1.1.3.2.1
              8 July 2017 at 10:36 am

              The point that BM was making was that people who don’t meet National’s strict criteria should be thrown away like so much garbage.

              • Enough is Enough …
                8 July 2017 at 10:42 am

                I am not speaking for him, but my interpretation of what he said is that if we allow kids to fail, then they will have a tougher road though life.

                That is a matter of fact isn’t it?

                That is the reason why we need to be flexible when it comes to teaching, as what works for Bill, might not work for Bob.

                Teachers and learning environments need to be conitually assessed to ensure that all learners are being catered for.

                • Molly …
                  8 July 2017 at 10:51 am

                  “Teachers and learning environments need to be conitually assessed to ensure that all learners are being catered for.”

                  Except, the funding goes to the continual assessment – and none at all, to the additional help that is required.

                  Teachers and students already know when they need help, without National Standards.

                  A better use of funding, would be to have that help available to be used. It shows the priorities of our current government. To require report after report, without providing what is needed.

                • Draco T Bastard …
                  8 July 2017 at 10:54 am

                  I am not speaking for him, but my interpretation of what he said is that if we allow kids to fail, then they will have a tougher road though life.

                  He insists that the slow learners fail.

                  That is the reason why we need to be flexible when it comes to teaching, as what works for Bill, might not work for Bob.

                  True but BM is insistent that we not be flexible.

                • BM …
                  8 July 2017 at 11:10 am

                  On the money.

                  • Molly …
                    8 July 2017 at 11:33 am

                    Yet that is not what is happening. It is actually made more difficult by current policy.

          • Cinny 1.1.1.3.3
            8 July 2017 at 7:08 pm

            Nailed it Draco 😀

        • Molly 1.1.1.4
          8 July 2017 at 10:33 am

          Getting help for children who have learning challenges such as dyslexia, dyspraxia is very difficult in our schools. Any help, if offered needs to come out of the operational budget.

          There are also issues regarding nutrition, sleep deprivation, transitional families, and stress that schools do not have the resources to deal with – and students are not even starting their education from a neutral position.

          Children learn in different ways, and if the class size is too big and resources are stretched, then alternative methods of instruction are not able to be given.

          The government of the day sets priorities (National Standards), funding programmes (non-existent to none), class size and teacher numbers. Of course they take a large measure of responsibility for outcomes.

          • BM 1.1.1.4.1
            8 July 2017 at 11:09 am

            There are also issues regarding nutrition, sleep deprivation, transitional families, and stress that schools do not have the resources to deal with – and
            students are not even starting their education from a neutral position.

            Is that not the sort of stuff cyps should be dealing with? why do teachers think they have to deal with it?

            If a teacher thinks a child’s home life is poor and creating issues then the teacher needs to let cyps know.

            • Molly 1.1.1.4.1.1
              8 July 2017 at 11:32 am

              Teachers have to deal with the results of a failure of social policy, which is also a responsibility of the government. Children don’t shirk off those issues as they walk through the school gates, whether you think they should or not.

              As for the rest of your comment: Obviously, your knowledge of CYFS – is as wide as your knowledge of charter schools.

        • Pete 1.1.1.5
          8 July 2017 at 6:03 pm

          And what pray tell is the best way for kids to learn those basics? Through integrated approaches using flexibility. Hidebound assessment strictures mitigate against that and cretinous measurement mongrels with little knowledge or sense about how kids learn rabbit on demanding the cretinous approaches.

          They spend half their lives criticising teachers for having ‘one size fits all’ approaches and the other half wanting teachers to measure kids by ‘one size fits all’ standards.

        • Cinny 1.1.1.6
          8 July 2017 at 7:04 pm

          Are you an educator BM?

          No one is saying reading, writing and maths are not important, because they are, but if one is not good at those 3 subjects at primary level they are not going to feel good about themselves and the flow on effects are as severe as taking their own lives.

          Do you know of any teachers that use music in their maths class? Makes a massive difference, in their learning especially for the kid who is not great at maths but loves music, all of a sudden that kid is counting the beats and the maths start to flow after that.

          What about the dyslexic child who has a fantastic imagination, but due to large class sizes and under funding no one has picked up on their disability? That child maybe falling in reading and writing, but in drama and storytelling the child shines. Still they are failing at two of the ‘core’ subjects, and as a result their self esteem plummets, no one knows that the child is a great story teller, the child is not given the chance. Meanwhile the child’s low self esteem has lead to them bullying other kids to feel good about themselves and before you know it, it gets physical… another child left behind.

          Are you getting where I’m coming from now BM?

          Re Charter Schools, I’m fiercely against unqualified adults teaching kids.

          • Molly 1.1.1.6.1
            8 July 2017 at 8:08 pm

            “Re Charter Schools, I’m fiercely against unqualified adults teaching kids.
            I’m not per se. I am fiercely against charter schools though, because they take away the focus on delivering diversity and support for all students in state education, while funding private enterprise.

            Children learn from a wide variety of sources, including adults that are not qualified teachers, or other ages.

            I am also against a failure to recognise that a rich, learning environment exists with gifted facilitators and communicators. Current education policy requires delivery and assessments and that gets in the way.

            Agree, with the perspective your example gives above. Our view of success should be much broader and diverse, and recognise the value of all students.

        • Craig H 1.1.1.7
          9 July 2017 at 12:28 am

          Some people never learn maths worth a damn, and some can’t learn to read beyond a basic understanding, because their brains don’t work that way. Should we just chuck them on the scrap heap? Or perhaps find something they are good at and emphasise their strengths?

