Open mike 12/03/2020

Written By: - Date published: 7:00 am, March 12th, 2020 - 90 comments
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90 comments on “Open mike 12/03/2020 ”

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  1. Sanctuary 1
    12 March 2020 at 7:28 am

    Am I the only person who thinks a couple of NRL players (Jayden Okunbor and Corey Harawira-Naera) who are young men of 23 and 24 hooking up with a couple of 17 year old schoolgirls is grubby, but hardly the sensational scandal the media is making of it or a career ending act for the players or indeed anyone else's business? Anyone who has been in bar with pro-rugby players out on the rantan can attest to the keen enthusiasm of shoals of young women to get *ahem* better acquainted.

    The girls parents are probably (and justifiably) furious, although I doubt the players or the girls feel much regret at their bit of vigorous rutting. AFAIK, no one is suggesting anything non-consensual or illegal occurred (the age difference, after all, is only six years or seven years) and no one has suggested anyone has made a complaint to police.

    The bottom IMHO is the thickets of rules around conduct for players who are often not the brightest candles in the chandelier and are definitely not playing in the NRL only because their application for a reflective life of abstemious silence got turned down by their monastery of choice are simply a disaster waiting to happen. They really about protecting the clubs income from the outrage of po faced middle class media moralisers, not protecting young players and young women who clearly don't feel they need much protecting from each other.

    Surely it far past the time we accept these guys are not role models – just professional sportsmen who are part of a genetic freak show, a circus act put on for our entertainment, and what they get up to off the paddock is entirely their business as long as they don't break any actual laws?

    • Ad 1.1
      12 March 2020 at 7:58 am

      A few minor rhetorical questions:

      – Which school would invite that team back again?

      – If the All Blacks pulled at Dio, which brands including the sponsors, would suffer more?

      – If the Black Ferns whisked a 16 year old boy from Otago Boy's High, what would happen to the women's game?

      – Why don't we just apply your principle to every high school on the country, and to every sports code, with the principle of: it's legal, they enjoyed it, woo hooo?

      – Will the men be able to look after the resulting children?

      – Would it make a difference if the men were in their 60s and playing for a Seniors club?

      – What about if the men were in their 80s?

      Honestly Sanctuary, call me all patriarchal, but I'd recommend you have a daughter and work that scenario through.

      • Sanctuary 1.1.1
        12 March 2020 at 8:28 am

        Well the answer to your questions are:

        Which school would invite that team back again?

        Depends if it got into the media I guess.

        – If the All Blacks pulled at Dio, which brands including the sponsors, would suffer more?

        Don't know and don't care.

        – If the Black Ferns whisked a 16 year old boy from Otago Boy's High, what would happen to the women's game?

        Who knows? Lizzie Marvelly would probably be upset.

        – Why don't we just apply your principle to every high school on the country, and to every sports code, with the principle of: it's legal, they enjoyed it, woo hooo?

        Well… Yes.

        – Will the men be able to look after the resulting children?

        What children? Are you a Catholic or something?

        – Would it make a difference if the men were in their 60s and playing for a Seniors club?

        Of course it would, power relationships, grooming etc etc.

        – What about if the men were in their 80s?

        If an 80 year old is a) still playing rugby and b) has the energy to be able to bag a willing 17 year old school girl I'd be more impressed than outraged.

        Honestly Sanctuary, call me all patriarchal, but I'd recommend you have a daughter and work that scenario through.

        If it was my daughter I'd be paternally furious at her and furious at them, but their is shite I could actually do about it beyond a scolding and outrage.

        • Ad 1.1.1.1
          12 March 2020 at 8:29 am

          Think of Folau x 1000

          There's plenty you could and should do.

          • Sanctuary 1.1.1.1.1
            12 March 2020 at 9:09 am

            Folau's biggest problem was/is he doesn't know when to shut up in public. He can God bother all he likes in private.

    • Tiger Mountain 1.2
      12 March 2020 at 8:26 am

      Heh, you are possibly the only person that will post such a view on the Standard blogsite Sanctuary, put it that way…

      It is not a great spectacle to regularly see contrite, tearful, 99.9% male, sports people sorry for themselves on Monday mornings. Another meth/coke/booze fuelled mayhem session somewhere. “I let everyone down”. Not necessarily “maayte”, not everyone gives one about professional sport or the people that play it and then “play up”. It is part of popular culture regardless though–and it must be said–toxic male culture in NZ and Australia.

      Consenting people of age is one thing. But why discourage the Sporting Bodies when they have at long last started doing something at least to encourage better attitudes and behaviour towards women and the issue of consent? Sometimes they cloak it in “code of conduct” type language but it is sure needed. Rugby and League players and associates have made the media so many times when young girls, drunken players and hotel accomodation coincide.

      • Sanctuary 1.2.1
        12 March 2020 at 9:07 am

        I agree it is great we've moved on from the club snickering and back slapping the players in the club rooms to "WTF were you two idiots thinking???" That is progress.

        However, I get annoyed at the idea the young women have no agency in all this – they clearly gave out their numbers and went to some effort and ingenuity to get to their hotel rendezvous. If I was their parents, I'd be pretty pissed off that while I was vetting the suitors at the front door they were sneaking out the back to meet a couple of horny football players. As the saying goes, it takes two to tango. Sometimes I wonder if people remember when they were 23 and ridiculously fit. at that age, your dick tends rules your life. These four people don't sound like candidates for Mensa, and I doubt they've signed up to the puritanism that seems to be the flip side of so many middle class liberals.

