How’s the Dearest Leader polling? Fantastic, only he had to flip flop 360 degrees on his ‘NZs foreign trusts practices are legit-stance, move on, nothing to see here’ to saying he’ll appoint an independent expert to review the policies.
John Key wanted his legacy to be to leave New Zealand with a corporate logo as its flag that would announce to the world that New Zealand Inc. was open for business.
How did the dream go so wrong?
John Key’s real legacy is to make New Zealand a safe place for corporate criminals and wealthy tax dodgers to hide their money.
“We found pedophiles in the data, people, bad people, really bad people. We found mafia figures. Not just from Italy, but from Japan from America from everywhere, and they were convicted people.”
…..criminals involved in drugs and human trafficking generated the greatest amount of illicit funds.
But the criminals who had set up trusts in New Zealand were more likely to be involved in large-scale cartels, corruption and professional “trade-based” money-laundering.
One New Zealand trust has already been associated with Unaoil, a Monaco company under investigation for helping multinationals bribe oil ministers and officials in the Middle East.
…….Prime Minister John Key had said the OECD had “looked at our foreign trust rules in the past and had no concerns”.
Labour leader Andrew Little said an OECD report published in 2013 showed that was incorrect.
And Little is saying he thinks the debate about the UBI is a likely factor in Labours drop.
That doesn’t surprise me at all. All of you who rushed to turn the UBI into a trojan horse for wealth re-distribution can take a bow.
“Three years ago National led Labour by 7% in the ONCB poll. Today it is a 22% lead. Do Labour really think they are on the right path?”
Not only did Labour fall by 4%, but Peters is now at 10% for preferred PM, versus Little on 7%. He is simply failing to connect with traditional Labour voters, and showing no signs of winning back the center.
Free education and money for all failed, so where to now?
And when did Andrew Little support a UBI? Your answer does not add up, it seems you are spinning. A lie, even. How could anyone who supports national not tell the truth? Or twist things for their own political ends.
Quick turn the Nintendo back on, or Nessalt will come up with some comment to hate the poor with. Or tell us greed is good.
And your obvious lack of understand of what a UBI is – shows. Do you want a napkin, as you seem to be dribbling all over the keyboard?
Adam, you poor deluded sack of shit. obviously with no one to love you, you have decided to turn your vitriol to those who don’t care. annonymous commentators on the internet.
Either you really are the human incarnation of slowpoke, or you are a troll, here to make the mad left look even madder.
Hmmm, no. it means a universal benefit. obviously taking it is optional. Seeing as you plan to sting me 50-70% of my earnings to pay for it being universal, i’m going to take it however. as will all. as that’s what happens with these things.
weka, back to spinning for labour as if his sad life depended on it.
I’m not surprised at your smug hateful rant, you could try to be at least a wee bit funny with it.
Like pulling your phallus out and comparing sizes, I pretty sure at this point – mine is way bigger than yours. Or maybe you could try exercising a modicum of dignity when jumping in on a comment stream. Too soon?
Again – what is a UBI? Apart from the obvious paranoid delusions you showed when ranting at weka. That mode of crazy not-happy freaking about mythical tax rates. The Fox News porn star, who only has time for themselves. Ever wondered why we call your ilk, RWNJ?
Or are we going to get back to picking on people by calling them crazy, you seem good at that. Like kicking the poor when they are down. Bet you not so secretly hate single mothers, and absolutely love section with 70a.
I’d be amiss Nessalt to leave out that I have much love in my life. That is just one the joys of being a Christian, and a person who works for and in the community. I see self indignant wreaks like you all the time, give up the hate son, and let love into your heart.
All this supposes that the poll is not a complete fabrication.
There have been an abundance of scandals since the flag debacle – by selective questioning it’s perfectly possible to pretend that the flag had no effect on Key. But the people in Key’s own camp who deserted him over this issue are significant – even if they don’t show up in a fake statistical vehicle designed to attack Andrew Little. They’re taking a second look at Winston and saying ‘God I hate him – but he’s better than Key.’
But it’s the TPP that has really dented John – and it won’t go away as the costs are up front and the supposed benefits won’t kick in till 2030. When Key brays about his surplus this year, and borrowing reaches $150 billion to support the fiction even Key’s clowns will be starting to notice the gilt paint is flaking off their little tin pot dictator.
Given that the poll – with no measures of accuracy – was immediately weaponized by the MSM to attack Little’s leadership – we need not regard it as anything but a fascist ploy.
One might just as easily have constructed a story about the Gnats dumping Key for his involvement in illegal and dishonest tax constructs – and it would have no basis in fact either – this generation of Gnats being crookeder than anything outside of prison, neither dishonesty nor tax cheating trouble them at all. But they trouble the public.
Better that the MSM publish polls without comment and leave the speculative attacks to scum-sucking vermin like Farrar and Slater.
In the more than fifty years that I’ve been following NZ politics my landline has never been polled. Selective much? And who polices neutrality = no-one.
There is a measurable political opportunity just lying there for any pollster unscrupulous enough to simply lie through their teeth.
How sure are you that labour voters where asked and in which numbers.
I had a look at the breakdown of the poll, and guess what it does state nowhere that the questions asked where answered by selfidentified labour/national/nzfirst/green voters, they were answered by voters. They might all have been National/ex conservative/exact/expeterdunneparty/exmaoriparty voters. you would actually not know.
all the poll says is that of a sample of 1000 people polled on a landline on a monday 7% preferred Little. 39% said they preferred JK – that would have both of them down compared to the last poll and 10% said winston, a full 13% gave no answer.
And Little is saying he thinks the debate about the UBI is a likely factor in Labours drop.
Nope, hasn’t been long enough and the majority in a NZHerald online poll of people actually supported it. Same as it hasn’t been long enough for National’s inaction and probable culpability on the Panama Paper to make a change.
All of you who rushed to turn the UBI into a trojan horse for wealth re-distribution can take a bow.
The UBI isn’t about wealth redistribution – capitalism is as it redistributes the nations wealth to the rich.
So the likely coalition of opposition parties is within a couple of percent of the government over a year out from the election, and nz1’s gains in the rural electorates seem to be pretty solid.
But in most little tories I’ve known, a firm handshake and confident outlook is often used to compensate for actual achievement or skill. Nothing new, really.
just like how he said that the post-1996 election govt wouldn’t be a national government.
And actually, he’s only 2% off the balance of power. I’m sure he’ll get that in rural votes after a few more months of fucked milk prices.
He mightn’t be part of an ‘opposition coalition’ at the moment, the question is whether he’ll be part of a government coalition after the election. And he can see which way the wind is blowing, and it’s away from Key.
But then, you’re a pointless mouthpiece sucking off the current regime, so whatever…
You have noted Winnie and Don Brashes recent romance McFlock?
You are aware of his stance on Maori/Treaty issues?
You have heard what he has said about the Greens financial policies?
And you did get his firm denial last week that there would be any kind of shared platform between NZF and The Labour/Greens last week?
And at this point he wouldn’t even be needed by JK…..
If that’s a wind blowing against him, then that straw you are clutching must be a log.
What’s JK’s preferred pm rating again? 39%? Didn’t you bastards used to keep saying it was around 60%? Try that wind on for size. Or you can choose to focus solely on Labour’s results and pretend it’s a two-horse race.
The relevant comparison isn’t between Key and Little, it’s between Key and the National party’s polling. The former, going by this poll, is at 39%, not enough to prop up the latter if it heads even slightly south. Key is no longer in a position to boost National’s polling greatly. His fortunes hold or crumble with those of the party, not the other way around. This poll is in the realms of “too close to call”, not a comfortable win for National.
FPP would be another story altogether McFlock. Going by the electorate seats results at the last election, The Nats would be governing alone with a massive majority, and heading for the same situation next time around…..
That’s why I was a very early and energetic campaigner for the move to MMP.
At that stage I was convinced that MMP would destroy the Nat’s. If you’d told me then what the situation in 2016 would be I would have never believed it….
There is still 28% that think unions taking money from low paid workers so highly paid Labour party politicians don’t need to spend their own money campaigning. Wow, lessons from history are completely ignored by that many people ?
We are all suffering except the 1% and that’s why 50% of us would vote for the Neo Libs Nats to stay in power, and another 35% would vote for parties that will only tinker slightly with the current paradigm.
It must be so frustrating to be one of the few who know the real truth, and yet not be able to open the eyes of the poor stupid masses who lack your powers of perception!
What can be done in a world so full of easily deceived idiots eh?
Honest John skewered by Guyon this morning. Honest John, preferred PM, riding high in the polls sounded like he was choking on his own tongue. Obviously lying through his teeth, his speech was virtually indecipherable. So he has had money in a blind trust in Singapore, divulged when questioned closely, with a nervous titter, but dodged any further questions in the same vein. All the rest……. don’t know, haven’t been advised, have to ask IRD, etc, etc. The man is a shameful horror.
It just doesn’t fly that we have a PM who so readily and repeatedly tells us that he knows nothing about so much. So what is it that he does know that he’s hiding ?
The Gormless Fool formerly known as Oleolebiscuitbarrell 7.2.1
He worked in Singapore. His employer had a super scheme. It is a trust. So, he has an interest in an off shore trust. But I’m not sure why we need to get excited about that.
It’s Key’s MO – secret trusts and tax evasion are his hallmarks. You’re right there’s nothing to get excited about yet though – but it’s not because Key isn’t a crook, but because the proof hasn’t surfaced yet.
Of course, as a far-right tr0ll, you’re comfortable with crimes of dishonesty, drug-dealing and paedophilia, but these are not qualities that most kiwis consider desirable in a leader.
The Gormless Fool formerly known as Oleolebiscuitbarrell 7.2.1.1.1
No. Blind trusts are set up by politicians so that they do not know what their assets are invested in. In this way the decisions they make are not impacted by the assets they own.
Why shouldn’t he participate in his employer’s super scheme? Is this rule going to be applied to everyone?
No. Blind trusts are set up by politicians so that they do not know what their assets are invested in. In this way the decisions they make are not impacted by the assets they ow
No. Blind trusts are set up by politicians so that they do not know what their assets are invested in. In this way the decisions they make are not impacted by the assets they own.
SO how can he say this
he had never used sheltering vehicles.
“I’m quite comfortable and very confident of my tax record,” he told Radio NZ.
It’s Key’s MO – secret trusts and tax evasion are his hallmarks.
Remember Mike Williams was tipped off a few years back about something dodgy involving Key and during the course of a visit to Aussie he did some digging. He didn’t find what he was looking for, but you can be sure there’s plenty of evidence of dodgy deals etc. somewhere. Sooner or later something is likely to emerge from the Panama Papers that will leave a clue as to the whereabouts of this evidence.
If Labour want to prove they have what it takes they will throw everything at it when the time comes. Winston Peters owes much of his longevity to the Winebox papers. He never gave up, and I’m one of those who admired him for his tenacity. So, come on Labour… stop being shrinking violets and show some guts.
The Gormless Fool formerly known as Oleolebiscuitbarrell 7.2.1.1.2.1
Hahaha. The Singapore employer’s super is a deliberate red herring that is meant to distract. JK offers that up and, well, of course, that will be found to be kosher but not others that will remain hidden and not disclosed.
“David Cameron will have a humiliating public grilling
Shamefaced David Cameron faces a public grilling over his personal tax affairs amid questions about a second secret stash of shares worth £72,000.
The under-fire Prime Minister will make a humiliating statement to Parliament after his tax returns showed he secretly sold off another huge tranche of shares in 2010 alongside the £31,000 stake in his dad’s offshore fund.
Downing Street is refusing to say which other investment funds or private firms the PM held a stake in – and if any more of them were based in dodgy tax havens.
On RNZ news this morning , the PM, when questioned about would he be prepared to declare his tax details to the public like David Cameron had just to let the people know he didn’t have any dodgy deals, he said “he certainly would not do that”. He has always tried to explain that the Government Spying Agency isn’t harmful if you have nothing to hide. Well, this explains it quite plainly, that the PM has tax matters that are dodgy and he does have something to hide. You can’t have a bob both ways. The whole situation stinks to high heaven and how on earth he still gets high ratings in the polls stinks too. They have to be rigged, nothing else for it. We may be stupid in NZ but nobody is that stupid that they could keep voting his popularity so highly, unless we are a nation of crooks and enjoy wallowing in the corruption that is going on. I just hope that the Government isn’t going to be the one to set the Terms of Reference for this “so called” enquiry the PM says he “may” set up. Beggars belief.
He certainly will tell is his pissing in the shower habits but not his money habits. One of these things is not like the other…. nothing to hide, right?
Although I reckon what he fears is the public reaction when the charity to which he donates his salary is revealed. He’ll have the other stuff covered.
He will always be able to fudge his way through an investigation into his own affairs but he should RESIGN for the major part he played in introducing a law that isn’t in the interest of NZer’s, and is harmful to the functioning of our society due to lost tax revenue.
The poverty that tax dodgers create around the globe is criminal. Our PM is complicit in preventing tax funds going to the people that need it most. While poverty increases in NZ so does the wealth of those not paying tax in our country.
Stand Down Key.
And a song to go with it. Apologies for double posting
The Gormless Fool formerly known as Oleolebiscuitbarrell 9.3.1
Nicky Hager, if you looking on please, we need you. Get in touch with that international consortium of journalists and start doing your thing. You have your notes and computer back, this country needs you badly right now. Keep safe.
don’t think so and i think the last line of the article gives it away.
‘The case is under strict name suppression MAINLY TO PROTECT THE GIRLS.
Mainly….meaning also to protect the alleged offender, and any public body the prominent NZ’ler may work with?