    • JanM 1.2
      8 July 2017 at 8:57 am

      Excellent piece, Ant. It’s not often are given the perspectives of intelligent, sensitive teachers struggling with the system as it is

    • ianmac 1.3
      8 July 2017 at 9:19 am

      Ant. That is a good summary.
      If a 30+ size class is to run well it has to be mass organised. Most kids do the same size fits all. If you apply the same organisation to a class of 20 nothing much changes. Hence the claim that size doesn’t matter. Rubbish.

      But in a class of 20 if the organisation is modified, then as you say, ” a whole new world of possibility opens up.” No wonder private schools can afford small classes. Individualised. Special needs catered for. Social tone lifts the behaviour or disruptive kids.

      • Siobhan 1.3.1
        8 July 2017 at 1:41 pm

        Exactly.
        Private schools who cater to those with enough money to make choices are usually very proud of their small class sizes.
        Point in case, Kings College, where I think Max Key attended..class size…18.
        I don’t recall John Key ever bemoaning the fact that Kings (presumably) wastes money by having unnecessary small class sizes.

      • Craig H 1.3.2
        9 July 2017 at 12:30 am

        I recall a study of studies which concluded that class sizes of 14 were the maximum for individual attention – more than that means most kids get around 1 minute a day of individual attention.

        • Molly 1.3.2.1
          9 July 2017 at 12:52 am

          Exemption applications for compulsory schooling have to meet “as well as and as regularly as ” state provided education.

          Way back when my application was being made, the benchmark given by a study for individual attention for children in the classroom in NZ was five minutes a week. So I think your recall is accurate.

        • Stuart Munro 1.3.2.2
          9 July 2017 at 3:51 am

          The classroom model with hour periods isn’t based on what we know about attention spans and similar learning constraints – that design is for institutional convenience, not for learning. There are ways of radically improving student outcomes – but charter school funding models don’t have much to do with them.

          • Craig H 1.3.2.2.1
            9 July 2017 at 12:14 pm

            Fully agree – we need to invest in more teachers and their development, and work smarter.

    • gsays 1.4
      8 July 2017 at 9:24 am

      well said ant.
      worthy of a post on it’s own.
      then the heartless comments from bm could be moderated and the compasionate adults with an inkling of concern for others can have an adult conversation.

      i am not a teacher, but am involved with youth (scouting) and what you say resonates.
      the confident excell. the ones that show up carrying baggage from home, school or perhaps not prepared to engage (hungry), resort to disruptive or sometimes violent behaviour to get the attention we all crave.

      i am mindful of last election where mana pledged to put a teacher aid(e?) in every classroom. not a solution in itself but a step in the right direction.
      the wages paid to two recently ‘retired’ national mps could have gotten 7 or 8 aides into schools.

    • Draco T Bastard 1.5
      8 July 2017 at 10:26 am

      Though numbering perhaps 5 – 10 in a class of 30 their influence spreads to give an overall impression of buzz, participation, progress – warmly acclaimed by ERO as “lively atmosphere conducive to learning”. These kids enter life qualified with excellence in a subject for which there is no tick-box on the record of learning: confidence and self belief. Our school system serves them well.

      I’m not so sure about that. They’ll probably all grow up to vote National because of all that false belief they have in themselves always being right.

      Excessive positive feedback has it’s downsides.

      • Ant 1.5.1
        8 July 2017 at 10:38 am

        True;
        as I said where all are valued through attention and recognition of individuality the rowdy self-confident become integrated within a new dynamic of inclusiveness.

    • Gabby 1.6
      8 July 2017 at 11:05 am

      Hopefully you’re praising the quiet hesitant kids too Ant, not just the figjams.

      • Ant 1.6.1
        8 July 2017 at 11:38 am

        Sure:
        “Of course there are quiet learners who excel and attain….”
        “Through regular feedback the less confident come to believe they COUNT….”
        “the class dynamic becomes a team with all individuals valued for their particular roles…..”

    • Tom Pained 1.7
      8 July 2017 at 11:33 am

      Young workers on zero hour contracts in UK

      http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/young-workers-zero-hour-contracts-10738207?utm_source=IPPR+weekly+newsletter&utm_campaign=5a60819aaf-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2017_07_06&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_0b30c067fe-5a60819aaf-277507253#ICID=nsm

      [text excerpt below]
      “A rise in the use of zero hours contracts could be contributing to poor mental health among younger people, a new study suggests.

      Young adults who are employed on the controversial contracts, under which they do not know if they have work from one week to the next, are less likely to be in good health and are at higher risk of poor mental health than workers with stable jobs.

      Researchers from the Centre for Longitudinal Studies at the UCL Institute of Education analysed data on more than 7,700 people living in England who were born in 1989-90.

      A total of 5% had zero hours contracts.

      Researchers found that those employed under zero hours contracts were 50% more likely to report poor mental health than those in more secure employment.

      The unemployed and shift workers were also more likely to report mental ill health.

      Meanwhile, compared to those who were not on such a contract, having a zero hours contract reduced the odds of reporting good health by 41%.

      “More people than ever are working on zero hours contracts in the UK, and this new data shows this to be contributing to poorer mental health among younger workers,” said Craig Thorley, senior research fellow at the Institute for Public Policy Research.

      “Efforts to improve the UK’s mental health must recognise the important relationship between health and work.

      “Government and employers must work together to promote better quality jobs which enhance, rather than damage, mental health and wellbeing.

      “Without this, we risk seeing increased demand for mental health services, reduced productivity, and more young people moving on to out-of-work sickness benefits.”