        Like I said, grubby and ill-advised but hardly the end of the world.

        • RedLogix 1.2.1.1
          12 March 2020 at 9:18 am

          As the saying goes, it takes two to tango.

          Not in the modern world. Everything to do with female sexual expression is embraced and celebrated as empowering and liberating by our media, while anything male, and especially if heterosexual, exists only on a spectrum between grubby and rapey.

          This is why it's unwise for men to say anything public to do with sexuality these days. Like Folau, feel free to be bothered about it in private … devil

          • greywarshark 1.2.1.1.1
            12 March 2020 at 9:24 am

            A great discussion with valid points raised by all who comprehend the playing field from both sides and I think reality was a clear winner.

            • RedLogix 1.2.1.1.1.1
              12 March 2020 at 9:35 am

              Indeed there are two sides on this playing field, but the ref is only allowed to penalise one team. Note that the young women involved face no consequences and remain anonymous, while the young men have been named, shamed and sanctioned by the NRL.

            • Anne 1.2.1.1.1.2
              12 March 2020 at 10:22 am

              And you know what, I and a great many other people don't care a tinker's cuss (lovely old expression 🙂 ) about this story. And the fact these young women were apparently asking for it makes them no better than the young men.

              The media, by highlighting the story, are giving credence to the behaviour and encouraging others to copy them.

              • Brigid …
                12 March 2020 at 10:13 pm

                " these young women were apparently asking for it "

                Fuksake. Really Anne?

                It sounds like you very much do care about this story in that you can from your high horse declare the women were asking for it.

                I expect you aren't going to be looking for sympathy next time you're asking for it

                • Anne …
                  12 March 2020 at 10:28 pm

                  Oh bullshit Brigid. Those young women were there asking for sex with the "horny football players" (Sanctuary at 1.2.1).

                  It was Sanctuary's take on the story we were responding to. You didn't read the background comments and jumped to the wrong conclusion eh.

          • francesca 1.2.1.1.2
            12 March 2020 at 11:30 am

            Well Red

            Social mores change

            Whereas Christine Keeler , a teenager when introduced to Stephen Ward , was portrayed as a slut and a no good prostitute, Virginia Guiffre is portrayed as an innocent victim, helplessly forced to accept quantities of money in return for sexual acts

            Neither portrayals reflect the complexities of female experience and agency

    • observer 1.3
      12 March 2020 at 9:34 am

      The difference is pretty obvious.

      Why do players go to a bar? (as opposed to …) Why do players go to a school?

    • Psycho Milt 1.4
      12 March 2020 at 12:46 pm

      Surely it far past the time we accept these guys are not role models – just professional sportsmen who are part of a genetic freak show, a circus act put on for our entertainment, and what they get up to off the paddock is entirely their business as long as they don't break any actual laws?

      It never was the time for these entertainers to be portrayed as role models. It's an embarrassment to the country.

    • McFlock 1.5
      12 March 2020 at 2:39 pm

      If they're not role models, they wouldn't be sent to visit schools in the first place.

      It's alleged they brought the females back to their hotel after reportedly meeting them during an official club visit to the school, 9News reports.

      So on the one hand, yeah, it's all ok between "adults", but on the other hand they're not there to get their end away. And then it becomes a commercial decision as to whether that behaviour is acceptable to the wider public who buy sponsors' products:

      Adding to the club's woes, $2 million major sponsor, family restaurant chain Rashays, have reportedly pulled the plug on their deal with the club amid public outrage over the scandal.

      It's not so much a "me, too" moment as a "just, ewww" moment, but today's professional athletes are brand promotion vehicles, the sport is incidental.

      It's a bit like me and my job. My opinions here can conflict, or reflect badly upon, my employer. I figure there's a 30% chance that if I get outed, I'll have to find other work because if I hang around and some tory decided to get their knickers in a twist about me calling nats baby-killers (because some real-name commenters here in the past have indeed said that they employers had been contacted by tories with a grudge), we lose a contract and the oily rag is no longer smelly enough to do our work. Which would suck for the others and the job we do. But that's the situation, which I have to assess with my eyes open – including the idea that I out myself and nobody gives a shit, lol.

  2. Macro 2
    12 March 2020 at 8:38 am

    An insightful examination of Joe Biden's electability, and why even though he stumbles in his speech his appeal is far wider than many give him credit

    Political devotees don’t like Joe Biden, but voters do. And there’s a reason for that.

    t’s time for a fresh look at Uncle Joe.

    On Super Tuesday, Joe Biden broke the narrative that had defined the Democratic primary race. The surprise wasn’t that he won, though that was unexpected. It’s that he won new voters in a high-turnout election — almost every state saw a turnout surge, and a Washington Post analysis suggests Biden won 60 percent of voters who didn’t cast a ballot in 2016.

    “We increased turnout,” Biden said in his victory speech. “The turnout turned out for us!”

    This is a result that requires some rethinking. Before Super Tuesday, the conventional wisdom was simple. Bernie Sanders was the turnout candidate, and Biden the uninspiring generic Democrat. You could see this in Sanders’s packed rallies, his die-hard social media brigades, his army of individual donors — and in Biden’s inability to match those markers of enthusiasm. If new voters flooded the primary, it would be proof that Sanders’s political revolution was brewing. But if the political revolution failed and turnout stagnated, Biden might slip through. What virtually no one predicted was Biden winning a high-turnout contest. But he did.