In Scottish law they have a verdict of ‘not proven’. This indicates that ‘we know very well you’ve done something, but the evidence is insufficient thus far’. NZ culture is more Scots descended than English.
Bain – the police involved should be sacked they screwed up so badly – There’s a precedent in NZ law about circumstatial evidence that should be taken as disproved when there’s an abundance of physical evidence that fails to support the case. Christchurch creche thing was probably worse in terms of actual lack of evidence.
hang on stuart..
“the police involved should be sacked they screwed up so badly “,
you aren’t suggesting that violence travel up the hierarchy, are you?
as happens time and time again, responsibility isn’t for the rich or powerful.
Depends on if permanent name suppression is sort and granted. That probably depends on how the jury rule, the sentence, and if leave for appeal is requested.
Key to Parliament: We will wait to join international coalition on trusts
Woodhouse to media: We will wait to join international coalition on trusts
Key to RNZ: We may appoint an independent expert
hmm…….backdown? For Key and Cameron a week in politics is….
Perhaps we could also look at other trusts, like say Aldgate & Whitechapel.
The Right do fear Little – even now Key and Donghwa Liu will be cooking up some piece of tripe for their MSM toadies to stick on Little like the Liu letter on Cunliffe.
We should prepare something similarly discrediting for the traitor Key – if his trusts don’t provide conclusive evidence of criminality before the election.
You forgot all it needs is for labour to go far left and then all those flexible center voters will go with them as they just don’t want national lite, likewise the missing million will get out to vote, The CV and Paul doctrine
Not true at all – Labour only needs to return to the centre – where the moderate centrists like Bernie Sanders, Paul Krugman and Robert Reich are.
I still think we should have a few far lefties though, to put the fear of God and gulags into career criminals like Key, Shipley, Talley and yourself. With greater roles, greater responsibilities – Stealing public assets is ample reason to incarcerate an MP for life without parole.
National have previously been informed by both the IRD working party AND were also warned in the OECD report in 2013…..but obviously saw no need to heed that advice as things were operating exactly as intended
Its been reported that there are unlikely to be many Americans who have used this Panamanian law firm because they have plenty of dodgy companies of their own they can use.
Yes, ask the hard questions mate. If hoping some how linking John Key to Panama papers is Labour’s winning strategy, I can’t see Labour returning to power for at least another two terms. This is the kind of attitude, tax and spend policies have driven former Labour voters like me away from Labour. Still they won’t learn and that is the sad part.
[BLiP: Concern trolling – plus assuming that The Standard is involved in Labour’s strategy. VERY close to a ban. Moved to Open Mike.]
[lprent: Add your handle in some form when moderatimg please. Good call otherwise. This twerp ticks all of the boxes for a stupid concern troll. Personally I’d have just banned him/her for their parrot stupidity. ]
This is the kind of attitude, tax and spend policies have driven former Labour voters like me away from Labour.
Nope .. you’re a National party voter. They’re the natural home of sociopaths who parasite on the ‘tax and spend’ the rest of us normal people are happy to pay as the price of ‘civilisation’.
Nope .. you’re a National party voter. They’re the natural home of sociopaths who parasite on the ‘tax and spend’ the rest of us normal people are happy to pay as the price of ‘civilisation’.
QFT
National works on the principle that money should flow to them and their rich mates from the poor and set up the economy to do just that.
That’s what the Panama Papers are – proof of theft by the rich. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
Being rich is, essentially, proof that you’re a thief.
See, I actually know how to become rich and it’s got nothing to do with me working hard and everything to do with me taking from as many people as possible. It comes down to the saying: A little bit here, a little bit there and pretty soon your talking serious money.
The rich steal little amounts from everyone to become rich. We used to call it usury and banned it but the powerful bribed the pope to allow it back a few centuries ago and now we’ve got a society that based almost entirely around theft.
This has to be the funniest comment of the day (sorry Adam)
“See, I actually know how to become rich and it’s got nothing to do with me working hard and everything to do with me taking from as many people as possible.”
Now Helen Clark has teamed up with Key for her tilt at the UN’s top job.
That must rankle.
It’s not just Key endorsing Clark. It’s Clark endorsing Key. They are now a team who talk and strategize. They are Richie McCaw and Dan Carter after the top prize.
Labour under Clark was disciplined, cohesive and competent. Labour under Clark won three elections and the trust of middle voters. Little is the fourth Labour leader since her departure and the party still lacks the drive and traction she provided. Labour appears unfit for Opposition, let alone Government.
That last line by itself is gold: Labour appears unfit for Opposition, let alone Government.
Careful fender, Puckish Rogue loves rolling around in his own mud.
The fact of the matter is it’s been a bad few weeks for this national government, and the only option the have is to lie. And of course they will reach for the big lie.
Funny I don’t know anyone who takes rodney hide seriously after his abuse of the public purse.
And truly odd, that act party hacks taking the led, must be the national party know they can’t front anything – otherwise they will look like the lying cretonnes they are.
The Gormless Fool formerly known as Oleolebiscuitbarrell 23.2.2.1
Oh look, we have a PM who lies, and PM who likes to pull young women hair,a national party that lost a referendum, a national party who reaches for corporate money, a national party who aids and abets criminals. A national party who is happy to rip apart this country for power. A national party who are happy to keep on hurting the poor.
But I’m wrong, because you can produce a poll of people – who will vote.
Grow up The Gormless Fool formerly known as Oleolebiscuitbarrell, it’s like talking to a two year old. The world is a bit more complex that your one liners.
Keep up the sneering, the smugness and the putting down of all who question that the self interested in this country do not speak for us all.
Keep believing that creating a divided nation is good for your children, and your children’s children.
If the polls mean anything – that to many of the people who support this national government, are self interested and self absorbed to the point of being amoral. Or let me put that in much simpler terms.
To many people who support this national government are but the tools of the deceiver.
So much irony in one comment there adam. you spouted off seven one-liners, then told ole gormy to grow up and not spout one-liners, Then spouted off 5 more one line slogans.
learn the difference between to and too as well, it makes reading your gibberish more painful than it needs to be.
Yes absolutely Labour is going well and National is doing poorly (according to Labours internal polls which are never, ever published) so whatever you do not change what Labour is doing.
Andrew Little just needs some more time for the voters to get to know him…
If nothing else works, again with the big lie ah Puckish Rogue. Everyone one on the standard is a labour party supporter.
Grow up.
The opposition is made up of a few parties, just in case you missed what a parliament looks like in M.M.P democracy.
So in the real world, the opposition is not just labour, and the next PM may not be the leader of the labour party.
I’m a lefty who says you and your ilk can’t stop lying and face the hard truth. You have lost the support of the majority of the population, and that was a while ago. The labour party have not picked up that support, and as an anti-authoritarian democrat I’m happy about that also.
It’s not a world of your simplistic spun duality Puckish Rogue, and when ever you grow up and face that reality – I look forward to having an adult discussion.
“If nothing else works, again with the big lie ah Puckish Rogue.”
– You don’t quite seem to grasp that , for John Key, it is working, it is working, really, really well.
“The opposition is made up of a few parties, just in case you missed what a parliament looks like in M.M.P democracy.”
– Yes, the parties that have let John Key win three elections so far and looking good for a fourth
“So in the real world, the opposition is not just labour, and the next PM may not be the leader of the labour party.”
– NZ under MMP is still strongly influenced by FFP thinking and if Labour ever want a sniff of power then they need to well above 30% come election time otherwise they’re going to be subjected to the will and whim of Winston Peters
“I’m a lefty who says you and your ilk can’t stop lying and face the hard truth. You have lost the support of the majority of the population, and that was a while ago. The labour party have not picked up that support, and as an anti-authoritarian democrat I’m happy about that also”
– I can say that until John Keys lose an election then the majority do support him
“It’s not a world of your simplistic spun duality Puckish Rogue, and when ever you grow up and face that reality – I look forward to having an adult discussion.”
– That you seem incapable of understanding the political realities of NZ leads me to suggest that: pot, kettle, black
– I can say that until John Keys lose an election then the majority do support him
That is a lie. Out right, are you saying that every one not voting supports this national government?
– That you seem incapable of understanding the political realities of NZ leads me to suggest that: pot, kettle, black
Thanks for proving my point
– You don’t quite seem to grasp that , for John Key, it is working, it is working, really, really well.
So you are happy for our society being destroyed, and the poor being ground down. And the culture of greed and naval gazing wins.
But again, you frame things to suit yourself. And don’t answer my questions so are you working for the deceiver? Or do you just worship him?
– NZ under MMP is still strongly influenced by FFP thinking and if Labour ever want a sniff of power then they need to well above 30% come election time otherwise they’re going to be subjected to the will and whim of Winston Peter
What does the sentence even mean? Gibberish or a new lie?
That is a lie. Out right, are you saying that every one not voting supports this national government?
It’s a vote for the status quo, otherwise you’d be out voting.
There’s one other little Mossack Fonseca connection in New Zealand, not obviously connected to foreign trusts, that will get special attention in a forthcoming post.
@Adam – in order to redistribute wealth we need to get the super rich to pay their share. This is very important stuff. If the left keep going after the declining middle class for taxes then they start voting right. By identifying that the super rich and in particular foreign super rich and/or criminals are using our laws to hide money under a law Key directly passed himself, then it does two things.
1/ identifies Key is one who is for the 0.001% and to help foreigners hide money in NZ
2/ Finds unpaid taxes from the super rich 0.001% and then can redistribute back to ripped off Kiwis.
How about a Law, like for drugs where those found profiting from their ill gotten gains gets all their assets seized by the government? Would love to see Key and co’s wealth given back to the people he stole it from.
At least we can pretty much guarantee that Little, Cunliffe, Turei and Shaw will not have foreign ‘trusts’ and tax havens in their past! They are honest politicians!
Don’t think we can say that from Key, Mitchell and Collins and probably most of the rest of the National party.
So saveNZ, getting back to what I said – can I ask what you are doing to organise people to either be opposed to this? Or are you organising something else, part of anything else?
I agree, it’s happening in NZ, and this national government have become overt enablers. It happen else were, but quite frankly I’m more interested in people’s needs. Like beds, food and healthy roof over their heads. I find this a distraction, we should let legal minds fight out. Whilst we work on improving things.
Let’s see, 36% of NZers voted for national, half of that is 18%… you reckon that we have a government like this even though the proportion of tory scum in NZ is less than one in five?
Fairly bleak worldview, that – we’re all slaves to the most manipulative, sociopathic, small-minded fifth of the nation…
You’ve convinced me with your argument, you should contact all left wing MPs to get the message out and tell it to all that:National voters are poor-hating tory scum
It’ll cause a huge upswing in the polls for the left for sure
Personally, I reckon only about a quarter or a third of the country are fuckwits, but at least that means that our system is vaguely democratic. You’re the one who argued that we have a tax-haven-making, waterway-shitting, resource-stripping, carbon-puking, poverty-bludgeoning government of sociopaths and [details suppressed by the courts] despite the majority of people who voted for those pricks being quite nice and normal.
Tell you what: if the nats campaigned honestly on their policies of stripping NZ resources for sale overseas, watching NZers die young, and leaving what remains as a toxic wasteland, then the Left should campaign on the slogan that anyone who votes for the nats is a selfish, stupid piece of shit.
I’ve no idea what the polls would be, but at least the only bullshit will be in our waterways if you pricks win again.
Poor Puckish Rogue, do you not like being called a Tory scum bag. Who has no empathy, nor any compassion.
And you are lying again Puckish Rouge, where is that majority of New Zealanders who voted Tory? I see no overwhelming Tory mandate by society.
Tory is what Tory is Puckish Rouge, I can’t be held responsible for the utter lack of humanity, or just plan decency of the people they elect. That when you hurt people by being ideologically rigid – I get to call you scum.
But go on, no doubt you will frame the debate away again…
Last week I observed John Key on a visit to Hamilton where he spent time in a very posh retirement home.
The interesting part of the visit to me was the reception he got from the cleaning, catering and carer staff. It ranged from delighted to rapturous, with one of the carers giving him a hug before he left.
Key made a point of talking with the cleaners and cooks showing what seemed like genuine interest and friendliness and patiently posed for selfies.
It was a bit like a visit from a rock star.
What is the secret of his appeal? When he left everyone was smiling and excitedly telling about what he had said to them.
I consider the Hawthorne effect may have a bearing on this. While various summaries of it differ, I think its main results arise from the aspect of having friendly interest taken in people who are workers in unrewarding jobs. This interest gives them pleasure and a rare feeling of respect and affirmation and is received enthusiastically.
Google heading –
What is Hawthorne effect? definition and meaning http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/Hawthorne-effect.html
Definition of Hawthorne effect: Observation that employee motivation is affected as much or more by recognition and show of concern, as it is by improvements in …
You’re assuming Bea Brown’s anecdote is true but, just for fun, lets assume it might be. In that case, I tend to agree; it will be some sort of manifestation of social ill-ease rather than any kind of display of affection or respect for John Key. It might even be as simple as the staff enjoying a few moments away from their duties, a brief respite from the drudgery of their zero-hour minimum-wage situation.
It is almost half way through National’s third term, so it is useful to compare it to the same poll halfway through National’s second term.
In April 2013 National was at 43% and Labour 36% – a 7% gap.
In April 2016 National is at 50% and Labour 28% – a 22% gap.
This is the lowest Labour has been since the election, and also the highest National has been. And taken after the flag referendum which Labour were convinced would damage National, so they opposed change against their own policy. Nice outcome guys.
Key Little is also at 7% Preferred Prime Minister. This is the lowest for a Labour Leader since May 2010. He is now 3% behind Peters.
Labour said in December 2014 their aim was to be polling at 40% by the end of 2015. It’s April 2016 and they’re in the 20s.