      The lead author, Dr Morag Henderson, added: “Millennials have faced a number of challenges as they entered the world of work. They joined the labour market at the height of the most recent financial crisis and faced higher than ever university fees and student loan debt.”

    • Ant 1.8
      8 July 2017 at 2:13 pm

      An argument I repudiate is that kids need to ‘harden up’ in preparation for the manner in which the ‘real world’ operates. The early years (including teenager time) are highly formative, – a setting in which hardening up will occur naturally at different times for individuals provided the classroom climate is supportive rather than confrontational. No one is without talent, present, emerging or latent.

      Finland, currently rated in the top three for education amongst nations, honours these things and many more. A visiting educator checking out the ‘system’ asked a local teacher “what programs do you have in place for your gifted children?” Surprised, the teacher replied “all our children are gifted.”

      • Molly 1.8.1
        8 July 2017 at 5:49 pm

        Heads up to BM et al. Finland is not longer teaching compulsory subjects at secondary level.

        Unfortunately, our MoE is looking at this, but missing the point that the whole system is set up completely differently with different priorities, so our education at primary level would need to be completely changed before this was a move that NZ could make.

    • Incognito 1.9
      8 July 2017 at 7:07 pm

      Thank you for another excellent comment Ant.

      We all know that confidence does not equal competence but that there’s a quality in confidence that makes it appear that way; confidence is attractive, sexy even, and no wonder superbly confident people get an easier ride [no pun] in life.

      Lack of confidence and self-belief or worse, a negative self-image, is fostered during the early formative years and further cemented (confirmed) on a daily basis throughout life. Quiet learners might excel (academically?) and attain (…) but this doesn’t mean they will get anywhere near their ‘true potential’. And, as is often the case, they will always have to compete with the confident or extravert ones.

      You can see this quite well on the sports field where the confident often wins over the more timid one, not because they are technically better or have better team-play and skills, but almost purely because of confidence and self-belief and, dear I say it, the will to win.

      The sad truth is that in this day and age of hyper-individuality our society and education system appear to nurture the individuality of only some, the ‘winners’, and to ignore or even suppress that of a large number of other people who are less prominent.

      Nobody knows for sure what the jobs of the future will look like and what kind of education or training is required. However, it seems likely that there will be a (increased) demand for people with social and emotion skills, people skills (incl. leadership & management), with creativity, with collaborative skills and attitudes, and for people who are flexible and resilient and who are life-long learners who can adapt to the increasing complexities of life and our societies.

      This is what we should be, and should have been, focussing on in education and we need to build a value system to nurture these people for the public good – we also need (different) role models.

  2. Ed 2
    8 July 2017 at 7:20 am

    ‘For the many, not the few’ or ”a fresh approach’.

    Which slogan gives a clearer message that the concerns of the working class will be addressed?
    Which slogan gives a clearer message that neoliberalism will be torn down and austerity got rid of?

  3. James 3
    8 July 2017 at 8:11 am

    It’s not the slogan that is going to stop labour winning the elections (well labour / greens and whoever) – it’s their people and policies.

    • garibaldi 3.1
      8 July 2017 at 8:14 am

      No James , it’s more the bloody media.

      • james 3.1.1
        8 July 2017 at 9:22 am

        No garibaldi – Thats just an excuse – read the thread yesterday – even some lefties cannot bring themselves to vote for labour.

        Its the media – geeeze you need a tin foil hat.

        • Robert Guyton 3.1.1.1
          8 July 2017 at 10:04 am

          ” even some lefties cannot bring themselves to vote for labour.”

          It’s going to be fascinating to see how many “righties”, National voters, don’t vote National in Barclay Country this election. Invercargill “righties” will show an even stronger rejection of National, now that the debacle has spread to the city. Sarah Dowie will be anxious.

          • James 3.1.1.1.1
            8 July 2017 at 10:58 am

            National deserve to lose votes down that way.

            Lucky labour are losing votes elsewhere in larger numbers. 🙂

          • Gabby 3.1.1.1.2
            8 July 2017 at 11:14 am

            I really hope Dowie mounts a spirited nothing-to-see-here-just-move-on watchoolookinat defence of Wee Toddy. That’ll go down like a cup of cold sick. I’d love to know if there’s a Hishon Barclay family link too.

        • Stuart Munro 3.1.1.2
          8 July 2017 at 10:07 am

          You’re misrepresenting James – the thread yesterday referred to campaigning for them.

          The media are absolute shite – biased and frequently uninformed.

          They still don’t pull Bill up on his ‘strong economy’ piffle.

        • adam 3.1.1.3
          8 July 2017 at 11:04 am

          Again with the ignorance james. It’s no longer FPP, and if you look outside – the sun is shining.

          • james 3.1.1.3.1
            8 July 2017 at 11:56 am

            I know that its not FPP – but when labour are so low in the polls – the odds of them cobbling something together demolishes as their numbers go lower.

            But I guess if you havnt learnt this in the last few elections – you wont learn after another loss this year.

            • adam 3.1.1.3.1.1
              8 July 2017 at 6:27 pm

              Poor james ignorance on display again, like our other favorite troll puckish rouge this love and fetish for the polls proves one thing. You ant got anything else.

    • riffer 3.2
      8 July 2017 at 8:22 am

      No. A slogan like “for the many, not the few” makes a massive difference, as it conveys a whole ideology in a short sentence. That has far greater cut-through than any range of policies.

      Ultimately, the average voter responds to an idea, rather than people and policies.

      Sure, have those to back up the idea. But the idea is key. It needs to be simple, easily repeated, easily understood – and believable.