    Firstly

    Biden’s speech patterns offend the media and political pundits. Voters don’t really care.

    Secondly

    Nonvoters aren’t as ideological as political obsessives

    Thirdly

    2020 is a referendum on Trump, not on the Democratic agenda

    Finally

    Democrats have settled on two risky choices

    Democrats have a difficult task in 2020. Trump is the incumbent amid, for now, a growing economy. Presidents almost never lose under those conditions. Moreover, Trump has a significant advantage given the country’s electoral geography: It’s entirely possible the Democrat could once again win more votes and lose the Electoral College.

    And Democrats are not, in my view, playing it safe. The field has winnowed down to a 77-year-old icon of the Democratic establishment who has trouble expressing himself and a 78-year-old democratic socialist who just had a heart attack. And both of them are crisscrossing the country holding public events amid the outbreak of a virus that’s particularly dangerous for older Americans. There were, in my view, a number of less risky choices in the Democratic field, but voters rejected them.

    Of course, Trump is a risky choice for Republicans. Despite the strong economy, he has never broken 50 percent in polling averages. He lost the popular vote in 2016, led Republicans to electoral wipeout in 2018, and got himself impeached in 2019. His White House has been chaotic, he is more rhetorically reckless than Biden, and he is also a septuagenarian in middling physical health.

    On Super Tuesday, Biden showed that a campaign that has been singularly uninspiring to the most engaged sliver of the electorate was able to turn out the most voters. Those of us who didn’t see it coming need to rethink our priors.

    • RedLogix 2.2
      12 March 2020 at 9:30 am

      Also from your link:

      A 2018 paper by Andrew Hall and Daniel Thompson looked at US House elections between 2006 and 2014 and concluded that moderates performed better. The mechanism here is interesting: The study finds that more extreme candidates do drive turnout, but “extremists appear to activate the opposing party’s base more than their own.” In other words, they drive more countermobilization than mobilization.

      So maybe us moderates aren't so despicable after all. While I still support Sander's overall goals, the method of his political implementation has been a failure. At the risk of going full CV, yes it is a lesson far left wing activists have proven very slow to learn.

    • Adrian Thornton 2.3
      12 March 2020 at 11:57 am

      For the establishment Dems and media this was all about stopping Sanders not beating Trump..nothing more or less.

      I means seriously.." Biden’s speech patterns offend the media and political pundits. Voters don’t really care."..really? are you telling us that you seriously think that if Sanders displayed the same oblivious cognitive decline as Biden, that the so called liberal media wouldn't have torn him limb to limb?..

      There is a reason why the sanders team ended up saying that Fox gave them a fairer time of it than liberal MSM.

      The take away from this is that moderate centrist liberals would rather see the whole fucking planet burn than rock their safe little boats…which is of course unsurprising as their beloved ideology is anchored in selfishness and short termism

      • Andre 2.3.1
        12 March 2020 at 12:10 pm

        How Sanders shrunk his base rather than expanding it:

        Running against the establishment is standard populism. But to win with that message, you have to define the enemy narrowly. The more people you denounce as part of the establishment, the more you scare politicians and voters. If you’re proposing single-payer health insurance, for example, the smart move is to stipulate that you’re just targeting insurance companies. Instead, Sanders has threatened the whole medical sector. “We will take on the health care industry,” he vowed at a rally last week. On Monday, he repeated that line to a crowd in St. Louis. On CNN, he blasted the industry for supporting Biden: “The health care industry that is taking out their checkbooks? That is the establishment. We are taking them on.”

        https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2020/03/bernie-sanders-anti-establishment-lost-voters.html

        • Adrian Thornton 2.3.1.1
          12 March 2020 at 12:49 pm

          Look pal, hasn't Coronavirus shown you that scaring people is the easiest thing in the world to do for media, they are the pro's at it, liberal MSM have been 'scaring' the population about Sanders and his policies from the git go..with inevitable results.

          It's like all (and that is ALL liberal MSM, not just some) the media tip the scales in one direction, then when that inevitable result happens, they are like…well there you go folks the people have spoken and didn't want this or that, and strangely you and many on this site never acknowledge that fact what so ever?

          I can guarantee you this, if Sanders or Corbyn had had just two main stream media outlets that were as biased towards them and their ideology as ALL of the liberal media has been at protecting it's own Liberal ideology and tearing the progressive movement and their ideas down, then we would have seen quite a different story unfold over the past few years.

      • The Al1en 2.3.2
        12 March 2020 at 12:45 pm

        It's appears quite clear now, as shown by the primary results so far, the majority of registered democrats are voting to keep the dems centre left. If that means the majority in the party are establishment, moderate centrist liberals, then it is what it is, and no crying over the lack of cut through by a minority fringe is going to change anything. The results in Michigan, Missouri, and Mississippi are bluntly telling in the working man has rejected Bernie’s democratic socialism.

        The message thus reads: Don’t turn the dems left.

        • Tiger Mountain 2.3.2.1
          12 March 2020 at 2:03 pm

          And centralist weaklings that post on The Standard, fundamentally do not seem to support the Sanders Campaign policies anyway when it really comes down to it. They scarf down US media punditry like a dog returning to a regurgitated dinner.