If I was a Labour MP, I’d be asking what exactly do they think will change in the next 18 months, so it isn’t a repeat of the last 18 months?
This is the third time today you have harped on about polls. Really, who cares. Only one poll counts, and yes your mob won the last one.
But in the mean time they don’t mean jack. Unless the Tory scum are on the ropes, then you and you ilk come on here, and write post after post, saying how wonderful Key is because of some poll. Forget, the flag loss, forget poverty, forget enabling criminals. It’s all about a bloody poll.
Polls are to the public relations spin doctors like yourself, just another avenue to make stuff up, and do what you do best, lie.
The last three ones you mean 🙂 actually the ones who do come on here are quite consistent, we come on here when Nationals up and when Labours down and vice versa
For the last 8 years its mostly been the former of course
Wow, can’t give the PR consultant Puckish Rogue an inch ah, or they will winge a mile.
And let me repeat, this is not a labour party web site, and are you that dumb you can’t see the difference?
I mean all day, and for some time now, the way you talk it’s all about labour and national. Are you that stupid, or do you not understand the left is a bit more divergent than that?
We get you are a part of a group who lies. Thanks Frank for the great article by the way.
Ahh Adam I admire the way you ignore the difficult (ie Labour sucks and Labours the largest left wing party in NZ so when they suck it makes it harder overall for the left to gain power in an MMP environment) and instead focus on the less important
You know the listener just had a piece expounding the virtues of eugenics recently? It is a magazine which these days is just odd. And that is the nicest thing I can say for it.
Puckish Rogue with his war fetish, his stereotype debasement and indifference to refugees, and his hard line support for the drug Alcohol is a keyboard warrior of the worst type.
When I look at what he supports with all its misery, damage and death I rate him on par with a pedophile….. I may get a ban for this statement but it is a 100% honest assessment of the regard I hold him in……. based on his own posting history that I have read.
Him gloating over a poll is the least of his sins but typical of his personality .
Everyone can enjoy the fact they are not a puckish rouge …..
Although BM and others do try to be as gross, idiotic and dishonest on occasion ………………..
I think they come to The Standard because they like being annoying arseholes and their sort are a dime a dozen over at kiwisewer or whalesoil so they don’t stand out there.
Dang you would think that such outpouring of love and admiration of dear leader is captured on film (or what ever the digital equivalent) and shown to the fawning masses on telly, and printmedia
Question: Was an appropriate amount of roses, undies and ponytails thrown at the stage?
The sewer seems to be morphing into a white supremacist site with commenters linking to the reactionary musings from the alt-right touting race realism.
It is true and could easily be verified. I was a bystander with no involvement at all.
Don’t we want to know the secret of his appeal?
The carer who hugged Key was almost in tears, he was so happy and overcome. It was moving to see his emotion.
I don’t think we can keep on saying these people are stupid, dumb slaves.
Even in Dubai last year a hotel chef told me when he found out I was a NZer that our PM John Key had stayed there and he had gone out of his way to speak to many of the staff who looked after him and everyone liked him. This was far away from NZ and any political pay-off.
Until we understand Key’s appeal, we cannot possibly defeat him.
Hurling insults at me or him or one another gets us nowhere.
Most unusual. The Herald online is publishing heaps of stuff about murders, sport, Labour and the poll etc. But surprisingly, there is nothing that I can see about Panama, Trusts or Key blustering around. S’pect the Key edict to CEO is drop it!
Except for Mike Hoskings Radio live interview.
Unbelievable. Had to check for myself. On the site’s front page, click-bait about Posh Spice’s thighs merits a higher ranking than any political story.
Bea, some people have an uncanny knack of walking the walk and talking the talk, Clinton was another one who had smooze oozing out of him. Its automatic to them but its hardly a sacrifice what they are doing, nothing these people do is out of the goodness of their hearts, believe me there is motive behind it. It’s not in their DNA to actually do good things and not expect payment of some kind. The PM from the moment he wakes up is “playing to the crowds” – he adores admiration, sucks it up like a neglected child, ever see him walking the Matakana Markets – he is like royalty itself, waving and smiling – its his life blood – he needs it like oxygen. He is a Leo for God’s sake – look up what their personality is like – they have to be the centre of attention to survive, pity his poor missus is I what I say – how she fits in his life I have no idea.
But, he is as cunning as a weasel and lies like a stoat, everything he does has motive behind it – he desperately needs a legacy, he couldn’t survive without having good things written about him in history books – he is an attention seeker and a fraud. A hollow man, the poor sods in the retirement home probably thought he was a super star. They wouldn’t have a bloody clue what he gets up to. Very sad really, they probably all live in rented homes, on low wage rates and long hours and up to their hocks in debt, slaving away with difficult clients to manhandle into bed each night. Be sorry for them they don’t know any better. He has nothing to show for his life’s work so far whatever the adoring crowds think of him and he is dangerous to our country.
The higher they elevate the greater they fall – it never fails.
Apologies Rosie, but some Leo’s certainly like being the centre of attention, I have known a few of them in my life time. Social animals and crave attention – you may be the exception so once again apologies.
Lols, no apologies. I don’t think I’m in on the astrology anyway. According the zodiac map at the Aotearoa Henge in Carterton there are 13 signs, not 12. The designers of the henge believe we’re a bit off with our astrological signs.
The poll in question. Frankly i don’t know what the excitement is about. 1000 people were polled. Not really a huge sample. And again only People with Landline got the pleasure to answer. Most of the phone calls were conducted on a Monday, so I would guess that a lot of working age people were not the ones that answered. Which makes this sample of the NZ public a very small segment of the population.
National as a Party is up, but then all their allies are down. These voters are not likely to swing to Labour in the first place, and I think that the ACT/Conservatives/Peter Dunne Party (as far as mentioned in the Poll still at 1%) voters have to go somewhere. I am not venturing a guess with the Maori Party(also at 1%) members, as I can see them spread throughout the political landscape should/if/when they desert what is currently the Maori Party.
However John Key, Dear leader is down a 1%.
And up – are the undecided/confused/wont answer by 2%, now up to thirteen.
So for those that want to say that John Key is at 50% approval, sorry he ain’t. The National Party is, he is at 39%.
I also have an issue with only Landline polling as about 20-25% of the population by now would only use Mobile. (the consensus stated somewhere 80+% use of landline in 2013 and the trend is decreasing Landline use). Only calling Landline also has a fair chance of over polling a certain segment of the population, mainly those with properties owned, older and generally speaking more conservative vs Mobile phones only use seem to indicate a younger and a more transient population).
Consider as well the sampling error +-3 and frankly this poll is where the last one was.
National not moving, Labour/Greens/NZfirst shifting – especially that the same poll last month had the Greens at -4%. Are we really to believe that the Greens would just shave 4% of its voter base from one month to the next? Cause the Green Voters that I know are rather committed and would not switch to another party.
So as i said elsewhere, i need more meat on my poll. This one is the same as the last one. But it delivered the Headline needed, namely that the Flag Change did not affect the PM. How convenient for the cowardly run away PM – holidaying in Hawaii is so much more pleasant then to to answer any question re the Flag Change, the money squandered, the opportunities squandered.
Really, not worth the fear of those that despair with John Key and not worth the elation of the John Key 101st keyboard brigade.
actually no, there are a lot of things that not well with labour, and i know that.
but i will not pull my hair, clutch my pearls and bang my head for a poll that is essentially meaning less without a bit more information.
And considering that we have people here complaining about lack of information either way, either the media is too liberal or it is too rightwing, make of that what you want, i think we can all agree that having good information is something we all value.
So no I am not going tp bury my head in the sand just because there is another poll that buries the Labour party.
What you guys forget in all of that is that Labour alone will not form a government. Full stop. Right here. And you know what, it does not have too either. Welcome to the World of MMP were one or several parties can form a government.
All Labour has to do is stay steady, develop some good policies, and form a working and functioning coalition with the other opposition parties and a victory for National might not be so casually gained.
To me the poll results are such where National has to have a huge majority as it seems it has lost all its coalition partners for 2017. Having your supportive parties trending at 1% simply can’t be good. And while 36% are form him, 64% are against him. An uphill battle you may say. 🙂
All the while Labour, The Greens, NZFirst and maybe even the Maori Party could very well work out a coalition / support agreement and form a decent enough government.
And for me that is good enough. I rather have a left/centre left coalition government than another several years of the gruel we are having currently.
Winston calls for a royal commission on the foreign trusts but we get from Key ,one man as competent as he may be, the point is that govts since 1988 are responsible for this .Therefore a royal commission should be called to do this job .For one reason so we can watch the amount of money all this is going to cost but I fear Key has eroded the powers of royal commissions since he has been PM, ie I believe there is enough in Dirty politics to warrant a royal commission but we didnt get that. Key is always finding ways to short circuit in depth inquiries that will tie up his govts speedball processes but its ok to waste shit loads of time on a fuckin flag change
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The Government is making short-sighted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that will take away environmental protection in favour of short-term profits, Labour’s environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
Labour welcomes the release of the report into the North Island weather events and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that New Zealand is as prepared as it can be for the next natural disaster. ...
The Labour Party has called for the New Zealand Government to recognise Palestine, as a material step towards progressing the two-State solution needed to achieve a lasting peace in the region. ...
Some of our country’s most important work, stopping the sexual exploitation of children and violent extremism could go along with staff on the frontline at ports and airports. ...
The Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a ‘get out of jail free’ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
The government's decision to reintroduce Three Strikes is a destructive and ineffective piece of law-making that will only exacerbate an inherently biased and racist criminal justice system, said Te Pāti Māori Justice Spokesperson, Tākuta Ferris, today. During the time Three Strikes was in place in Aotearoa, Māori and Pasifika received ...
Cuts to frontline hospital staff are not only a broken election promise, it shows the reckless tax cuts have well and truly hit the frontline of the health system, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
Your Excellency Ambassador Meredith, Members of the Diplomatic Corps and Ambassadors from European Union Member States, Ministerial colleagues, Members of Parliament, and other distinguished guests, Thank you everyone for joining us. Ladies and gentlemen - In diplomacy, we often speak of ‘close’ and ‘long-standing’ relations. ...
The Therapeutic Products Act (TPA) will be repealed this year so that a better regime can be put in place to provide New Zealanders safe and timely access to medicines, medical devices and health products, Associate Health Minister Casey Costello announced today. “The medicines and products we are talking about ...
The Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, Chris Bishop, today released his decision on twenty recommendations referred to him by the Wellington City Council relating to its Intensification Planning Instrument, after the Council rejected those recommendations of the Independent Hearings Panel and made alternative recommendations. “Wellington notified its District Plan on ...
Rape Awareness Week (6-10 May) is an important opportunity to acknowledge the continued effort required by government and communities to ensure that all New Zealanders can live free from violence, say Ministers Karen Chhour and Louise Upston. “With 1 in 3 women and 1 in 8 men experiencing sexual violence ...
Associate Education Minister David Seymour has today announced that the Government will be delivering a more efficient Healthy School Lunches Programme, saving taxpayers approximately $107 million a year compared to how Labour funded it, by embracing innovation and commercial expertise. “We are delivering on our commitment to treat taxpayers’ money ...
New research on the impacts of extreme weather on coastal marine habitats in Tairāwhiti and Hawke’s Bay will help fishery managers plan for and respond to any future events, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. A report released today on research by Niwa on behalf of Fisheries New Zealand ...
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters will lead a broad political delegation on a five-stop Pacific tour next week to strengthen New Zealand’s engagement with the region. The delegation will visit Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, and Tuvalu. “New Zealand has deep and ...
There has been a material decline in gas production according to figures released today by the Gas Industry Co. Figures released by the Gas Industry Company show that there was a 12.5 per cent reduction in gas production during 2023, and a 27.8 per cent reduction in gas production in the ...
Defence Minister Judith Collins tonight announced the recipients of the Minister of Defence Awards of Excellence for Industry, saying they all contribute to New Zealanders’ security and wellbeing. “Congratulations to this year’s recipients, whose innovative products and services play a critical role in the delivery of New Zealand’s defence capabilities, ...
Welcome to you all - it is a pleasure to be here this evening.I would like to start by thanking Greg Lowe, Chair of the New Zealand Defence Industry Advisory Council, for co-hosting this reception with me. This evening is about recognising businesses from across New Zealand and overseas who in ...
It is a pleasure to be speaking to you as the Minister for Digitising Government. I would like to thank Akolade for the invitation to address this Summit, and to acknowledge the great effort you are making to grow New Zealand’s digital future. Today, we stand at the cusp of ...
New Zealand is urging both Israel and Hamas to agree to an immediate ceasefire to avoid the further humanitarian catastrophe that military action in Rafah would unleash, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “The immense suffering in Gaza cannot be allowed to worsen further. Both sides have a responsibility to ...
A new online data dashboard released today as part of the Government’s school attendance action plan makes more timely daily attendance data available to the public and parents, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. The interactive dashboard will be updated once a week to show a national average of how ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced Rosemary Banks will be New Zealand’s next Ambassador to the United States of America. “Our relationship with the United States is crucial for New Zealand in strategic, security and economic terms,” Mr Peters says. “New Zealand and the United States have a ...
The Government is considering creating a new tier of minerals permitting that will make it easier for hobby miners to prospect for gold. “New Zealand was built on gold, it’s in our DNA. Our gold deposits, particularly in regions such as Otago and the West Coast have always attracted fortune-hunters. ...
Minister for Trade Todd McClay today announced that New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will commence negotiations on a free trade agreement (FTA). Minister McClay met with his counterpart UAE Trade Minister Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi in Dubai, where they announced the launch of negotiations on a ...