      That’s what works in elections. Not explaining. Not laying out detail. Labour have fallen into this trap many times. And National will try it on them again. “Labour have no detail”. “Explain exactly how this works”. “Show us where the money comes from”

      And they will try and explain. And lose the voter in doing so.

      They need to keep it simple. And believable. Let the voter make up their own mind about it, but if the message is clear enough, everything else flows through into that.

      The left need to stop damn explaining everything. The right never do, and it works for them.

      • BM 3.2.1
        8 July 2017 at 8:30 am

        If the objective is to take the country in a completely different direction then you better provide some detail and get your salesperson hat on or otherwise you haven’t got a shit show of winning.

        A cheesy slogan and some buzzwords really ain’t going to cut it.

        • riffer 3.2.1.1
          8 July 2017 at 9:03 am

          You would think so, but they actually do.

          Your mates in the Nats have done it for the last three elections.

          And I don’t recall seeing a lot of actual details from them.

          • tc 3.2.1.1.1
            8 July 2017 at 9:16 am

            Exactly and when I saw labours slogan my first reaction was a WTF moment.

            Zero passion, about as cutting as a spoon. More bs identity politics.

            Its my fault for expecting more from beltway troughers, carrerists and national light pollys expecting a turn at the wheel for showing up

            • Enough is Enough 3.2.1.1.1.1
              8 July 2017 at 10:17 am

              I know what you mean. Andrew Kirton talked it up on Twitter as something fantsatic about to be released, something inspiring.

              Then he revealed and…..tumbleweeds.

              A Fresh Approach? WTF

              I am very worried about Kirton’s limitations asthe campaign manager.

        • Bearded Git 3.2.1.2
          8 July 2017 at 9:17 am

          I have a slogan for the Na(sty)tional Party-“For the few not the many”.

    • Ed 3.3
      8 July 2017 at 8:25 am

      So why do the Tories run on slogans every election?

      • riffer 3.3.1
        8 July 2017 at 8:28 am

        Think I answered that one for you Ed.

        • Ed 3.3.1.1
          8 July 2017 at 8:41 am

          You did answer it very well.
          The question though was posed to James, who is a Tory.

          • james 3.3.1.1.1
            8 July 2017 at 9:25 am

            You can run a slogan – what I said that you need more than a slogan – like people and politics.

            And people dont seem to want Little or labour / green policies.

            reference poll results for the last 9 years.

            • riffer 3.3.1.1.1.1
              8 July 2017 at 10:32 am

              Just checked out National’s policies:
              https://www.national.org.nz/policies

              It’s … a bit light … and I’m not just talking about the colour of the skin of every single person in the pictures.

              Working for All New Zealanders. Yeah, right.

            • Draco T Bastard 3.3.1.1.1.2
              8 July 2017 at 10:42 am

              National never runs to detail. Probably has a strong parallel with that admission by John Banks (ex-National MP) that if he actually told people his policies he’d never get voted in.

              If National told people what they really wanted to do then they’d never get voted in.

            • Gabby 3.3.1.1.1.3
              8 July 2017 at 11:17 am

              If people don’t seem to want Little or labour / green policie, jame, why do they vote nuttyanal? Do the mathSSSS jame.

    • Robert Guyton 3.4
      8 July 2017 at 9:00 am

      “People” lose elections for their parties?
      Barclay
      Collins
      Bennett
      Sabin
      McCully
      Brownlee
      et al.

      It’s allover, Blue Rover.

      • james 3.4.1
        8 July 2017 at 9:26 am

        Not over till its over.

        But looking at the poll results todate – trends, and even comments from a lot on here – I’d bet on National winning and not Labour.

        So Id say all over for little and labour if anything.

        • Molly 3.4.1.1
          8 July 2017 at 10:54 am

          Why do you vote National James?

          • James 3.4.1.1.1
            8 July 2017 at 11:01 am

            because I believe they are the best for the country.

            • Molly 3.4.1.1.1.1
              8 July 2017 at 11:46 am

              “You can run a slogan – what I said that you need more than a slogan – like people and politics.” (… policies?)

              I’ll help you out, by telling you where I’m currently thinking of putting my vote.

              I’ll most likely vote Mana because despite wanting a different government to the current, I also want to use my vote to indicate to all politicians of every party what my priorities are. They are not completely in line with my values, but are pretty close (but I don’t expect a political party to be, unless it is a party of one, run by me)

              I also would prefer a coalition government rather than a single party dominated one.

              What – apart from a slogan – makes you vote National, James?

            • DoublePlusGood 3.4.1.1.1.2
              8 July 2017 at 4:11 pm

              Sure, but why do you believe that?

              • Ed …
                8 July 2017 at 4:18 pm

                You expecting a reply?!!
                Molly asked 4 hours ago and was ignored.
                James only comes on the site for a certain purpose.

                • james …
                  8 July 2017 at 5:02 pm

                  I normally come and go – Im not a tragic that needs to sit here all day.

                  Ive already answered the question – There is no requirement for me to go into it any more.

                  I gave my reason – if people dont like it – tough.

                  • Ed …
                    8 July 2017 at 5:27 pm

                    You mean “because they are best for the country.”
                    That means nothing. So general a comment , I guess intentionally, that it cannot be understood.

    • Johan 3.5
      8 July 2017 at 9:15 am

      James is another troll who has woken up to pass on his anti-Labour vitriol.

      • james 3.5.1
        8 July 2017 at 9:27 am

        Sorry Johan,

        You have a pretty slim definition of vitriol. Just because you dont agree with it – dosnt make it wrong.

        • Ed 3.5.1.1
          8 July 2017 at 9:43 am

          Sounds like Johan has defined you quite well.