          Bernie Sanders displays more political courage in one day at 78 than most do for their whole lives. As for electability–he should stay in the contest as long as he likes–he owes the US Ruling Class of which the Democratic Party elites are members of–literally nothing, due to his working class funded campaign. The millions without healthcare and all the rest of it, will see NO change if Biden does somehow escape the Trump mangling machine. I saw a piece today, a Seattle clinic was charging $100-$500 for Corona virus screens for insured patients, $1600 for uninsured! Free in NZ and much of the ‘civilised’ world. That is what the Bernie Campaign is about.

          Bernie would not of touched the Democrats with a 40 foot pole if not for the US system–not just FPP which typically leads to two only “official” parties but…State, Federal, Congress, Senate and Electoral College layers that all present unique barriers to a new vision or third and fourth parties trying to get representation for their supporters.

          He should persist until substantial policy gains are made, or stand as an independent as a precursor to a full new party for 2024. So often the “real politik” views of what is “possible” posters are mere right opportunism.

          • The Al1en 2.3.2.1.1
            12 March 2020 at 2:52 pm

            People's politics are their own, and if they mainly come from the centre, which in the US (and here) the numbers suggest they do, then that's the actual state of the field in play. Attacking them won't change their minds, though I concede it's easier (even if counter productive) than trying to convince them an unpopular vision is the way forward.

            As I've said before, I party vote for the most electable party furthest left from the middle, and Biden wouldn't have been in my top three presidential candidates, but neither of those things change the reality I listed above.

            Calling people centrist weaklings because one's politics are fringe and hopes and dreams have died at the ballot box doesn't bother me, but like the momentum led labour party in the UK, you won't win too many battles with it.

            • Adrian Thornton 2.3.2.1.1.1
              12 March 2020 at 3:13 pm

              And the dead dog that the Dems and liberal MSM have pushed is not only suffering for cognitive decline, when he does open his mouth he spews out about as much bullshit and lies as Trump….well done you stupid selfish centrists, hope you all got a good excuse lined up to tell your grandchildren when you try and explain why the planet is burning around them…..as I have said for years you liberals are more of a threat to any progressive project than the Right, and you all just proved it again…well done.

              • The Al1en …
                12 March 2020 at 3:25 pm

                Ultimately "the dead dog that the Dems and liberal MSM have pushed is" the one the voters seem to have chosen.

                If only you had the numbers to match your rhetoric.

                • Tiger Mountain …
                  12 March 2020 at 3:46 pm

                  It was not my intention to put this specifically on you The Al1en. Various others deserve the centrist weakling accolade more.

                  Elections do not happen in a social vacuum–“righto chaps let the best man win eh what!” is not how it is structured under US billionaire Manufacturing Consent rules by the longest of stretches.

                  People vote against their own material interests regularly around the world, why? For subjective reasons. Fear. Neo liberal fostered hyper individualism. Hardwired loyalty to what was. Aspiration. Fear of the new. And scariest of all–100 million eligible Americans are so alienated and degraded by social conditions, and excluded by gerrymandering and voter suppression, that they don’t bloody vote at all.

                  So in recent decades a minority of a minority actually enables a candidate to get to the Electoral College stage even. Of course ultimately the vote is the vote–but it should not be viewed uncritically or without a full analysis.

              • adam …
                12 March 2020 at 4:04 pm

                Don't bother Adrian Thornton – Centrist never listen – it's their one true gift.

                Take the positives that from nothing a left has arisen in the USA. That it is getting organised and it has started to move the debate – with what little it had. It's only going to get bigger.

                The majority of the scum centerists who dominate the debate now will be dead within a few years, and the ideas taking hold now will be the new normal/centre.

                • Adrian Thornton …
                  12 March 2020 at 9:09 pm

                  Hi Adam, of course they don't listen, they are just as bound to their free market ideology as the rest of us to our own ideologies, the only difference is that our one is the only one that if implemented has at least a fighting chance at saving the planet and perhaps even making our societies and communities just a little bit nicer while we are at it…but as I have said a thousand times on this site, the Liberal ideology is an extremely selfish one, which guides all their policies and unfortunately for us, it is toward the inevitable cliff…

      • McFlock 2.3.3
        12 March 2020 at 2:53 pm

        There is a reason why the sanders team ended up saying that Fox gave them a fairer time of it than liberal MSM.

        So the liberal MSM have an agenda, but Fox (does it still have like 80% of the us news audience) does not?

        Let me apply your cynical lens to Fox: there's a reason Fox preferred dolt45 to face Sanders than a moderate Dem.

  3. Molly 3
    12 March 2020 at 8:41 am

    Looking at ABC news, I found the Edelman Trust Barometer. In its twentieth year, it has collated the results of 34,000 online survey respondents from late last year.

    Although, I couldn't find any specific references in the data to NZ, there are quite a few interesting results coming out of the survey, including:

    56% agreement with the statement: "Capitalism as it exists today does more harm than good in the world".

    There are a number of different perspectives surveyed, including trust and ethics as they relate to business, media and government.

  4. Macro 4
    12 March 2020 at 8:54 am

    The World Health Organization has officially declared that dogs cannot get the coronavirus, freeing them from quarantine.

    We can now all breathe easy knowing that WHO let the dogs out.

    • Graeme 5.1
      12 March 2020 at 11:36 am

      Have been keeping an eye out for that, but impression seems to be that there's maybe less than normal, and movements correspond to the usual short stay. ie The airplane comes in, and then leaves a couple of day later and departs the country.