New Zealand Sign Language Week is an excellent opportunity for all Kiwis to give the language a go, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. This week (May 6 to 12) is New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) Week. The theme is “an Aotearoa where anyone can sign anywhere” and aims to ...
Six tertiary students have been selected to work on NASA projects in the US through a New Zealand Space Scholarship, Space Minister Judith Collins announced today. “This is a fantastic opportunity for these talented students. They will undertake internships at NASA’s Ames Research Center or its Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), where ...
New Zealanders will be safer because of a $1.9 billion investment in more frontline Corrections officers, more support for offenders to turn away from crime, and more prison capacity, Corrections Minister Mark Mitchell says. “Our Government said we would crack down on crime. We promised to restore law and order, ...
The OECD’s latest report on New Zealand reinforces the importance of bringing Government spending under control, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The OECD conducts country surveys every two years to review its members’ economic policies. The 2024 New Zealand survey was presented in Wellington today by OECD Chief Economist Clare Lombardelli. ...
The Government has delivered on its election promise to provide a financially sustainable model for Auckland under its Local Water Done Well plan. The plan, which has been unanimously endorsed by Auckland Council’s Governing Body, will see Aucklanders avoid the previously projected 25.8 per cent water rates increases while retaining ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters discussed the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and enhanced cooperation in the Pacific with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock during her first official visit to New Zealand today. "New Zealand and Germany enjoy shared interests and values, including the rule of law, democracy, respect for the international system ...
The Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, Chris Bishop today released his decision on four recommendations referred to him by the Western Bay of Plenty District Council, opening the door to housing growth in the area. The Council’s Plan Change 92 allows more homes to be built in existing and new ...
Thank you, John McKinnon and the New Zealand China Council for the invitation to speak to you today. Thank you too, all members of the China Council. Your effort has played an essential role in helping to build, shape, and grow a balanced and resilient relationship between our two ...
The Government is modernising insurance law to better protect Kiwis and provide security in the event of a disaster, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly announced today. “These reforms are long overdue. New Zealand’s insurance law is complicated and dated, some of which is more than 100 years old. ...
The coalition Government is refreshing its approach to supporting pay equity claims as time-limited funding for the Pay Equity Taskforce comes to an end, Public Service Minister Nicola Willis says. “Three years ago, the then-government introduced changes to the Equal Pay Act to support pay equity bargaining. The changes were ...
Structured literacy will change the way New Zealand children learn to read - improving achievement and setting students up for success, Education Minister Erica Stanford says. “Being able to read and write is a fundamental life skill that too many young people are missing out on. Recent data shows that ...
Trade Minister Todd McClay says Canada’s refusal to comply in full with a CPTPP trade dispute ruling in our favour over dairy trade is cynical and New Zealand has no intention of backing down. Mr McClay said he has asked for urgent legal advice in respect of our ‘next move’ ...
The rights of our children and young people will be enhanced by changes the coalition Government will make to strengthen oversight of the Oranga Tamariki system, including restoring a single Children’s Commissioner. “The Government is committed to delivering better public services that care for our most at-risk young people and ...
The Government is making it easier for minor changes to be made to a building consent so building a home is easier and more affordable, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “The coalition Government is focused on making it easier and cheaper to build homes so we can ...
New Zealand lost a true legend when internationally renowned disability advocate Sir Robert Martin (KNZM) passed away at his home in Whanganui last night, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. “Our Government’s thoughts are with his wife Lynda, family and community, those he has worked with, the disability community in ...
Good evening – Before discussing the challenges and opportunities facing New Zealand’s foreign policy, we’d like to first acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. You have contributed to debates about New Zealand foreign policy over a long period of time, and we thank you for hosting us. ...
From today, passengers travelling internationally from Auckland Airport will be able to keep laptops and liquids in their carry-on bags for security screening thanks to new technology, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Creating a more efficient and seamless travel experience is important for holidaymakers and businesses, enabling faster movement through ...
People with an interest in the health of Northland’s marine ecosystems are invited to a public meeting to discuss how to deal with kina barrens, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones will lead the discussion, which will take place on Friday, 10 May, at Awanui Hotel in ...
Kiwi exporters are $100 million better off today with the NZ EU FTA entering into force says Trade Minister Todd McClay. “This is all part of our plan to grow the economy. New Zealand's prosperity depends on international trade, making up 60 per cent of the country’s total economic activity. ...
There are heartening signs that the extractive sector is once again becoming an attractive prospect for investors and a source of economic prosperity for New Zealand, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The beginnings of a resurgence in extractive industries are apparent in media reports of the sector in the past ...
The return of the historic Ō-Rākau battle site to the descendants of those who fought there moved one step closer today with the first reading of Te Pire mō Ō-Rākau, Te Pae o Maumahara / The Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill. The Bill will entrust the 9.7-hectare battle site, five kilometres west ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has announced 25 new high-speed EV charging hubs along key routes between major urban centres and outlined the Government’s plan to supercharge New Zealand’s EV infrastructure. The hubs will each have several chargers and be capable of charging at least four – and up to 10 ...
The coalition Government will not proceed with the previous Government’s plans to regulate residential property managers, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “I have written to the Chairperson of the Social Services and Community Committee to inform him that the Government does not intend to support the Residential Property Managers Bill ...
The Government has announced an independent review into the disability support system funded by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha. Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston says the review will look at what can be done to strengthen the long-term sustainability of Disability Support Services to provide disabled people and ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The Albanese government is talking up the crucial role of gas as a transition fuel “through to 2050 and beyond”. In a gas strategy to be released on Thursday, the government envisages the fuel’s ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Next week the government will again next try to get its legislation through to deal with non-citizens who won’t cooperate with efforts to deport them. The bill, which the opposition and crossbench refused to rush ...
A long-term project that will set out an alternative vision for Aotearoa that looks beyond the narrow confines of the policy straight jacket adopted by successive governments. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Bree Hurst, Associate Professor, Faculty of Business and Law, QUT, Queensland University of Technology TK Kurikawa/Shutterstock A much-awaited report into Coles and Woolworths has found what many customers have long believed – Australia’s big supermarkets engage in price gouging. What started ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Daniel Ghezelbash, Associate Professor and Deputy Director, Kaldor Centre for International Refugee Law, UNSW Law & Justice, UNSW Sydney The Albanese government wanted to avoid an inquiry into its migration amendment bill. The report, handed down yesterday by a senate committee that ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Joo-Cheong Tham, Professor, Melbourne Law School, The University of Melbourne Lobbying is at the heart of government. Who has access to and influence over key government officials shapes the decisions governments make – and how they make them. The ability to influence ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Myfany Turpin, Associate Professor, Ethnomusicology, Linguistics and Ethnobiology, University of Sydney The act representing Australia at this year’s Eurovision contest has sadly not qualified for the grand final. Yet for Zaachariaha Fielding and Michael Ross, the duo that makes up Electric Fields, ...
In announcing changes to the school lunches programme, David Seymour said kids would no longer be served ‘woke’ foods. To clear up any confusion, The Spinoff has compiled a guide to the wokeness levels of some common food items. Apple = NOT WOKE Avocado = WOKE Avocado, smashed = EVEN ...
The Minister Responsible for GCSB and the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security have been notified of this review, and have been provided a finalised Terms of Reference. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Minglu Chen, Senior Lecturer, Government and International Relations, University of Sydney Robert Way/Shutterstock As the past few years have illustrated so clearly, the Australia-China relationship is complicated. As such, it is crucial for Australians to develop a more nuanced understanding of ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mariana Campbell, Research Lecturer, Conservation, Charles Darwin University Marilyn Connell Australian freshwater turtles are facing an alarming trend. Almost half of these species are listed as vulnerable, endangered or critically endangered. The Mary River turtle (Elusor macrurus) is one of Australia’s ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Debbie Passey, Digital Health Research Fellow, The University of Melbourne Algorithms have become integral to our lives. From social media apps to Netflix, algorithms learn your preferences and prioritise the content you are shown. Google Maps and artificial intelligence are nothing without ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Josephine Barbaro, Associate Professor, Principal Research Fellow, Psychologist, La Trobe University Unsplash We’ve come a long way in terms of understanding that everyone thinks, interacts and experiences the world differently. In the past, autistic people, people with attention deficit hyperactive disorder ...
PNG Post-Courier Papua New Guinea’s deputy opposition leader James Nomane has accused the government of “reckless economic management” that has forced devaluation to manage loan repayments in foreign currency and placate the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Prime Minister James Marape “must stop lying to the people of Papua New Guinea”, ...
Welcome to The Spinoff Bookseller Confessional, in which we get to know Aotearoa’s booksellers. This week: Jane Arthur, author of Brown Bird, and former bookseller at Good Books.The book I wish I’d writtenI have been working on not comparing myself to others. On accepting that what I can ...
The final decision on the Wellington District Plan makes it official: High-density housing is legal across most of Wellington. Housing minister Chris Bishop has announced his decision on the Wellington District Plan, approving a series of amendments to radically upzone most of Wellington, allowing tens of thousands of new townhouses ...
Analysis by Dr Bryce Edwards – Democracy Project (https://democracyproject.nz)Political scientist, Dr Bryce Edwards. “Follow the money” is the classic directive to journalists trying to understand where power and influence lie in society. In terms of uncovering who influences various New Zealand political parties and governments, it therefore pays to ...
RNZ News As Israel presses ahead with strikes in Rafah and seizing the Rafah crossing from Egypt, aid agencies are sounding the alarm of a “catastrophic humanitarian situation”. Rafah was “significant” because it was the only part in Gaza that had not been terribly damaged by the conflict, United Nations ...
With funding set to be scrapped for the Hamilton-Auckland commuter train, Te Huia enthusiast Georgie Dansey argues for it to be thrown a lifeline. It’s 5.45am and the chain of my crappy old bike falls off slugging up the one hill in Hamilton. I contemplate yeeting the bike into the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anna Cooke, Honorary Fellow, School of the Environment, The University of Queensland We feel ecological grief when we lose places, species or ecosystems we value and love. These losses are a growing threat to mental health and wellbeing globally. We all see ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Shauna Brail, Associate Professor, Institute for Management & Innovation, University of Toronto A shift to hybrid and remote work continues to affect worker presence in Toronto’s downtown.(Shutterstock) Downtown Toronto, the core of Canada’s largest city, continues to reel from the lingering ...
Responding to an Auditor-General's report slamming failures in the administration of the 2023 General Election, Taxpayers’ Union Policy and Public Affairs Manager, James Ross, said: ...
Productivity apps now make up a big chunk of the software market. But do they work? And why do they all have AI integrations?Despite being firmly on the record as a physical planner fan, I sometimes dream of something better than my pretty diary and its scrawled, ugly, interior ...
The Taxpayers’ Union says the Beehive need to lead by example, following reports of more than $50,000 spent upgrading video conferencing equipment and furniture in the Prime Minister’s office. Taxpayers’ Union Campaign Manager, Connor Molloy, ...
An objective list of the 50 most powerful people in New Zealand, as judged by the Spinoff Editorial Board. It’s power list season, baby, and we want in on the action. Sure, there’s the rich list and the powerful “c-suite” list and the young people with power (hmmm) but here, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Thalia Anthony, Professor of Law, University of Technology Sydney ShutterstockThis article contains information on deaths in custody and the names of deceased people, and describes ongoing colonial violence towards Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. First Nations people in Australia ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alex Simpson, Senior Lecturer in Criminology, Macquarie University Netflix Baby Reindeer’s phenomenal success has much to do with its writer and lead, Richard Gadd, who plays Donny in a tender semi-autobiographical account of sexual abuse, harassment and stalking. Gadd’s story has ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Clare Collins, Laureate Professor in Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Newcastle KarolinaGrabowska/Pexels If you didn’t have food allergies as a child, is it possible to develop them as an adult? The short answer is yes. But the reasons why are much ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Paul Moon, Professor of History, Auckland University of Technology Ans Westra, self-portrait, c. 1963. National Library ref AWM-0705-F They try but invariably fail – those writers who believe they are capable of encapsulating in prose or verse the essence of ...
Stewart Sowman-Lund looks at the growing concern around the world in this extract from The Bulletin. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. What’s all this? When Covid-19 arrived on our shores in early 2020, some argued we were too slow, or crucially, ill-prepared for a pandemic. So ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Franco Montalto, Professor of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering and Director, Sustainable Water Resource Engineering Laboratory, Drexel University Water runs into a storm drain in a Los Angeles alley on Aug. 19, 2023, during Tropical Storm Hilary.Citizen of the Planet/Universal Images ...
The inquest into the death of Gore toddler Lachlan Jones has turned up a new witness who says he saw two teenagers and a small child in a high vis vest in the area where the boy’s body was found the day he died. Lachie’s body was discovered face up ...
Stories from the tenancy trenches, featuring spider infestations, cupboard rats and same-sex discrimination. Lucy’s brother was living in a damp 1930s building in Mt Eden where “he had to tie the cupboard doors closed so the rats didn’t get in”. Although he shared custody of his six-year-old son, his property ...
Simeon Brown, Chris Luxon, and Wayne Brown climbed into a hole and announced a plan to solve Auckland’s water woes. This is how it’ll work. New Zealand’s pipes are munted. They’re cracked and leaking, and struggling to handle all the extra poos excreted by our rising population. It’s a big, ...
I knew Taika Waititi quite well when he was a kid. His mother lived in a tall narrow house in Aro St, and my youngest sister had a similar house two doors along. They were both single mums, they each had a son aged seven. Taika and my nephew Stepan ...
Opinion: “As time passes, knowledge of the circumstances of the August 2016 outbreak will fade and its immediate impact will be lost.” This statement is from the 2017 report of the Official Inquiry into the Havelock North campylobacteriosis outbreak. The then National-led government established the inquiry after the outbreak left ...