          ‘In Internet slang, a troll is a person who sows discord on the Internet by starting arguments or upsetting people, by posting inflammatory,extraneous, or off-topic messages in an online community (such as a newsgroup, forum, chat room, or blog) with the intent of provoking readers into an emotional response or of otherwise disrupting normal, on-topic discussion,often for the troll’s amusement.’

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

  4. Ed 4
    8 July 2017 at 8:40 am

    Hosking again proves himself to be unfit to be employed by on our public broadcaster, TVNZ.
    He is an outright sexist.

    “When do we stop celebrating women’s achievements?”

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv-radio/94356437/Hosking-When-do-we-stop-celebrating-womens-achievements

    And remember this one?
    “We don’t need a woman, this is man’s time. That’s what we said – man’s time! We’re going to talk about the league,”

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv-radio/84193664/Newsreader-Bernadine-Oliver-Kerby-says-Mike-Hosking-mans-time-drama-hilarious

    • tc 4.1
      8 July 2017 at 9:20 am

      No its a sign tvnz needs a senior cleaning out of nact enablers and jobs for the boys.

      Kendrick called netflix a passing fad the other day. Facepalm.

    • millsy 4.2
      8 July 2017 at 10:40 am

      If Fox ever opens a New Zealand channel, gods forbid, Hosking would be the first one signed up as a commentator, along with Leighton Smith,

    • Foreign waka 4.3
      8 July 2017 at 12:43 pm

      Nothing will be done or changed until people switch off the channel when Hosking is on. Otherwise, its business as usual, bad news will always be listened to, scandals and outrageous behavior seem to be more interesting than any other topic. Proven concept, stupid people abound so a certain no fail and money spinner. In other words, the media outlet has its clown and milk it for all its got.

      • Ed 4.3.1
        8 July 2017 at 1:02 pm

        I think being on prime time means a certain percentage of the population watch automatically.

  5. Ed 5
    8 July 2017 at 8:48 am

    Bill English.
    Delivering for New Zealanders.

    Not these New Zealanders…

    ‘Children suffer housing crisis fallout as rate of low-decile transience hits record
    Transient children have hit record numbers in low-income schools as the housing crisis forces more renting families to move house repeatedly.

    Numbers are still low, but the latest Ministry of Education data shows that 2.8 per cent of children in schools in the poorest tenth of areas moved at least twice last year – the highest low-income transience rate since records began in 2009.”The shortage of rental and social housing has meant that families are often having to move out of where they were,” she said.

    “For example, if you are in social housing, you may find you have to shift out of the area where you were in one part of Auckland and now the housing is available in South Auckland.

    “People at the higher end have more options available. They are usually going to shift within the same area. They have more control over their housing choices than poor people do.”
    Although on average only 0.5 per cent of children moved at least twice in any one year, the data shows that 15 per cent of all children who started school aged 5 in 2011 moved schools at least twice before they left year 6 at the end of 2016.

    And continued transience had a dramatic effect on whether students achieved the National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA).’

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11887420

    Jesse Mulligan: Government delivering to ‘all NZers’? Yeah right

    http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2017/06/jesse-mulligan-government-delivering-to-all-nzers-yeah-right.html

    • greywarshark 5.1
      8 July 2017 at 11:10 am

      Ed
      Your line on Jess Mulligan at the bottom of your comment gives the wrong impression of him and what he said.

      But don’t say this Government is delivering for all New Zealanders when what you mean is that it’s delivering for all New Zealanders except the poor, the homeless, the first-home buyers, New Zealanders suffering from depression and mental illness and the 100-plus young New Zealanders who take their own lives each year.
      Of course, that slogan isn’t quite so catchy.

      Jesse Mulligan is a host for Three’s The Project.

      That’s the end para summarising Jesse’s piece in your link to him. So we can see that he is asking hard questions about government.

      • Red 5.1.1
        8 July 2017 at 11:43 am

        paul just spams though a deluded prism of his making , what do you expect, analysis or synthesis

      • Ed 5.1.2
        8 July 2017 at 12:35 pm

        Yes I knew that.
        I meant that Mulligan’s line is one we could use regularly ourselves.

  6. Andre 6
    8 July 2017 at 9:24 am

    For aficionados of hilarious swivel-eyed loon rants, this one from Alex Jones is a real gem.

    http://www.salon.com/2017/07/07/alex-jones-is-freaking-out-about-humanoids-who-are-80-percent-gorilla-80-percent-pig/

    • One Two 6.1
      8 July 2017 at 1:07 pm

      Alex Jones is a trained actor

      You know that, right?

      • Andre 6.1.1
        8 July 2017 at 1:50 pm

        Noooo … are you telling me the patron saint of anti-vaxxers, 9/11 troofers, Deep State exposers, anti-GMO activists is an ACTOR? It’s all a FRAUD?

  7. Bearded Git 7
    8 July 2017 at 9:25 am

    Did anybody else realise TNZ were backed by a foreign billionaire? I knew sponsors such as Emirates and the baby-killing and plastic proliferating Nespresso were involved but this guy seems to have kept a very low profile. From the Herald today.

    “The French turned their backs on Team New Zealand hours after the dramatic capsize….. claims Team NZ’s billionaire backer. In an exclusive interview with the Weekend Herald this week, Emirates Team New Zealand principal, Matteo de Nora…….”

    • james 7.1
      8 July 2017 at 9:30 am

      yes – hes been the team principle for ages. Listed on all the websites etc. hardly kept a secret.

      • mauī 7.1.1
        8 July 2017 at 9:53 am

        Ozzie skipper too, makes you feel proud… just like Blake.