      If they were bunkering the airplane would depart pretty quickly to either overseas or parking in NZ. There's nowhere to park them in Queenstown.

      Not to say there’s not some one way arrivals on commercial flights though. It’d probably be a while before immigration caught up with someone from US or Europe / UK who didn’t go home after their holiday.

    • Andre 6.1
      12 March 2020 at 9:26 am

      He won 46% of delegates in the last cycle … running against an opponent with no penis.

      There's still a lot to be learned from comparing 2016 to 2020, but one thing we can be sure of right now is that Bernie's 2016 near-success was not an indication of enthusiasm for Bernie's ideologies. Biden's positions and history are downright reactionary compared to Hillary's, which should push even more voters Bernie's way if his ideology were a major factor. But this year Bernie is running way behind where he was in 2016.

      https://www.salon.com/2020/03/11/why-is-bernie-losing-because-hes-not-running-against-a-woman/

  7. joe90 7
    12 March 2020 at 9:50 am

    They botched it, and now the cover-up.

    WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The White House has ordered federal health officials to treat top-level coronavirus meetings as classified, an unusual step that has restricted information and hampered the U.S. government’s response to the contagion, according to four Trump administration officials.

    The officials said that dozens of classified discussions about such topics as the scope of infections, quarantines and travel restrictions have been held since mid-January in a high-security meeting room at the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS), a key player in the fight against the coronavirus.

    Staffers without security clearances, including government experts, were excluded from the interagency meetings, which included video conference calls, the sources said.

    “We had some very critical people who did not have security clearances who could not go,” one official said. “These should not be classified meetings. It was unnecessary.”

    […]

    This came directly from the White House,” one official said.

    https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-secrecy-exclusive/exclusive-white-house-told-federal-health-agency-to-classify-coronavirus-deliberations-sources-idUSKBN20Y2LM

    • McFlock 7.1
      12 March 2020 at 2:57 pm

      [headdesk]

      1: they're not bringing in critical experts because security;

      2: the White House is the biggest security problem they have.

  8. joe90 8
    12 March 2020 at 10:04 am

    Let me guess; Republicans are trying to give Kosovo back to Serbia. Or, Serbia is the tRump crime family’s preferred bolt-hole and following the despot’s playbook, they’ve been squirreling their looted billions there.

    (thread)

    https://twitter.com/cjcmichel/status/1237484725264056329

  9. indiana 9
    12 March 2020 at 11:26 am

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=12315950

    "Even the previously sluggish Auckland market has fired up again, median prices up 4.3 per cent from $851,000 a year ago to $888,000 last month. That was the highest Auckland price in more than four years."

    I thought this government was doing something about getting rid of all the investors in the property market? Guess not….

    • Incognito 9.1
      12 March 2020 at 11:53 am

      I thought this government was doing something about getting rid of all the investors in the property market?

      Can you provide a link in which the Government has stated this? I think that you are making it up and I get grumpy when people do this, particularly in election year.

      • indiana 9.1.1
        12 March 2020 at 12:12 pm

        "The bright line test – which requires tax to be paid on any gains made from a residential property sale – was first imposed by the National-led Government in 2015.

        The Labour-led Government has argued the measures don’t go far enough and that extending the test to five years will help deter property speculators and “may” have of a dampening effect on the housing market."

        https://www.interest.co.nz/property/92868/tuesday-night-bill-which-will-see-bright-lines-test-extended-two-years-five-passed

        • Incognito 9.1.1.1
          12 March 2020 at 12:26 pm

          Close, but no cigar. It doesn’t state what you asserted. It still looks like you were making it up.

          Try again.

          • indiana 9.1.1.1.1
            12 March 2020 at 12:50 pm

            Yeah…lets get into a real 'woke' online argument…"you stated 'X' so you must provide a link to prove your statement of 'X' exists"

            [You made up shit, and you know it. Of course, you cannot provide a link of your BS attribution to the Government because it doesn’t exist, and you know it. You were shit-stirring in the hope that somebody would take the bait. Well, I did. If you had chosen your words differently and more carefully, we would not have this “real ‘woke’ online argument”. Analogy: ‘they tried to hit me’ becomes ‘they tried to kill me’. You can take your “real ‘woke’ online argument” and shit-stir somewhere else. Banned for two weeks – Incognito]

  10. Exkiwiforces 10
    12 March 2020 at 12:15 pm

    Taji Camp was hit again by 18 rockets and there has a number deaths and wounded soldiers this time. From reports I’ve just read they include UK and US service personal deaths, with number of wounded from these two countries and it’s believed that no NZ or ADF have wounded or kill at this.

    It’s time for this NZG to seriously call time on Iraq, as the odds of a NZDF being wounded or kill over in Taji are shorting everyday now and it only a matter of time now.

    https://twitter.com/MidEastWitness/status/1237871621647392771?s=20

    • adam 10.1
      12 March 2020 at 3:47 pm

      But, but ISIS.

      Oh wait, we beat ISIS and trump ordered the pull out of US troops. But, wait no ISIS just had thousands released with the Turkish invasion of Syria.

      But, but, they wouldn't attack western troops sneak attacks would they.

      Oh wait, sorry the russians did it.

    • Sacha 10.2
      12 March 2020 at 4:53 pm

      I'd say we may need all our armed forces back here to help with essential services in a matter of weeks.