Opinion: Nicholas Khoo looks at two key points in the high-stakes foreign policy pact debate – and asks if NZ can engage with as little drama as possible. The post Where to next for the Aukus ruckus? appeared first on Newsroom. ...
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Opinion: ‘Reference-class forecasting’ is at the heart of improving pricing a project and identifying the expected timeframe but it doesn’t appear to be in use here The post ‘Think fast and act slowly’ is failing big projects appeared first on Newsroom. ...
What do a sombrero in Argentina and cognitive driving tests have in common? Don’t worry, we’re not setting up a bad joke. Hinengaro Clinic dementia clinician Gregory Winkelman has the answer on today’s episode of The Detail. “We ask a patient’s spouse or son or daughter: If you went to ...
Wellington long jumper Phoebe Edwards is back and she’s having fun again. Until this year, Edwards, a top athlete in her teens, had never competed as a senior athlete in New Zealand. In March, the 26-year-old won a national long jump title in a lifetime best of 6.28m after ...
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ANALYSIS:By Olli Hellmann, University of Waikato When New Zealanders commemorate Anzac Day today on April 25, it’s not only to honour the soldiers who lost their lives in World War I and subsequent conflicts, but also to mark a defining event for national identity. The battle of Gallipoli against ...
By Robin Martin, RNZ News reporter A New Zealand local authority, Whanganui District Council, has passed a motion calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, condemnation of all acts of violence and terror against civilians on both sides of the conflict and the immediate return of hostages. It comes as ...
Asia Pacific Report The Aotearoa chapter of the Women’s International league for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) has appealed to the New Zealand government to call out Israel over the “cruel and barbaric use of force” in Gaza and demand a permanent ceasefire. The league’s open letter was sent to Prime ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The Albanese government will invest $566 million over a decade on data, maps and other tools to promote exploration and development in Australia’s resources industry. The project will fund “the first comprehensive map of what’s ...
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Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Linda J. Graham, Professor and Director of the Centre for Inclusive Education, Queensland University of Technology Ryan Tauss/ Unsplash, CC BY Two male students have been expelled from a Melbourne private school for their involvement in a list ranking female students. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Martin, Visiting Fellow, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University The Reserve Bank is now assuming Australians will see no interest rate cuts this year – and quite possibly none before the next federal election, due next May. That’s ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Hayward, Emeritus Professor of Public Policy, RMIT University The Victorian budget offered more of the same on Tuesday, with the only change being how the budget papers were packaged. The usual shrink wrap was gone, hinting at savings in the pages ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The Coalition is demanding extensive amendments to the government’s legislation targeting non-citizens who refuse to co-operate with their removal. In a dissenting report to the senate inquiry into the legislation, the Coalition says it ...
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John Key needs to immediately board a jet for Malta to explain to the people there that New Zealand is not a tax haven.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/europe/78760843/new-zealand-link-to-panama-papers-row-in-malta
And preferably never come back.
We now have a reputation among world’s scumbag multimillionaires as a soft touch easy-go tax haven
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11620120
Hows the left polling?
How’s the Dearest Leader polling? Fantastic, only he had to flip flop 360 degrees on his ‘NZs foreign trusts practices are legit-stance, move on, nothing to see here’ to saying he’ll appoint an independent expert to review the policies.
One of the ‘world’s scumbag multimillionaires’.
Great definition for Key.
John Key wanted his legacy to be to leave New Zealand with a corporate logo as its flag that would announce to the world that New Zealand Inc. was open for business.
How did the dream go so wrong?
John Key’s real legacy is to make New Zealand a safe place for corporate criminals and wealthy tax dodgers to hide their money.
Ahh.. The polls are in.
Dear leader is taking a review to parliament.
Good job this isn’t an issue that needed swift action.
I suppose this is what happens when a manager rather than a leader is running the show.
“Lets keep that review narrow and with a fellow tax avoiding crony who is linked to the Labour party. ”
“Excellent suggestion PM.”
Yup. The polls are in.
Thought the Flag was the beginning of the end for JK?
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/78754432/national-support-hits-50-per-cent-labour-and-little-fall-in-new-poll
And Little is saying he thinks the debate about the UBI is a likely factor in Labours drop.
That doesn’t surprise me at all. All of you who rushed to turn the UBI into a trojan horse for wealth re-distribution can take a bow.
One should read the comments under ones link, before one puts a link would be my guess.
Scathing of poll much?
Then a odd up down thumb ratio as well.
Seems to me when you are doing propaganda – unless you do it well. It comes across as a bare faced lie.
Can I understand this, adam? You rely on comments on the poll as more accurate than the poll itself?
It’s no wonder the Left is completely fucked.
No, not what I said.
What I said was if your going to do propaganda you had better do it well.
Which I failed at myself I see, as you have spun it to suit yourself.
Does this sum it up?
“Three years ago National led Labour by 7% in the ONCB poll. Today it is a 22% lead. Do Labour really think they are on the right path?”
Not only did Labour fall by 4%, but Peters is now at 10% for preferred PM, versus Little on 7%. He is simply failing to connect with traditional Labour voters, and showing no signs of winning back the center.
Free education and money for all failed, so where to now?
You don’t get out much do you Ben, nor read other posts?
I get out a lot, and read other posts. What’s your point Adam?
So where is it written that Andrew Little said money for all?
UBI.
Try and keep up.
UBI how in your head did that become money for all?
And when did Andrew Little support a UBI?
Do you understand what the U stands for in UBI? “Universal”, which means for all.
Was Andrew Little not floating the idea of a UBI? not policy of course. just floating it.
And when did Andrew Little support a UBI? Your answer does not add up, it seems you are spinning. A lie, even. How could anyone who supports national not tell the truth? Or twist things for their own political ends.
Quick turn the Nintendo back on, or Nessalt will come up with some comment to hate the poor with. Or tell us greed is good.
And your obvious lack of understand of what a UBI is – shows. Do you want a napkin, as you seem to be dribbling all over the keyboard?
Adam, you poor deluded sack of shit. obviously with no one to love you, you have decided to turn your vitriol to those who don’t care. annonymous commentators on the internet.
Either you really are the human incarnation of slowpoke, or you are a troll, here to make the mad left look even madder.
Please enlighten us with what you think a UBI is.
“Do you understand what the U stands for in UBI? “Universal”, which means for all.”
Universal in UBI means that everyone is eligible for financial support when they need it. It does not mean ‘money for all’.
Hmmm, no. it means a universal benefit. obviously taking it is optional. Seeing as you plan to sting me 50-70% of my earnings to pay for it being universal, i’m going to take it however. as will all. as that’s what happens with these things.
weka, back to spinning for labour as if his sad life depended on it.
None of the models I have looked at give money in hand to everyone. Please link to the model you are referring to that does.
My comment isn’t making a point about Labour. Don’t tell lies about me or my views.
Nessalt,
I’m not surprised at your smug hateful rant, you could try to be at least a wee bit funny with it.
Like pulling your phallus out and comparing sizes, I pretty sure at this point – mine is way bigger than yours. Or maybe you could try exercising a modicum of dignity when jumping in on a comment stream. Too soon?
Again – what is a UBI? Apart from the obvious paranoid delusions you showed when ranting at weka. That mode of crazy not-happy freaking about mythical tax rates. The Fox News porn star, who only has time for themselves. Ever wondered why we call your ilk, RWNJ?
Or are we going to get back to picking on people by calling them crazy, you seem good at that. Like kicking the poor when they are down. Bet you not so secretly hate single mothers, and absolutely love section with 70a.
I’d be amiss Nessalt to leave out that I have much love in my life. That is just one the joys of being a Christian, and a person who works for and in the community. I see self indignant wreaks like you all the time, give up the hate son, and let love into your heart.
All this supposes that the poll is not a complete fabrication.
There have been an abundance of scandals since the flag debacle – by selective questioning it’s perfectly possible to pretend that the flag had no effect on Key. But the people in Key’s own camp who deserted him over this issue are significant – even if they don’t show up in a fake statistical vehicle designed to attack Andrew Little. They’re taking a second look at Winston and saying ‘God I hate him – but he’s better than Key.’
But it’s the TPP that has really dented John – and it won’t go away as the costs are up front and the supposed benefits won’t kick in till 2030. When Key brays about his surplus this year, and borrowing reaches $150 billion to support the fiction even Key’s clowns will be starting to notice the gilt paint is flaking off their little tin pot dictator.
with comments like that i’m going to buy shares in tin foil manufacturers.
On another note, good to see you not threatening violence today. back on the meds? doctors do know best you see
Given that the poll – with no measures of accuracy – was immediately weaponized by the MSM to attack Little’s leadership – we need not regard it as anything but a fascist ploy.
One might just as easily have constructed a story about the Gnats dumping Key for his involvement in illegal and dishonest tax constructs – and it would have no basis in fact either – this generation of Gnats being crookeder than anything outside of prison, neither dishonesty nor tax cheating trouble them at all. But they trouble the public.
Better that the MSM publish polls without comment and leave the speculative attacks to scum-sucking vermin like Farrar and Slater.
I know that as a RWNJ you’re preternaturally stupid, but current technology doesn’t allow anyone to reach through and kick your worthless ass as yet.
All this supposes that the poll is not a complete fabrication.
Have a lie down.
In the more than fifty years that I’ve been following NZ politics my landline has never been polled. Selective much? And who polices neutrality = no-one.
There is a measurable political opportunity just lying there for any pollster unscrupulous enough to simply lie through their teeth.
Perhaps Key setting up NZ as a tax haven for rich criminals and other people just like himself has made him more popular in the polls ???????
Or perhaps they were taken before the latest revelations about dishonest john and the type of laws he actually makes on our behalf.
Personally I think key is walking on a tightrope made slippery with his own shit on this issue ……… I hope he does not slip 😉 .
I also think that Mark Mitchell could be his next ‘go to expert’ and fill the role vacated by his other expert Mike Sabin.
I see great things for national this term …………………..
How sure are you that labour voters where asked and in which numbers.
I had a look at the breakdown of the poll, and guess what it does state nowhere that the questions asked where answered by selfidentified labour/national/nzfirst/green voters, they were answered by voters. They might all have been National/ex conservative/exact/expeterdunneparty/exmaoriparty voters. you would actually not know.
all the poll says is that of a sample of 1000 people polled on a landline on a monday 7% preferred Little. 39% said they preferred JK – that would have both of them down compared to the last poll and 10% said winston, a full 13% gave no answer.
Nope, hasn’t been long enough and the majority in a NZHerald online poll of people actually supported it. Same as it hasn’t been long enough for National’s inaction and probable culpability on the Panama Paper to make a change.
The UBI isn’t about wealth redistribution – capitalism is as it redistributes the nations wealth to the rich.
Hmmm.
So the likely coalition of opposition parties is within a couple of percent of the government over a year out from the election, and nz1’s gains in the rural electorates seem to be pretty solid.
But in most little tories I’ve known, a firm handshake and confident outlook is often used to compensate for actual achievement or skill. Nothing new, really.
The ‘likely’ opposition coalition is sitting on 38%, the current Govt. coalition 52%, and Winnie is 5% off the balance of power.
I think you missed the bit last week where Winnie made it clear he was not part of any ‘opposition coalition’ McFlock.
just like how he said that the post-1996 election govt wouldn’t be a national government.
And actually, he’s only 2% off the balance of power. I’m sure he’ll get that in rural votes after a few more months of fucked milk prices.
He mightn’t be part of an ‘opposition coalition’ at the moment, the question is whether he’ll be part of a government coalition after the election. And he can see which way the wind is blowing, and it’s away from Key.
But then, you’re a pointless mouthpiece sucking off the current regime, so whatever…
You have noted Winnie and Don Brashes recent romance McFlock?
You are aware of his stance on Maori/Treaty issues?
You have heard what he has said about the Greens financial policies?
And you did get his firm denial last week that there would be any kind of shared platform between NZF and The Labour/Greens last week?
And at this point he wouldn’t even be needed by JK…..
If that’s a wind blowing against him, then that straw you are clutching must be a log.
What’s JK’s preferred pm rating again? 39%? Didn’t you bastards used to keep saying it was around 60%? Try that wind on for size. Or you can choose to focus solely on Labour’s results and pretend it’s a two-horse race.
At 50 to 28, and 39 to 7 it’s stretching it to call it a race at present McFlock.
The Left are running the perfect race and JK is running into a strong headwind. What ever happens. Don’t change the plan.
The relevant comparison isn’t between Key and Little, it’s between Key and the National party’s polling. The former, going by this poll, is at 39%, not enough to prop up the latter if it heads even slightly south. Key is no longer in a position to boost National’s polling greatly. His fortunes hold or crumble with those of the party, not the other way around. This poll is in the realms of “too close to call”, not a comfortable win for National.
You’ve got an FPP IQ in an MMP environment, sheepie.
FPP would be another story altogether McFlock. Going by the electorate seats results at the last election, The Nats would be governing alone with a massive majority, and heading for the same situation next time around…..
That’s why I was a very early and energetic campaigner for the move to MMP.
At that stage I was convinced that MMP would destroy the Nat’s. If you’d told me then what the situation in 2016 would be I would have never believed it….
cool story, bro.
There is still 28% that think unions taking money from low paid workers so highly paid Labour party politicians don’t need to spend their own money campaigning. Wow, lessons from history are completely ignored by that many people ?
Two straw men in the same sentence, burt. You’re on fire!
“Wow, lessons from history are completely ignored by that many people ?”
You can say that again and that is why we are all suffering under this neo shit. Correction all except the 1%
We are all suffering except the 1% and that’s why 50% of us would vote for the Neo Libs Nats to stay in power, and another 35% would vote for parties that will only tinker slightly with the current paradigm.