      • mac1 7.1.2
        8 July 2017 at 10:24 am

        Yes, James, he has been the team principle for years (your spelling!) – a billionaire, overseas sponsorship and foreign capital, with bought-in talent, in a ‘sport’ where only the super rich can play, who make the rules and sucker politicians into their service- all in the name of (great) entertainment for the masses.

        Bit like Roman chariot racing really.

        Without the bread!

        • Enough is Enough 7.1.2.1
          8 July 2017 at 10:30 am

          It is the masses who decide whether it is entertainment or not.

          There aren’t many other events, (sporting, political, cultural or otherwise) that gets 80,000 ordinary kiwis out on the streets on a wet misberable winter’s day.

          I am not sure what your problem with it is.

          • mac1 7.1.2.1.1
            8 July 2017 at 11:00 am

            No problem, at all. I got up and watched some races, after all.

            But, I also put it into a historical and social perspective.

            That which drove bigger crowds into the arenas of Rome throughout the Empire was entertainment provided and vetted by the elite of the day- the billionaires, ruling oligarchy and later the monarchy as well, with religious and social approval.

            The masses attended, and the brutality of Roman civilisation was further inculcated with a diet of executions, public dismemberment and the sport of chariot racing which was also brutal and violent.

            The masses were given their heroes to emulate, the bookies and their owners had the gambling scene sewn up.

            Politicians used such entertainment to make themselves popular with the masses.

            Charioteers, trainers, horses, chariot builders, the whole panoply of Roman technology and organisation, with talent from foreign countries to provide the muscle for the entertainment, willingly or otherwise…….

            Bread and circuses, Enough is Enough, panis et circenses. Tho oldest populist trick in the political book.

            The problem is the parallel between what is actually being served to us in the guise of entertainment, be it Roman games and circuses or The Americas Cup. Not so much the what, but rather the why.

            When will we say “Satis est satis?” indeed.

            • Enough is Enough 7.1.2.1.1.1
              8 July 2017 at 11:02 am

              Relax and enjoy the sight of foiling sail boats.

              • mac1 …
                8 July 2017 at 11:21 am

                Oh I did! And enjoyed the sight of nemesis meeting hubris.

                But, after the race is over, and the Cup is put on the shelf? Enjoy some reading of history!

                And for further motivation into something more beneficial to the human masses, there’s a wee matter of politics, where the question of bread for the masses, and housing, and health, and water can be addressed, in the interim, between Cups.

                • Enough is Enough …
                  8 July 2017 at 11:25 am

                  Good to hear Mac

                • gsays …
                  8 July 2017 at 12:00 pm

                  i enjoyed and was educated by that mac1.
                  i was mesmorised by the sight of those boats, the beautiful backdrop and the stunning quality of the camera work.
                  slightly bewildered by the drone camera technology too.

                  but back to the bigger picture: commonalities of empires in decline- bread and circuses,
                  large and growing inequality,
                  war,
                  the elevation of cooks to celebrity status.
                  even as a chef i am puzzled by the allure of the last one.

    • Gabby 7.2
      8 July 2017 at 11:22 am

      Better a foreign billionaire than the taxpayer.

    • greywarshark 7.3
      8 July 2017 at 11:24 am

      Bearded Git
      You should have checked this out with James to get all relevant info and be uptodate.!@

      • greywarshark 7.3.1
        8 July 2017 at 11:34 am

        I think I came up with a good idea. James seems very concerned to get us on the right road in all matters. Perhaps we should use this great resource.
        Can you tell us James if there is a way of cutting off salary for politicians that are under investigation and not carrying out their duties?

        • gsays 7.3.1.1
          8 July 2017 at 12:04 pm

          excellent greywarshark.
          another one: should the consequences, for an individual who attempts to intimidate a witness in a police investigation, be harsher if they are high up in the hierarchy of a party that has ‘tough on crime’ as part of it’s dna?

      • james 7.3.2
        8 July 2017 at 11:59 am

        Or just read and get informed

        • Molly 7.3.2.1
          8 July 2017 at 12:13 pm

          Paraphrasing John Pilger, James? (@7:12)

          That was unexpected.

          • Foreign waka 7.3.2.1.1
            8 July 2017 at 12:57 pm

            Arrogant Kim Hill, unprepared is an understatement. To interview one of the best living journalists and display such ignorance did NZ no favors.

            • Gabby 7.3.2.1.1.1
              8 July 2017 at 2:30 pm

              The bloody nerve of the woman, not seeing things his way and honouring his preeminence.

              • Foreign waka …
                8 July 2017 at 3:53 pm

                I think your ignorance is breath taking. Really. NZ is far away from everything and it shows.

              • Molly …
                8 July 2017 at 5:55 pm

                You should watch the interview Gabby. I did at the time, and was dismayed at the level of arrogance shown by Kim Hill.

                At a time when all media was in support of the invasion of Iraq, it was refreshing to have someone interviewed that disagreed. His response to her preparation (or lack of) was measured until it became apparent that she was just going to continue sneering at his answers.

                Completely put me off watching Kim Hill at the time.

                • greywarshark …
                  9 July 2017 at 8:48 pm

                  I had a look at that link for Kim Hill going back to 2003. It shows John Pilger in lordly rant talking down to Kim because she wants to ask some questions which is what interviewers do. He wants to dominate the time making a statement. I note that he is Australian – famous for being right about everything, and a male which would double the certainty when talking to a female.

                  Pilger has done much through his investigative reporting. But he can’t be right all the time. If he wants to get his message over on television and promote his book, he should try to earn his time by responding to questions, put on behalf of viewers wanting to be informed. To say that Kim hasn’t read the book, is ignorant! She is well known for being informed, all others in the world except Pilger think that, but he would be right. If she did not know something, perhaps she didn’t get the book in time to really study it.