      • McFlock 10.2.1
        12 March 2020 at 5:35 pm

        "weeks" is a fuzzy word that could mean before the end of March or sometime in 2021.

        Given no new cases in 4 or 5 days, if we shut travel with the US in time we could be good for at least the first bit of that range.

  11. Anne 11
    12 March 2020 at 4:15 pm

    So, Trump has decided to heap all the blame for the spread of Covid 19 on Europe eh. Good way to cover up for ones own piss poor management of General Health services in the US:

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/world/411566/all-travel-from-europe-to-us-suspended-for-30-days

    • Incognito 11.1
      12 March 2020 at 4:21 pm

      UK excluded, but they’re not a part of Europe any longer, obviously.

      • Sacha 11.1.1
        12 March 2020 at 4:54 pm

        All about the trade, and Chumpy's own interests.

        • In Vino 11.1.1.1
          12 March 2020 at 8:14 pm

          Has the silly bastard thought of isolating the areas in his own country where the virus has reared its ugly head, or am I wrong in thinking that the stupid boofhead has just made a big move to make people think he is powerful and decisive (but far too late)?

      • Macro 11.1.2
        13 March 2020 at 8:44 am

        Apparently all Trump owned golf courses, being so exclusive, are immune from Covid 19. Maybe that is why he spent all last week-end at Mar-a-Lago

    • mauī 11.2
      12 March 2020 at 9:19 pm

      It's quite easy to heap blame on the federal government but states have their own government and play the most important part in handling one of these crises. The federal government is there to tidy up the mess once a state is overwhelmed really.

      Trump has stopped travellers from Europe. New Zealand is still letting them in, no questions asked, just handing them a pamphlet even if the country they're from has exponential spread of the virus.

  13. Eco Maori 13
    13 March 2020 at 6:28 pm

    Kia Ora Newshub.

    Paddy the Christchurch desaster is 12 months ago it seems like yesterday. The haters are fools.

    Ka kite Ano.

  14. Eco Maori 14
    13 March 2020 at 6:52 pm

    Kia Ora Te Ao Maori News.

    Its good to see more putea invested in the regions 36 million.

    Turanginui A Kiwa has got Awsome beaches.

    Makatu beaches are good to.

    Ka kite Ano

  15. Eco Maori 15
    14 March 2020 at 6:27 pm

    Kia Ora Newshub.

    Its good to see China helping Italy.

    Mite be time to plan online voting.

    White supremecy has no place in the Papatuanuku.

    Ka kite Ano.

  16. Eco Maori 16
    14 March 2020 at 6:54 pm

    Kia Ora Te Ao Maori News.

    The effects of the virus are wide reaching.

    The Kapa Haka comp in Tu Whare Toa looks good.

    Chess is a good game to learn how to learn strategies of life.

    Ka kite Ano

  18. Eco Maori 18
    15 March 2020 at 6:29 pm

    Kia Ora Newshub.

    Skypeing will become the new norm for business meetings.

    It looks like good weather in Hamilton today 27 degrees.

    I know exactly what I was doing 12 months ago at first I thought it was a hokes Aotearoa is still a awesome country.

    Ka kite Ano.

  19. Eco Maori 19
    15 March 2020 at 6:51 pm

    Kia Ora Te Ao Maori News.

    Yes religion does not teach hate.

    Aohai is a great healer for tamariki.

    Having fishing competition that all the tamariki can be involved in is cool on the Rangatiki Awa

    Ka kite Ano

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  • Tobacco First

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  • Trump’s Adopted Son.

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  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Friday, July 19

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  • Joint statement from the Prime Ministers of Canada, Australia and New Zealand

    Australia, Canada and New Zealand today issued the following statement on the need for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza and the risk of expanded conflict between Hizballah and Israel. The situation in Gaza is catastrophic. The human suffering is unacceptable. It cannot continue.  We remain unequivocal in our condemnation of ...
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    18 hours ago
  • AG reminds institutions of legal obligations

    Attorney-General Judith Collins today reminded all State and faith-based institutions of their legal obligation to preserve records relevant to the safety and wellbeing of those in its care. “The Abuse in Care Inquiry’s report has found cases where records of the most vulnerable people in State and faith‑based institutions were ...
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    21 hours ago
  • More young people learning about digital safety

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Government’s online safety website for children and young people has reached one million page views.  “It is great to see so many young people and their families accessing the site Keep It Real Online to learn how to stay safe online, and manage ...
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    21 hours ago
  • Speech to the Conference for General Practice 2024

    Tēnā tātou katoa,  Ngā mihi te rangi, ngā mihi te whenua, ngā mihi ki a koutou, kia ora mai koutou. Thank you for the opportunity to be here and the invitation to speak at this 50th anniversary conference. I acknowledge all those who have gone before us and paved the ...
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    23 hours ago
  • Employers and payroll providers ready for tax changes

    New Zealand’s payroll providers have successfully prepared to ensure 3.5 million individuals will, from Wednesday next week, be able to keep more of what they earn each pay, says Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Revenue Minister Simon Watts.  “The Government's tax policy changes are legally effective from Wednesday. Delivering this tax ...
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    1 day ago
  • Experimental vineyard futureproofs wine industry