Think about it.
Yep, we’ve all been lied to for so long by the bludging, theiving rich that we’re don’t recognise the truth any more.
The lost sheep certainly doesn’t.
It must be so frustrating to be one of the few who know the real truth, and yet not be able to open the eyes of the poor stupid masses who lack your powers of perception!
What can be done in a world so full of easily deceived idiots eh?
sarc.
Honest John skewered by Guyon this morning. Honest John, preferred PM, riding high in the polls sounded like he was choking on his own tongue. Obviously lying through his teeth, his speech was virtually indecipherable. So he has had money in a blind trust in Singapore, divulged when questioned closely, with a nervous titter, but dodged any further questions in the same vein. All the rest……. don’t know, haven’t been advised, have to ask IRD, etc, etc. The man is a shameful horror.
At least someone had a go at him henry came out from under the desk wiping his chin after his interview with key this am.
It just doesn’t fly that we have a PM who so readily and repeatedly tells us that he knows nothing about so much. So what is it that he does know that he’s hiding ?
He worked in Singapore. His employer had a super scheme. It is a trust. So, he has an interest in an off shore trust. But I’m not sure why we need to get excited about that.
It’s Key’s MO – secret trusts and tax evasion are his hallmarks. You’re right there’s nothing to get excited about yet though – but it’s not because Key isn’t a crook, but because the proof hasn’t surfaced yet.
Of course, as a far-right tr0ll, you’re comfortable with crimes of dishonesty, drug-dealing and paedophilia, but these are not qualities that most kiwis consider desirable in a leader.
Secret trusts and tax evasion? Fuck are you talking about? He was part of his employer’s super scheme.
Because the ’employer’ specializes in instruments which bankrupted entire nations
The blind trust are where they hide the ill gotten gains being referred to as a ‘super scheme’
It’s a scheme alright….
Weak diversionary tactics…. best you phone in for backup
No. Blind trusts are set up by politicians so that they do not know what their assets are invested in. In this way the decisions they make are not impacted by the assets they own.
Why shouldn’t he participate in his employer’s super scheme? Is this rule going to be applied to everyone?
No. Blind trusts are set up by politicians so that they do not know what their assets are invested in. In this way the decisions they make are not impacted by the assets they ow
…….and the assets were never ‘impacted’ by the decisions…….yeah right !
It’s Key’s MO – secret trusts and tax evasion are his hallmarks.
Remember Mike Williams was tipped off a few years back about something dodgy involving Key and during the course of a visit to Aussie he did some digging. He didn’t find what he was looking for, but you can be sure there’s plenty of evidence of dodgy deals etc. somewhere. Sooner or later something is likely to emerge from the Panama Papers that will leave a clue as to the whereabouts of this evidence.
If Labour want to prove they have what it takes they will throw everything at it when the time comes. Winston Peters owes much of his longevity to the Winebox papers. He never gave up, and I’m one of those who admired him for his tenacity. So, come on Labour… stop being shrinking violets and show some guts.
I remember it well. It was embarrassing in the extreme for Labour.
If they were smart, they would not do what they did and scream “This might be big” only to discover there is nothing.
The problem is that they are not smart.
My recollection it was the pro Nat. MSM toadies who did all the screaming – as per Crosby/Textor instructions.
covered in some detail here
http://thestandard.org.nz/the-h-fee-explained/
and here
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/vote-08/news/695248/Labour-trawls-for-Key-smear
Interesting. Thanks for that tfh.
Hahaha. The Singapore employer’s super is a deliberate red herring that is meant to distract. JK offers that up and, well, of course, that will be found to be kosher but not others that will remain hidden and not disclosed.
Honest John-61% don’t want him as PM.
93% for the angry one.
Trump?
The Hank Hill impersonator.
Can’t match your familiarity with second rate US comic characters – he’s not angry though. You’re mixing your memes – did you lose your instructions?
Hank Hill is honest, hard working, family loving & humble, nice comparison!
Gerry Brownlee?
More secret shares?
Is UK Prime Minister David Cameron now mortally wounded and about to become a vulture picked-over political carcass?
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/david-cameron-face-public-grilling-7728437
“David Cameron will have a humiliating public grilling
Shamefaced David Cameron faces a public grilling over his personal tax affairs amid questions about a second secret stash of shares worth £72,000.
The under-fire Prime Minister will make a humiliating statement to Parliament after his tax returns showed he secretly sold off another huge tranche of shares in 2010 alongside the £31,000 stake in his dad’s offshore fund.
Downing Street is refusing to say which other investment funds or private firms the PM held a stake in – and if any more of them were based in dodgy tax havens.
…..”
_________________________________
Penny Bright
2016 Auckland Mayoral candidate.
On RNZ news this morning , the PM, when questioned about would he be prepared to declare his tax details to the public like David Cameron had just to let the people know he didn’t have any dodgy deals, he said “he certainly would not do that”. He has always tried to explain that the Government Spying Agency isn’t harmful if you have nothing to hide. Well, this explains it quite plainly, that the PM has tax matters that are dodgy and he does have something to hide. You can’t have a bob both ways. The whole situation stinks to high heaven and how on earth he still gets high ratings in the polls stinks too. They have to be rigged, nothing else for it. We may be stupid in NZ but nobody is that stupid that they could keep voting his popularity so highly, unless we are a nation of crooks and enjoy wallowing in the corruption that is going on. I just hope that the Government isn’t going to be the one to set the Terms of Reference for this “so called” enquiry the PM says he “may” set up. Beggars belief.
He certainly will tell is his pissing in the shower habits but not his money habits. One of these things is not like the other…. nothing to hide, right?
Although I reckon what he fears is the public reaction when the charity to which he donates his salary is revealed. He’ll have the other stuff covered.
It’s because it would show that either he hasn’t donated any of his salary to charity, or that he has and the charity is named “The National Party”.
i think you are on to something here.
‘
^^^ BINGO!
The question of the PM’s potential dodgy tax free dealings could just turn into a side show of the bigger issue – NZ as a tax haven is HIS baby.
http://thestandard.org.nz/key-changed-the-law-to-turn-nz-into-a-tax-haven/
He will always be able to fudge his way through an investigation into his own affairs but he should RESIGN for the major part he played in introducing a law that isn’t in the interest of NZer’s, and is harmful to the functioning of our society due to lost tax revenue.
The poverty that tax dodgers create around the globe is criminal. Our PM is complicit in preventing tax funds going to the people that need it most. While poverty increases in NZ so does the wealth of those not paying tax in our country.
Stand Down Key.
And a song to go with it. Apologies for double posting
Good to see Standardistas fighting the fights of the 1980s. Makies a change form the 1930s.
It worked for the Icelandics.
You lot are funny
That PM has become a colander with falling on his petard that many times, not much blood tho, is it human. 👿
I would not pay to much attention to the polls, unless and until the pollster divulge how they achieved their results.
If the government were to set up an inquiery into the shady dealings of NZ TaxHaven Inc. they would give it 5 days and announce they found nothing.
Also my oracle tells me that a full 105% of the population will vote National next time around and until the Kingdom comes.
Nicky Hager, if you looking on please, we need you. Get in touch with that international consortium of journalists and start doing your thing. You have your notes and computer back, this country needs you badly right now. Keep safe.
Will name suppression be lifted at the conclusion of the trial?
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/regional/301159/prominent-nzer's-indecency-trial-draws-to-a-close
The case is under strict name suppression……..MAINLY to protect the girls.
it seems that someone at the NZ Herald is less then impressed?
But to answer your question, props not.
Very hard to get convictions for people who are well connected and above the law and with plenty of money for top lawyers.
Not sure justice will be done here.
poor girls.
Tell that to Doug Graham and Bill Jeffries.
Tip of the iceberg.
nope.
don’t think so and i think the last line of the article gives it away.
‘The case is under strict name suppression MAINLY TO PROTECT THE GIRLS.
Mainly….meaning also to protect the alleged offender, and any public body the prominent NZ’ler may work with?
If found guilty then I hope no more details of the offending and the victims is allowed plus I hope the offender is named
If found not guilty then all details of everyone involved should be suppressed
In Scottish law they have a verdict of ‘not proven’. This indicates that ‘we know very well you’ve done something, but the evidence is insufficient thus far’. NZ culture is more Scots descended than English.
have always liked that quirk of Scottish law
I would like to see that brought in here, I get the feeling a lot of not guilty types would find themselves not proven instead…David Bain for example
Bain – the police involved should be sacked they screwed up so badly – There’s a precedent in NZ law about circumstatial evidence that should be taken as disproved when there’s an abundance of physical evidence that fails to support the case. Christchurch creche thing was probably worse in terms of actual lack of evidence.
Yes. Peter Ellis deserves compensation and an apology, hes been let down horribly by National and Labour.
Agree with you there PR, Ellis deserves compensation!
Agree Ellis was innocent.
+1
hang on stuart..
“the police involved should be sacked they screwed up so badly “,
you aren’t suggesting that violence travel up the hierarchy, are you?
as happens time and time again, responsibility isn’t for the rich or powerful.
Competence issues.
Can’t leave them in their jobs if they can’t manage a crime scene.
Don’t judge them by today’s standards, it was twenty-odd years ago.
Shit sometimes isn’t black and white.
There’s been a bit too much of that kind of crap with the Dunedin cops over the years. They know it too.
Whatever, dude.
Depends on if permanent name suppression is sort and granted. That probably depends on how the jury rule, the sentence, and if leave for appeal is requested.
Ok, Ta Lynn.
What the bet this won’t be on the evening news.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/301147/thousands-on-hold-over-surgery
And if it is, the spin and lies will be so profound as to make the story meaningless.
Wait, here comes The Gormless Fool formerly known as Oleolebiscuitbarrell to spin it before then.
Key to Parliament: We will wait to join international coalition on trusts
Woodhouse to media: We will wait to join international coalition on trusts
Key to RNZ: We may appoint an independent expert
hmm…….backdown? For Key and Cameron a week in politics is….
Perhaps we could also look at other trusts, like say Aldgate & Whitechapel.
I merely asked a couple of questions.
Here’s another, why did Labour oppose it?
[BLiP: More derail – moved to Open Mike]
So …
No comments about the latest Poll ???
Hahaha
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/78754432/national-support-hits-50-per-cent-labour-and-little-fall-in-new-poll
Don’t worry I’ll do it for them:
The only poll that counts is on election day
This poll only takes in landline phones/mobile phones/computers therefore poor people are excluded from the poll
The media is in the pay of National
DIRTY POLITICS
Soon the people of NZ will understand that John Key is the spawn of Satan
The missing million
Winston Peters is in a coalition of the left
and best of all…the right fear Andrew Little
The Right do fear Little – even now Key and Donghwa Liu will be cooking up some piece of tripe for their MSM toadies to stick on Little like the Liu letter on Cunliffe.
We should prepare something similarly discrediting for the traitor Key – if his trusts don’t provide conclusive evidence of criminality before the election.
You forgot all it needs is for labour to go far left and then all those flexible center voters will go with them as they just don’t want national lite, likewise the missing million will get out to vote, The CV and Paul doctrine
Not true at all – Labour only needs to return to the centre – where the moderate centrists like Bernie Sanders, Paul Krugman and Robert Reich are.
I still think we should have a few far lefties though, to put the fear of God and gulags into career criminals like Key, Shipley, Talley and yourself. With greater roles, greater responsibilities – Stealing public assets is ample reason to incarcerate an MP for life without parole.
Must of missed it. The post is rather long, thus I asked a couple of questions.
It has nothing to do with Labour not having the numbers. It was in regards to Labour making National aware of this very concern.
If they did, then National was aware, but allowed the change regardless.
And this is the crux of it if you want to successfully pin the blame on them.
[BLiP: More derail – moved to Open Mike]
National have previously been informed by both the IRD working party AND were also warned in the OECD report in 2013…..but obviously saw no need to heed that advice as things were operating exactly as intended
Well if that is the case and National were fully aware of the consequence, then National are to blame.
It’s the 0.1% serving the interests of the 0.1%.
People are acting as if this is historically unusual or surprising.
Really, BLiP?
Play fair.
“Labour opposed it because they were for it?”
Why would they oppose it if they were for it?
Now try explaining that.
[BLiP: Attempted derail – moved to Open Mike]
See 20.1 BLiP
Scalps so far –
Prime Minister of Iceland Sigmundur Davíð Gunnlaugsson
President of Transparency Chile Gonzalo Delaveu
CEO of Hypo Landesbank Vorarlberg Michael Grahammer (Austria)
FIFA Ethics Committee Member Juan Pedro Damiani (Uruguay)
BN AMRO Bank Board Member Bert Meerstadt (Netherlands)
How many Americans have been exposed so far ?
Its been reported that there are unlikely to be many Americans who have used this Panamanian law firm because they have plenty of dodgy companies of their own they can use.
Perhaps, given the history, Americans think stashing their ill-gotten gains in a Central American country isn’t a particularly good idea.
And a tax treaty.
http://www.reuters.com/article/usa-tax-fatca-idUSL2N0HN15T20130927
And this.
Mathew Ingram Verified account
@mathewi
Editor of Süddeutsche Zeitung responded to the lack of U.S. individuals in the documents, saying “Just wait for what is coming next”
https://twitter.com/mathewi/status/716771686482202625
Intriguing; I wonder whether it has anything to do with the US Presidential Elections – in politics timing is everything.
When do we get Key’s scalp – for his role in setting up NZ in 2011 as a tax haven?
“Labour voted against it. Seems pretty straightforward to me.”
On what grounds did they oppose it?