                  And we have ideas about foreigners too waka, and sometimes reserve our opinion if the individuals are not worth even a passing judgment.

  8. gsays 8
    8 July 2017 at 10:05 am

    hey bm and james, there is a post up about tories in southland that needs your help.
    maybe pop over there and give us your opinions rather than soiling open mike.

    • james 8.1
      8 July 2017 at 12:00 pm

      I commented about it before the post went up:

      “Glenda Hughes to be investigated by police.

      http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2017/07/police-to-investigate-board-member-over-todd-barclay-saga.html

      the gift that keeps on giving for the left.”

      They are morons down there.

      • gsays 8.1.1
        8 July 2017 at 12:10 pm

        big ups to the greens then for their oia request then, eh james?

        so what should national do about this?
        something honourable and principled, or wait and see what the polling reveals and decide then?

      • Robert Guyton 8.1.2
        8 July 2017 at 12:19 pm

        Isn’t Glenda Hughes from up there?
        She’s no Southlander. Bill English is though.
        Is he a “moron” as well, James?

        • james 8.1.2.1
          8 July 2017 at 12:26 pm

          Its been handled very poorly – everyone involved as acted like a moron in this circumstance.

          You arnt going to find me sticking up for them.

          Its with the police now – as it should be,

          So I guess we have to wait for facts to come out from the investigation.

          • Robert Guyton 8.1.2.1.1
            8 July 2017 at 12:32 pm

            “Its with the police now – as it should be”

            It was with the police from the start, James yet you’re still happy to “wait for the facts to come out”?

            James; why do you think the police dropped the case? Why did they accept Barclay’s refusal to speak with them as a reason to stop investigating? Does that sound a little odd to you; dropping an investigation just because the accused won’t come in for a chat?
            James?

            • james 8.1.2.1.1.1
              8 July 2017 at 12:42 pm

              I havnt been watching this closely – You may have noticed that my post over the last few weeks have been less – I have been out of the country for a bit of a winter break.

              So just havnt been watching things at home that closely.

              I just know that the entire thing has been a pile of ***** the entire way thru.

              Simple as that really.

          • gsays 8.1.2.1.2
            8 July 2017 at 12:41 pm

            c’mon james, what do you think of the claim of mr joyce that the tape was heard in a non-ministerial capacity?

            there is no shame in acknowledging the prime minister has obfuscated, mislead, diminished his role and potentially outright lied during this debarclay.

          • Cinny 8.1.2.1.3
            8 July 2017 at 7:21 pm

            Knowing some of the facts, I’m very interested in the outcome of the investigation. JS

  9. Draco T Bastard 9
    8 July 2017 at 10:50 am

    Kiwi soldiers spreading across the globe

    The New Zealand Defence Force is highlighting the diversity and spread of its international operations, saying 11 percent of Kiwi troops are now overseas.

    “What is significant is the geographical spread of our operations, given the relative size of our defence force,” Major General Tim Gall, the Commander Joint Forces New Zealand, said.

    “We have personnel in six of the seven continents.”

    Some of those deployments I’m in full support of. But many we shouldn’t be going anywhere near.

    • Enough is Enough 9.1
      8 July 2017 at 10:51 am

      Which one don’t you support?

      • Draco T Bastard 9.1.1
        8 July 2017 at 1:06 pm

        About 230, or 23 percent, of those deployed on operations are based in the Middle East

        For starters as those are mostly based upon the US’s agenda to grab the ME oil for themselves.

        Five are based in South Korea, including two who serve as United Nations monitors along the Demilitarised Zone with North Korea.

        What are the other three doing?

    • greywarshark 9.2
      8 July 2017 at 12:35 pm

      It’s a crazy thing if we are paying for ourselves to take part in overseas fights that are to advance some other country’s objectives. We should mind our own business which is needing some close scrutiny to see its state of health. Is that a strong pulse or a dying spasm I feel?

      I have been reading about 12th century times in Britain. A lot of the fighting there was with mercenaries, it was a way of making a living for many. The English contender to the throne, Maud, apparently had Flemish forces, the Danes had ships that could be hired etc.

      If we are using our Defence Forces in other theatres of activity I hope we are getting paid! We can’t afford to be somebody’s lapdog and not get nice regular payments and travel expenses!

      What exactly do we think we are in New Zealand? We are just a little country with its main earner being dairy cows, borrowing huge amounts to boost the standard of living for some while others are in poverty. Almost a mirror image of 19th century NZ! We should be uniting with the Falklands, with a regular interchange of people from our fellow islanders down at the bottom of the world.

  10. joe90 10
    8 July 2017 at 11:48 am

    Multiple likes for this piece of hate posted in comments over on the sewer.

    (if you have the stomach you’ll need to wash after reading)

    http://archive.li/Ef5XV

    • greywarshark 10.1
      8 July 2017 at 11:58 am

      Thanks joe90 for exposing yourself to that germ-ridden place, you’re a stalwart.
      I will follow my usual practice and not go there, I have enough problem coping with the trolls here like blowflies striking vulnerable targets.

  11. greywarshark 11
    8 July 2017 at 11:54 am

    Probably someone has already put this up. But a little ray of sunshine on a cloudy day.

    Today at the UN Headquarters in New York, a global treaty banning nuclear weapons has been adopted.

    This is an historic moment: according to the treaty, to possess and develop nuclear weapons is now illegal under international law.

    The treaty will be open for signature by states on September 20th.