    An experimental vineyard which will help futureproof the wine sector has been opened in Blenheim by Associate Regional Development Minister Mark Patterson. The covered vineyard, based at the New Zealand Wine Centre – Te Pokapū Wāina o Aotearoa, enables controlled environmental conditions. “The research that will be produced at the Experimental ...
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    1 day ago
  • Funding confirmed for regions affected by North Island Weather Events

    The Coalition Government has confirmed the indicative regional breakdown of North Island Weather Event (NIWE) funding for state highway recovery projects funded through Budget 2024, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Regions in the North Island suffered extensive and devastating damage from Cyclone Gabrielle and the 2023 Auckland Anniversary Floods, and ...
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    1 day ago
  • Indonesian Foreign Minister to visit

    Indonesia’s Foreign Minister, Retno Marsudi, will visit New Zealand next week, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.   “Indonesia is important to New Zealand’s security and economic interests and is our closest South East Asian neighbour,” says Mr Peters, who is currently in Laos to engage with South East Asian partners. ...
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  • Strengthening partnership with Ngāti Maniapoto

    He aha te kai a te rangatira? He kōrero, he kōrero, he kōrero. The government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the aspirations of Ngāti Maniapoto, Minister for Māori Development Tama Potaka says. “My thanks to Te Nehenehenui Trust – Ngāti Maniapoto for bringing their important kōrero to a ministerial ...
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    2 days ago
  • Transport Minister thanks outgoing CAA Chair

    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has thanked outgoing Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority, Janice Fredric, for her service to the board.“I have received Ms Fredric’s resignation from the role of Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority,” Mr Brown says.“On behalf of the Government, I want to thank Ms Fredric for ...
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    2 days ago
  • Test for Customary Marine Title being restored

    The Government is proposing legislation to overturn a Court of Appeal decision and amend the Marine and Coastal Area Act in order to restore Parliament’s test for Customary Marine Title, Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith says.  “Section 58 required an applicant group to prove they have exclusively used and occupied ...
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  • Opposition united in bad faith over ECE sector review

    Regulation Minister David Seymour says that opposition parties have united in bad faith, opposing what they claim are ‘dangerous changes’ to the Early Childhood Education sector, despite no changes even being proposed yet.  “Issues with affordability and availability of early childhood education, and the complexity of its regulation, has led ...
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  • Kiwis having their say on first regulatory review

    After receiving more than 740 submissions in the first 20 days, Regulation Minister David Seymour is asking the Ministry for Regulation to extend engagement on the early childhood education regulation review by an extra two weeks.  “The level of interest has been very high, and from the conversations I’ve been ...
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  • Government upgrading Lower North Island commuter rail

    The Coalition Government is investing $802.9 million into the Wairarapa and Manawatū rail lines as part of a funding agreement with the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA), KiwiRail, and the Greater Wellington and Horizons Regional Councils to deliver more reliable services for commuters in the lower North Island, Transport Minister Simeon ...
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    2 days ago
  • Government moves to ensure flood protection for Wairoa

    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced his intention to appoint a Crown Manager to both Hawke’s Bay Regional and Wairoa District Councils to speed up the delivery of flood protection work in Wairoa."Recent severe weather events in Wairoa this year, combined with damage from Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023 have ...
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    3 days ago
  • PM speech to Parliament – Royal Commission of Inquiry’s Report into Abuse in Care

    Mr Speaker, this is a day that many New Zealanders who were abused in State care never thought would come. It’s the day that this Parliament accepts, with deep sorrow and regret, the Report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care.  At the heart of this report are the ...
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    3 days ago
  • Government acknowledges torture at Lake Alice

    For the first time, the Government is formally acknowledging some children and young people at Lake Alice Psychiatric Hospital experienced torture. The final report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith-based Care “Whanaketia – through pain and trauma, from darkness to light,” was tabled in Parliament ...
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    3 days ago
  • Government acknowledges courageous abuse survivors

    The Government has acknowledged the nearly 2,400 courageous survivors who shared their experiences during the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State and Faith-Based Care. The final report from the largest and most complex public inquiry ever held in New Zealand, the Royal Commission Inquiry “Whanaketia – through ...
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    3 days ago
  • Half a million people use tax calculator

    With a week to go before hard-working New Zealanders see personal income tax relief for the first time in fourteen years, 513,000 people have used the Budget tax calculator to see how much they will benefit, says Finance Minister Nicola Willis.  “Tax relief is long overdue. From next Wednesday, personal income ...
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    3 days ago
  • Paid Parental Leave improvements pass first reading

    Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden says a bill that has passed its first reading will improve parental leave settings and give non-biological parents more flexibility as primary carer for their child. The Regulatory Systems Amendment Bill (No3), passed its first reading this morning. “It includes a change ...
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    3 days ago
  • Rebuilding the economy through better regulation

    Two Bills designed to improve regulation and make it easier to do business have passed their first reading in Parliament, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. The Regulatory Systems (Economic Development) Amendment Bill and Regulatory Systems (Immigration and Workforce) Amendment Bill make key changes to legislation administered by the Ministry ...
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    3 days ago
  • ‘Open banking’ and ‘open electricity’ on the way

    New legislation paves the way for greater competition in sectors such as banking and electricity, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says. “Competitive markets boost productivity, create employment opportunities and lift living standards. To support competition, we need good quality regulation but, unfortunately, a recent OECD report ranked New ...
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    3 days ago
  • Charity lotteries to be permitted to operate online