BLiP: Attempted derail – moved to Open Mike
[lprent: Banned 2 weeks for persistent attempts to run diversions on a post. ]
No. It wasn’t, BLiP.
The grounds on which Labour opposed it was the crux of the discussion.
Was it on the grounds that it would make NZ a tax haven? Thus, making National aware of this?
Yes, ask the hard questions mate. If hoping some how linking John Key to Panama papers is Labour’s winning strategy, I can’t see Labour returning to power for at least another two terms. This is the kind of attitude, tax and spend policies have driven former Labour voters like me away from Labour. Still they won’t learn and that is the sad part.
[BLiP: Concern trolling – plus assuming that The Standard is involved in Labour’s strategy. VERY close to a ban. Moved to Open Mike.]
[lprent: Add your handle in some form when moderatimg please. Good call otherwise. This twerp ticks all of the boxes for a stupid concern troll. Personally I’d have just banned him/her for their parrot stupidity. ]
This is the kind of attitude, tax and spend policies have driven former Labour voters like me away from Labour.
Nope .. you’re a National party voter. They’re the natural home of sociopaths who parasite on the ‘tax and spend’ the rest of us normal people are happy to pay as the price of ‘civilisation’.
QFT
National works on the principle that money should flow to them and their rich mates from the poor and set up the economy to do just that.
And then there is this:
http://www.theguardian.com/news/commentisfree/2016/apr/10/money-offshore-corrupt-democracy-political-influence
Salon.com on why the rich are different to us mere mortals
http://www.salon.com/2016/04/06/lessons_of_the_panama_papers_yes_the_rich_are_different_from_us_they_stole_our_money/
+1
The rich are only rich because they constantly steal from everyone else.
That’s a lie
No, it’s not as all the evidence shows.
That’s what the Panama Papers are – proof of theft by the rich. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
Being rich is, essentially, proof that you’re a thief.
See, I actually know how to become rich and it’s got nothing to do with me working hard and everything to do with me taking from as many people as possible. It comes down to the saying: A little bit here, a little bit there and pretty soon your talking serious money.
The rich steal little amounts from everyone to become rich. We used to call it usury and banned it but the powerful bribed the pope to allow it back a few centuries ago and now we’ve got a society that based almost entirely around theft.
This has to be the funniest comment of the day (sorry Adam)
“See, I actually know how to become rich and it’s got nothing to do with me working hard and everything to do with me taking from as many people as possible.”
🙂
Understood, you understand what I said and, because you can’t argue with it, revert to standard RWNJ ad hominem.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11619772
Rodney Hide on fire:
Now Helen Clark has teamed up with Key for her tilt at the UN’s top job.
That must rankle.
It’s not just Key endorsing Clark. It’s Clark endorsing Key. They are now a team who talk and strategize. They are Richie McCaw and Dan Carter after the top prize.
Labour under Clark was disciplined, cohesive and competent. Labour under Clark won three elections and the trust of middle voters. Little is the fourth Labour leader since her departure and the party still lacks the drive and traction she provided. Labour appears unfit for Opposition, let alone Government.
That last line by itself is gold: Labour appears unfit for Opposition, let alone Government.
This from the same man who used to attack Helen Clark as a she-devil intent on destroying democracy in this country.
As my partner says, “Give that man a microphone, he’s so funny”.
That is true but its also not a bad line as lines go
A link to a Rodney Hide load of dribble!
No more credible than your usual whalespew link, drunkish.
No no I assure you that is a link to a proper Rodney Hide article
Careful fender, Puckish Rogue loves rolling around in his own mud.
The fact of the matter is it’s been a bad few weeks for this national government, and the only option the have is to lie. And of course they will reach for the big lie.
Funny I don’t know anyone who takes rodney hide seriously after his abuse of the public purse.
And truly odd, that act party hacks taking the led, must be the national party know they can’t front anything – otherwise they will look like the lying cretonnes they are.
it’s been a bad few weeks for this national government
And yet they lead the opposition by more than they did at the same point in their second term.
Oh look, we have a PM who lies, and PM who likes to pull young women hair,a national party that lost a referendum, a national party who reaches for corporate money, a national party who aids and abets criminals. A national party who is happy to rip apart this country for power. A national party who are happy to keep on hurting the poor.
But I’m wrong, because you can produce a poll of people – who will vote.
Grow up The Gormless Fool formerly known as Oleolebiscuitbarrell, it’s like talking to a two year old. The world is a bit more complex that your one liners.
Keep up the sneering, the smugness and the putting down of all who question that the self interested in this country do not speak for us all.
Keep believing that creating a divided nation is good for your children, and your children’s children.
If the polls mean anything – that to many of the people who support this national government, are self interested and self absorbed to the point of being amoral. Or let me put that in much simpler terms.
To many people who support this national government are but the tools of the deceiver.
So much irony in one comment there adam. you spouted off seven one-liners, then told ole gormy to grow up and not spout one-liners, Then spouted off 5 more one line slogans.
learn the difference between to and too as well, it makes reading your gibberish more painful than it needs to be.
I’ma gonna call MUPHRy!.
Yes absolutely Labour is going well and National is doing poorly (according to Labours internal polls which are never, ever published) so whatever you do not change what Labour is doing.
Andrew Little just needs some more time for the voters to get to know him…
🙂
If nothing else works, again with the big lie ah Puckish Rogue. Everyone one on the standard is a labour party supporter.
Grow up.
The opposition is made up of a few parties, just in case you missed what a parliament looks like in M.M.P democracy.
So in the real world, the opposition is not just labour, and the next PM may not be the leader of the labour party.
I’m a lefty who says you and your ilk can’t stop lying and face the hard truth. You have lost the support of the majority of the population, and that was a while ago. The labour party have not picked up that support, and as an anti-authoritarian democrat I’m happy about that also.
It’s not a world of your simplistic spun duality Puckish Rogue, and when ever you grow up and face that reality – I look forward to having an adult discussion.
“If nothing else works, again with the big lie ah Puckish Rogue.”
– You don’t quite seem to grasp that , for John Key, it is working, it is working, really, really well.
“The opposition is made up of a few parties, just in case you missed what a parliament looks like in M.M.P democracy.”
– Yes, the parties that have let John Key win three elections so far and looking good for a fourth
“So in the real world, the opposition is not just labour, and the next PM may not be the leader of the labour party.”
– NZ under MMP is still strongly influenced by FFP thinking and if Labour ever want a sniff of power then they need to well above 30% come election time otherwise they’re going to be subjected to the will and whim of Winston Peters
“I’m a lefty who says you and your ilk can’t stop lying and face the hard truth. You have lost the support of the majority of the population, and that was a while ago. The labour party have not picked up that support, and as an anti-authoritarian democrat I’m happy about that also”
– I can say that until John Keys lose an election then the majority do support him
“It’s not a world of your simplistic spun duality Puckish Rogue, and when ever you grow up and face that reality – I look forward to having an adult discussion.”
– That you seem incapable of understanding the political realities of NZ leads me to suggest that: pot, kettle, black
– I can say that until John Keys lose an election then the majority do support him
That is a lie. Out right, are you saying that every one not voting supports this national government?
– That you seem incapable of understanding the political realities of NZ leads me to suggest that: pot, kettle, black
Thanks for proving my point
– You don’t quite seem to grasp that , for John Key, it is working, it is working, really, really well.
So you are happy for our society being destroyed, and the poor being ground down. And the culture of greed and naval gazing wins.
But again, you frame things to suit yourself. And don’t answer my questions so are you working for the deceiver? Or do you just worship him?
– NZ under MMP is still strongly influenced by FFP thinking and if Labour ever want a sniff of power then they need to well above 30% come election time otherwise they’re going to be subjected to the will and whim of Winston Peter
What does the sentence even mean? Gibberish or a new lie?
That is a lie. Out right, are you saying that every one not voting supports this national government?
It’s a vote for the status quo, otherwise you’d be out voting.
if not voting is a vote for the status quo why do the nats chase reducing voter turnout as a strategy?
no one – you me or anyone else, can claim to know why someone didnt vote or what that means
Well apparently the missing million voters didn’t vote because Labour aren’t left enough… 🙂
Puckish Rogue, again with the lies. Let me remind you again, this is not a labour party web site.
Thanks Adam I hadn’t noticed that 🙂
I call BS BM
Check out the comments fender, pretty much all call out Rodney Hydes BS. I didn’t bother reading the Hyde piece, why would I bother.
Patience…..
There’s one other little Mossack Fonseca connection in New Zealand, not obviously connected to foreign trusts, that will get special attention in a forthcoming post.
http://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2016/03/mossack-fonseca-the-new-zealand-connection.html
OK, this has happened, and yes the rich have found another free ride.
BUT, and I’m going to say this till I’m blue in the face, we know the economic system is corrupt, stop talking about it and organise!
Who cares, seriously, bigger fish to fry, and other things to get done. This is just another distraction from the facts:
People are homeless
The poor, if housed are sleeping on the floor
This economic system is destroying our world
Disabled people are dying needless deaths
Wages are flat-lining
The lowest 25% pay the most tax, relativity
Regressive taxation is evil and anyone who supports it, is in the service of the deceiver
Poverty is growing
The rich are never satisfied with their wealth, and always want more.
This list could go on, and I’m sure people can add to it.
The reality is, the Tory scum hate the poor, and love the rich. How many times do you need to be told this?
Keep the message simple. This national government enables criminals and the already rich to hide their money. News flash we already knew this!
So stop going over and over on the blame game – get out there and organise!
[BLiP: Off Topic comment now turning into derail. Moved to Open Mike.]
@Adam – in order to redistribute wealth we need to get the super rich to pay their share. This is very important stuff. If the left keep going after the declining middle class for taxes then they start voting right. By identifying that the super rich and in particular foreign super rich and/or criminals are using our laws to hide money under a law Key directly passed himself, then it does two things.
1/ identifies Key is one who is for the 0.001% and to help foreigners hide money in NZ
2/ Finds unpaid taxes from the super rich 0.001% and then can redistribute back to ripped off Kiwis.
How about a Law, like for drugs where those found profiting from their ill gotten gains gets all their assets seized by the government? Would love to see Key and co’s wealth given back to the people he stole it from.
At least we can pretty much guarantee that Little, Cunliffe, Turei and Shaw will not have foreign ‘trusts’ and tax havens in their past! They are honest politicians!
Don’t think we can say that from Key, Mitchell and Collins and probably most of the rest of the National party.
So saveNZ, getting back to what I said – can I ask what you are doing to organise people to either be opposed to this? Or are you organising something else, part of anything else?
I agree, it’s happening in NZ, and this national government have become overt enablers. It happen else were, but quite frankly I’m more interested in people’s needs. Like beds, food and healthy roof over their heads. I find this a distraction, we should let legal minds fight out. Whilst we work on improving things.
“The reality is, the Tory scum hate the poor, and love the rich. How many times do you need to be told this? ”
Yeah I think you’ll find that the majority of NZers that voted National aren’t Tory scum that hate the poor and wouldn’t like being labelled like that
Let’s see, 36% of NZers voted for national, half of that is 18%… you reckon that we have a government like this even though the proportion of tory scum in NZ is less than one in five?
Fairly bleak worldview, that – we’re all slaves to the most manipulative, sociopathic, small-minded fifth of the nation…
You’ve convinced me with your argument, you should contact all left wing MPs to get the message out and tell it to all that:National voters are poor-hating tory scum
It’ll cause a huge upswing in the polls for the left for sure
Hey, I was just following your math.
Personally, I reckon only about a quarter or a third of the country are fuckwits, but at least that means that our system is vaguely democratic. You’re the one who argued that we have a tax-haven-making, waterway-shitting, resource-stripping, carbon-puking, poverty-bludgeoning government of sociopaths and [details suppressed by the courts] despite the majority of people who voted for those pricks being quite nice and normal.
That might be a better message to give to the media just so the left don’t come across as too unhinged:
“I reckon only about a quarter or a third of the country are fuckwits”
Just using you as the template 😉
Tell you what: if the nats campaigned honestly on their policies of stripping NZ resources for sale overseas, watching NZers die young, and leaving what remains as a toxic wasteland, then the Left should campaign on the slogan that anyone who votes for the nats is a selfish, stupid piece of shit.
I’ve no idea what the polls would be, but at least the only bullshit will be in our waterways if you pricks win again.
Poor Puckish Rogue, do you not like being called a Tory scum bag. Who has no empathy, nor any compassion.
And you are lying again Puckish Rouge, where is that majority of New Zealanders who voted Tory? I see no overwhelming Tory mandate by society.
Tory is what Tory is Puckish Rouge, I can’t be held responsible for the utter lack of humanity, or just plan decency of the people they elect. That when you hurt people by being ideologically rigid – I get to call you scum.
But go on, no doubt you will frame the debate away again…
Here we go, oh wait Labour did it too…
And yes they did.
I’m convinced by your argument, you just need to get the message out to the rest of NZ telling all National voters that
Its a sure fire vote winner 🙂
The default Tory response.
Smug
Four election wins on the trot does tend to make one smug I admit
Back to the crack pipe Puckish Rogue, I can get you help for that if you need it.
Save this page and after the next election we’ll see who’s right
Hahahaha, one day you might understand my politics, but I doubt it.
Last week I observed John Key on a visit to Hamilton where he spent time in a very posh retirement home.
The interesting part of the visit to me was the reception he got from the cleaning, catering and carer staff. It ranged from delighted to rapturous, with one of the carers giving him a hug before he left.
Key made a point of talking with the cleaners and cooks showing what seemed like genuine interest and friendliness and patiently posed for selfies.
It was a bit like a visit from a rock star.
What is the secret of his appeal? When he left everyone was smiling and excitedly telling about what he had said to them.
‘
Hahahahahahaha!! Good one.