    (Activists release peace doves during the Hiroshima atomic bombing 60th anniversary in Japan, 2005. © Greenpeace / Jeremy Sutton-HibbertActivists release peace doves during the Hiroshima atomic bombing 60th anniversary. (2005))

    Over the last three weeks, 140 countries have engaged in final negotiations of the new treaty. The nine states with nuclear weapons (US, Russia, China, France, UK, India, Pakistan, Israel and North Korea) have been boycotting the meeting in an attempt to rob the process of its legitimacy. NATO members have also stayed outside of the negotiations, and on the wrong side of history. Their absence is sadly significant; unless a country ratifies the treaty, it is not bound by it.

    http://www.greenpeace.org/new-zealand/en/blog/historic-day-at-the-un-nuclear-weapons-are-no/blog/59812/

    • Draco T Bastard 11.1
      8 July 2017 at 1:10 pm

      Unfortunately I think we can be pretty much assured that none of the present nuclear weapon holding countries will get rid of them. They’ll simply not sign on the dotted line ensuring that this law doesn’t apply to them.

      This will mean that other countries, even if they sign, will be forced over time to develop their own nuclear weapons capabilities.

  12. gsays 12
    8 July 2017 at 12:42 pm

    is it a coincidence that the school holidays are here (no sat morn sport) and open mike is fizzing or some other reason?

  14. Draco T Bastard 14
    8 July 2017 at 2:45 pm

    An economy like this pisses off the business people because it lowers their profits.

  15. joe90 15
    8 July 2017 at 2:56 pm

    Yup, she went there.

    Trump Gives Speech to the People of Poland, Says 14 Words That Leave Americans Stunned https://t.co/8iKHEQemn9— Sarah Palin (@SarahPalinUSA) July 7, 2017

  16. Draco T Bastard 16
    8 July 2017 at 3:09 pm

    National doing the dirty again:

    A new criteria, added on Friday with no press release, requires the panel who consider applications to to take into account whether granting the money will “contribute to impeding or delaying the ability of people and communities to provide for their social, economic and cultural well-being in relation to important needs, including employment, housing and infrastructure.”

    Critics say this change will render the fund useless.

    Working to protect business against the wishes of the people.

    • ianmac 16.1
      8 July 2017 at 3:51 pm

      So make the protest/appeal process very expensive.
      Then starve access to funds.
      Protest/appeal dies.
      See we the Government know that all the people must have wanted this project or else they would have objected. And they didn’t.
      We are a very clever Government. (Does our Government get these ideas from Fiji?)

  17. Draco T Bastard 17
    8 July 2017 at 3:43 pm

    12-year-old inventor’s DIY phone hack packs a political punch

    12-year-old Vaanan Murugathas will bring his do-it-yourself spectrometer to this weekend’s Maker Festival to shed light on how anyone hack their phone to measure water quality using just construction paper, a CD, and his mobile app.

    In an interview on CBC’s Metro Morning, Murugathas said he was inspired by hearing host Matt Galloway and Indigenous critic Jesse Wente discussing the frequent and sometimes constant boil water advisories among First Nations reserves.

    “Many [First Nations] reserves don’t have access to clean water and I feel like the government is not doing enough to actually stop this issue,” he said.

    • Cinny 17.1
      8 July 2017 at 7:33 pm

      That is awesome, switched on young man he is, love his outlook…

      “His mantra: Want it? Make it! “

  18. joe90 18
    8 July 2017 at 5:32 pm

    A wee something to look forward to.
    /

    http://fe2017.com/

  19. marty mars 19
    8 July 2017 at 6:37 pm

    hardhitting – needs to be known – aussies and aussie lovers need to own up to the truth

    Like children after an old, long-concealed family tragedy, we’ve all been left subtly bruised by the history we’ve repressed. I’m not the only Australian to sense that the brash, cocksure, sun-bronzed Aussie image we love – so easygoing, so delightfully laid-back – also comes with a paradoxical hint of dryness, emptiness, blustering adolescent uncertainty, in our national psyche.

    Why the cultural cringe? The tall poppy suspicions? The strange timidity that has us creeping under the wing of one great and powerful friend or another? Our nation was built on a silent quicksand of wrongs. Aborigines; convicts; White Australia. We’re yet to crawl completely out; yet to turn into fully mature, proper grown-ups. But things are changing. Despite sneers at the “black armband view of history”, most of us now admit that terrible deeds were done, then hidden. Government apologies have elated almost everyone. And where now are those shrill massacre denials?

    One truth, though, is still wincingly hard to face: that most Australians owe our comfortable living first and foremost to the fact that Aborigines used to own the precious land, and now we do. None of us is guilty of those old wrongs: but we have benefited prodigiously from them.

    Unknowingly – and reluctant to probe too deeply – we’ve all lived well and thrived on the proceeds of crime.

    Now, far too late, it really is time to get out those black armbands. And above all, to listen.

    http://www.smh.com.au/comment/the-truth-behind-aboriginal-massacres-and-the-laidback-aussie-image-20170706-gx5si4.html

  20. mauī 20
    8 July 2017 at 8:29 pm

    Hoh! halftime ABs

  21. Molly 21
    8 July 2017 at 11:55 pm

    Just picked up my partner from watching the game at Eden Park.

    I suggested before he left that he should lead a chant of “O, Jeremy Corbyn” and we had a laugh at how that would be taken by his workmates.

    He’s sure that he heard several times during the game a chant very similar to “O, Jeremy Corbyn” coming from the Lions supporters. Could be mistaken, he – like me is getting older, and hard of hearing – but heartening to think the chant is becoming a way of calling out your Britishness to the world.

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