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says lotteries for charitable purposes, such as those run by the Heart Foundation, Coastguard NZ, and local hospices, will soon be allowed to operate online permanently. “Under current laws, these fundraising lotteries are only allowed to operate online until October 2024, after which ...
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    4 days ago
  • Accelerating Northland Expressway

    The Coalition Government is accelerating work on the new four-lane expressway between Auckland and Whangārei as part of its Roads of National Significance programme, with an accelerated delivery model to deliver this project faster and more efficiently, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “For too long, the lack of resilient transport connections ...
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    4 days ago
  • Sir Don to travel to Viet Nam as special envoy

    Sir Don McKinnon will travel to Viet Nam this week as a Special Envoy of the Government, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.    “It is important that the Government give due recognition to the significant contributions that General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong made to New Zealand-Viet Nam relations,” Mr ...
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    4 days ago
  • Grant Illingworth KC appointed as transitional Commissioner to Royal Commission

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says newly appointed Commissioner, Grant Illingworth KC, will help deliver the report for the first phase of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into COVID-19 Lessons, due on 28 November 2024.  “I am pleased to announce that Mr Illingworth will commence his appointment as ...
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    4 days ago
  • NZ to advance relationships with ASEAN partners

    Foreign Minister Winston Peters travels to Laos this week to participate in a series of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-led Ministerial meetings in Vientiane.    “ASEAN plays an important role in supporting a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific,” Mr Peters says.   “This will be our third visit to ...
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    4 days ago
  • Backing mental health services on the West Coast

    Construction of a new mental health facility at Te Nikau Grey Hospital in Greymouth is today one step closer, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says. “This $27 million facility shows this Government is delivering on its promise to boost mental health care and improve front line services,” Mr Doocey says. ...
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    4 days ago
  • NZ support for sustainable Pacific fisheries

    New Zealand is committing nearly $50 million to a package supporting sustainable Pacific fisheries development over the next four years, Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones announced today. “This support consisting of a range of initiatives demonstrates New Zealand’s commitment to assisting our Pacific partners ...
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    4 days ago
  • Students’ needs at centre of new charter school adjustments

    Associate Education Minister David Seymour says proposed changes to the Education and Training Amendment Bill will ensure charter schools have more flexibility to negotiate employment agreements and are equipped with the right teaching resources. “Cabinet has agreed to progress an amendment which means unions will not be able to initiate ...
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    4 days ago
  • Commissioner replaces Health NZ Board

    In response to serious concerns around oversight, overspend and a significant deterioration in financial outlook, the Board of Health New Zealand will be replaced with a Commissioner, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti announced today.  “The previous government’s botched health reforms have created significant financial challenges at Health NZ that, without ...
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    5 days ago
  • Minister to speak at Australian Space Forum

    Minister for Space and Science, Innovation and Technology Judith Collins will travel to Adelaide tomorrow for space and science engagements, including speaking at the Australian Space Forum.  While there she will also have meetings and visits with a focus on space, biotechnology and innovation.  “New Zealand has a thriving space ...
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    5 days ago
  • Climate Change Minister to attend climate action meeting in China

    Climate Change Minister Simon Watts will travel to China on Saturday to attend the Ministerial on Climate Action meeting held in Wuhan.  “Attending the Ministerial on Climate Action is an opportunity to advocate for New Zealand climate priorities and engage with our key partners on climate action,” Mr Watts says. ...
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    5 days ago
  • Oceans and Fisheries Minister to Solomons

    Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is travelling to the Solomon Islands tomorrow for meetings with his counterparts from around the Pacific supporting collective management of the region’s fisheries. The 23rd Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Committee and the 5th Regional Fisheries Ministers’ Meeting in Honiara from 23 to 26 July ...
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    7 days ago
  • Government launches Military Style Academy Pilot

    The Government today launched the Military Style Academy Pilot at Te Au rere a te Tonga Youth Justice residence in Palmerston North, an important part of the Government’s plan to crackdown on youth crime and getting youth offenders back on track, Minister for Children, Karen Chhour said today. “On the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Nine priority bridge replacements to get underway

    The Government has welcomed news the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has begun work to replace nine priority bridges across the country to ensure our state highway network remains resilient, reliable, and efficient for road users, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“Increasing productivity and economic growth is a key priority for the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Update on global IT outage

    Acting Prime Minister David Seymour has been in contact throughout the evening with senior officials who have coordinated a whole of government response to the global IT outage and can provide an update. The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet has designated the National Emergency Management Agency as the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • New Zealand, Japan renew Pacific partnership

    New Zealand and Japan will continue to step up their shared engagement with the Pacific, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “New Zealand and Japan have a strong, shared interest in a free, open and stable Pacific Islands region,” Mr Peters says.    “We are pleased to be finding more ways ...
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    1 week ago
  • New infrastructure energises BOP forestry towns

    New developments in the heart of North Island forestry country will reinvigorate their communities and boost economic development, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones visited Kaingaroa and Kawerau in Bay of Plenty today to open a landmark community centre in the former and a new connecting road in ...
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    1 week ago
  • 'Pacific Futures'

    President Adeang, fellow Ministers, honourable Diet Member Horii, Ambassadors, distinguished guests.    Minasama, konnichiwa, and good afternoon, everyone.    Distinguished guests, it’s a pleasure to be here with you today to talk about New Zealand’s foreign policy reset, the reasons for it, the values that underpin it, and how it ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

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