I consider the Hawthorne effect may have a bearing on this. While various summaries of it differ, I think its main results arise from the aspect of having friendly interest taken in people who are workers in unrewarding jobs. This interest gives them pleasure and a rare feeling of respect and affirmation and is received enthusiastically.
Google heading –
What is Hawthorne effect? definition and meaning
http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/Hawthorne-effect.html
Definition of Hawthorne effect: Observation that employee motivation is affected as much or more by recognition and show of concern, as it is by improvements in …
‘
You’re assuming Bea Brown’s anecdote is true but, just for fun, lets assume it might be. In that case, I tend to agree; it will be some sort of manifestation of social ill-ease rather than any kind of display of affection or respect for John Key. It might even be as simple as the staff enjoying a few moments away from their duties, a brief respite from the drudgery of their zero-hour minimum-wage situation.
Hahahaha, that is a worrie, Hey Bea did you have your hand out as well, count all your fingers.
You think that’s funny? You’ll love this then: http://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/201/04/latest_poll-36.html
Its a real hoot:
It is almost half way through National’s third term, so it is useful to compare it to the same poll halfway through National’s second term.
In April 2013 National was at 43% and Labour 36% – a 7% gap.
In April 2016 National is at 50% and Labour 28% – a 22% gap.
This is the lowest Labour has been since the election, and also the highest National has been. And taken after the flag referendum which Labour were convinced would damage National, so they opposed change against their own policy. Nice outcome guys.
Key Little is also at 7% Preferred Prime Minister. This is the lowest for a Labour Leader since May 2010. He is now 3% behind Peters.
Labour said in December 2014 their aim was to be polling at 40% by the end of 2015. It’s April 2016 and they’re in the 20s.
If I was a Labour MP, I’d be asking what exactly do they think will change in the next 18 months, so it isn’t a repeat of the last 18 months?
This is the third time today you have harped on about polls. Really, who cares. Only one poll counts, and yes your mob won the last one.
But in the mean time they don’t mean jack. Unless the Tory scum are on the ropes, then you and you ilk come on here, and write post after post, saying how wonderful Key is because of some poll. Forget, the flag loss, forget poverty, forget enabling criminals. It’s all about a bloody poll.
Polls are to the public relations spin doctors like yourself, just another avenue to make stuff up, and do what you do best, lie.
The last three ones you mean 🙂 actually the ones who do come on here are quite consistent, we come on here when Nationals up and when Labours down and vice versa
For the last 8 years its mostly been the former of course
Wow, can’t give the PR consultant Puckish Rogue an inch ah, or they will winge a mile.
And let me repeat, this is not a labour party web site, and are you that dumb you can’t see the difference?
I mean all day, and for some time now, the way you talk it’s all about labour and national. Are you that stupid, or do you not understand the left is a bit more divergent than that?
We get you are a part of a group who lies. Thanks Frank for the great article by the way.
http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2016/04/11/the-mendacities-of-mr-key-16-the-sale-of-kiwibank-eight-years-in-the-planning/
let alone the other lie it has been caught out on.
http://thestandard.org.nz/key-changed-the-law-to-turn-nz-into-a-tax-haven/
or would you like me to link BLiP as well, or are you old enough to do a Google search?
Ahh Adam I admire the way you ignore the difficult (ie Labour sucks and Labours the largest left wing party in NZ so when they suck it makes it harder overall for the left to gain power in an MMP environment) and instead focus on the less important
Keep up the good work comrade 🙂
Wow, so you almost get that this is not a labour web site.
P.S. comrade is for authoritarian swindlers – you one of them?
Just trying to fit in with all the other good socialists 🙂
http://www.listener.co.nz/current-affairs/politics/jacinda-ardern-one-to-watch/
You know the listener just had a piece expounding the virtues of eugenics recently? It is a magazine which these days is just odd. And that is the nicest thing I can say for it.
Puckish Rogue with his war fetish, his stereotype debasement and indifference to refugees, and his hard line support for the drug Alcohol is a keyboard warrior of the worst type.
When I look at what he supports with all its misery, damage and death I rate him on par with a pedophile….. I may get a ban for this statement but it is a 100% honest assessment of the regard I hold him in……. based on his own posting history that I have read.
Him gloating over a poll is the least of his sins but typical of his personality .
Everyone can enjoy the fact they are not a puckish rouge …..
Although BM and others do try to be as gross, idiotic and dishonest on occasion ………………..
I think they come to The Standard because they like being annoying arseholes and their sort are a dime a dozen over at kiwisewer or whalesoil so they don’t stand out there.
Polls…polls.polls.
Do you know how boring you sound?
It must mean they’re happy to receive slave-labour hourly rates and don’t mind missing the concert so long as the lead singer pretends to like them.
And that was not televised?
Dang you would think that such outpouring of love and admiration of dear leader is captured on film (or what ever the digital equivalent) and shown to the fawning masses on telly, and printmedia
Question: Was an appropriate amount of roses, undies and ponytails thrown at the stage?
It was gratitude for being allowed into the country.
The sewer seems to be morphing into a white supremacist site with commenters linking to the reactionary musings from the alt-right touting race realism.
It is true and could easily be verified. I was a bystander with no involvement at all.
Don’t we want to know the secret of his appeal?
The carer who hugged Key was almost in tears, he was so happy and overcome. It was moving to see his emotion.
I don’t think we can keep on saying these people are stupid, dumb slaves.
Even in Dubai last year a hotel chef told me when he found out I was a NZer that our PM John Key had stayed there and he had gone out of his way to speak to many of the staff who looked after him and everyone liked him. This was far away from NZ and any political pay-off.
Until we understand Key’s appeal, we cannot possibly defeat him.
Hurling insults at me or him or one another gets us nowhere.
Are you sure pony boy didn’t mistake him for a child and pull his hair?.
‘
Hahahahahaha . . . tell me about the time when he walked on the surface of Lake Taupo to rescue the drowning kitten . . . gets me every time.
Not the usual complement of mouthy right wing trolls out today. Don’t tell me even their poxified morality is offended.
[BLiP: Off topic. Moved to Open Mike. Been trying to reduce the clutter in that important post so, just to be consistent, here you are.]
Most unusual. The Herald online is publishing heaps of stuff about murders, sport, Labour and the poll etc. But surprisingly, there is nothing that I can see about Panama, Trusts or Key blustering around. S’pect the Key edict to CEO is drop it!
Except for Mike Hoskings Radio live interview.
‘
Unbelievable. Had to check for myself. On the site’s front page, click-bait about Posh Spice’s thighs merits a higher ranking than any political story.
The fix is in.
yes..its all John Keys fault……………………………
[BLiP: Troll clutter. Moved to Open Mike. First and last warning]
A history of NZ money
Very brief but thankfully the rugby player didn’t make it on to the coins. I do like the marlin though.
I think Key would rather resign than show his tax records.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/78778585/nz-pm-john-key-refuses-to-release-tax-records–what-do-we-know-of-his-assets
@ Gangnam Style .
Bingo.
Pressure, pressure.
David Cameron is releasing his tax records and assets.
Now we need John Key’s.
Resigning is fine with me.
KDS going into overdrive,
Bea, some people have an uncanny knack of walking the walk and talking the talk, Clinton was another one who had smooze oozing out of him. Its automatic to them but its hardly a sacrifice what they are doing, nothing these people do is out of the goodness of their hearts, believe me there is motive behind it. It’s not in their DNA to actually do good things and not expect payment of some kind. The PM from the moment he wakes up is “playing to the crowds” – he adores admiration, sucks it up like a neglected child, ever see him walking the Matakana Markets – he is like royalty itself, waving and smiling – its his life blood – he needs it like oxygen. He is a Leo for God’s sake – look up what their personality is like – they have to be the centre of attention to survive, pity his poor missus is I what I say – how she fits in his life I have no idea.
But, he is as cunning as a weasel and lies like a stoat, everything he does has motive behind it – he desperately needs a legacy, he couldn’t survive without having good things written about him in history books – he is an attention seeker and a fraud. A hollow man, the poor sods in the retirement home probably thought he was a super star. They wouldn’t have a bloody clue what he gets up to. Very sad really, they probably all live in rented homes, on low wage rates and long hours and up to their hocks in debt, slaving away with difficult clients to manhandle into bed each night. Be sorry for them they don’t know any better. He has nothing to show for his life’s work so far whatever the adoring crowds think of him and he is dangerous to our country.
The higher they elevate the greater they fall – it never fails.
Can we please ease up on the Leo’s Kate? Not all of us are narcissists. 🙂
Apologies Rosie, but some Leo’s certainly like being the centre of attention, I have known a few of them in my life time. Social animals and crave attention – you may be the exception so once again apologies.
Lols, no apologies. I don’t think I’m in on the astrology anyway. According the zodiac map at the Aotearoa Henge in Carterton there are 13 signs, not 12. The designers of the henge believe we’re a bit off with our astrological signs.
http://www.stonehenge-aotearoa.co.nz/
fwiw, Bill Clinton is a Leo………….!
Doesn’t surprise me one bit, what a charmer he is.
http://colmarbrunton.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/160410-ONE-News-Colmar-Brunton-Poll-report-2-6-Apr-2016-prelim.pdf
The poll in question. Frankly i don’t know what the excitement is about. 1000 people were polled. Not really a huge sample. And again only People with Landline got the pleasure to answer. Most of the phone calls were conducted on a Monday, so I would guess that a lot of working age people were not the ones that answered. Which makes this sample of the NZ public a very small segment of the population.
National as a Party is up, but then all their allies are down. These voters are not likely to swing to Labour in the first place, and I think that the ACT/Conservatives/Peter Dunne Party (as far as mentioned in the Poll still at 1%) voters have to go somewhere. I am not venturing a guess with the Maori Party(also at 1%) members, as I can see them spread throughout the political landscape should/if/when they desert what is currently the Maori Party.
However John Key, Dear leader is down a 1%.
And up – are the undecided/confused/wont answer by 2%, now up to thirteen.
So for those that want to say that John Key is at 50% approval, sorry he ain’t. The National Party is, he is at 39%.
I also have an issue with only Landline polling as about 20-25% of the population by now would only use Mobile. (the consensus stated somewhere 80+% use of landline in 2013 and the trend is decreasing Landline use). Only calling Landline also has a fair chance of over polling a certain segment of the population, mainly those with properties owned, older and generally speaking more conservative vs Mobile phones only use seem to indicate a younger and a more transient population).
Consider as well the sampling error +-3 and frankly this poll is where the last one was.
National not moving, Labour/Greens/NZfirst shifting – especially that the same poll last month had the Greens at -4%. Are we really to believe that the Greens would just shave 4% of its voter base from one month to the next? Cause the Green Voters that I know are rather committed and would not switch to another party.
So as i said elsewhere, i need more meat on my poll. This one is the same as the last one. But it delivered the Headline needed, namely that the Flag Change did not affect the PM. How convenient for the cowardly run away PM – holidaying in Hawaii is so much more pleasant then to to answer any question re the Flag Change, the money squandered, the opportunities squandered.
Really, not worth the fear of those that despair with John Key and not worth the elation of the John Key 101st keyboard brigade.
Quite right Sabine – with NewFlag polling 43% and Labour polling 28%, you definitely need more meat on your pole.
All is well with labour Sabine, you keep believing that
actually no, there are a lot of things that not well with labour, and i know that.
but i will not pull my hair, clutch my pearls and bang my head for a poll that is essentially meaning less without a bit more information.
And considering that we have people here complaining about lack of information either way, either the media is too liberal or it is too rightwing, make of that what you want, i think we can all agree that having good information is something we all value.
So no I am not going tp bury my head in the sand just because there is another poll that buries the Labour party.
What you guys forget in all of that is that Labour alone will not form a government. Full stop. Right here. And you know what, it does not have too either. Welcome to the World of MMP were one or several parties can form a government.
All Labour has to do is stay steady, develop some good policies, and form a working and functioning coalition with the other opposition parties and a victory for National might not be so casually gained.
To me the poll results are such where National has to have a huge majority as it seems it has lost all its coalition partners for 2017. Having your supportive parties trending at 1% simply can’t be good. And while 36% are form him, 64% are against him. An uphill battle you may say. 🙂
All the while Labour, The Greens, NZFirst and maybe even the Maori Party could very well work out a coalition / support agreement and form a decent enough government.
And for me that is good enough. I rather have a left/centre left coalition government than another several years of the gruel we are having currently.
http://colmarbrunton.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/160410-ONE-News-Colmar-Brunton-Poll-report-2-6-Apr-2016-prelim.pdf
details for you…note 13% refused/undecided
yep, up by 2%
chip chip chip.
Winston calls for a royal commission on the foreign trusts but we get from Key ,one man as competent as he may be, the point is that govts since 1988 are responsible for this .Therefore a royal commission should be called to do this job .For one reason so we can watch the amount of money all this is going to cost but I fear Key has eroded the powers of royal commissions since he has been PM, ie I believe there is enough in Dirty politics to warrant a royal commission but we didnt get that. Key is always finding ways to short circuit in depth inquiries that will tie up his govts speedball processes but its ok to waste shit loads of time on a fuckin flag change
They’re all in on it…. https://youtu.be/dMB3hyu0Pek
excellent, nick.
ive seen a few bits of clever satire from jonathon pie.
while i am here, gotta say, love the improvements, the quality of the posts and the less tolerant moderating.
keep up the good work.
Yes and I’d have given Pr the red card for repetitive and dull comments about polls.
Mr Key told media , he was totally 100 per cent confident that his tax affairs are absolutely, and totally secret.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/78778585/nz-pm-john-key-refuses-to-release-tax-records–what-do-we-know-of-his-assets