What a revolting programme, had not watched it since the Paul Henry days, Christie and his simpering assistant delivering the world for shallow people. The TV equivalent of TradeMe message board.
Harre´gave Christie a serve and he has been whinging and chipping at her remarks since. There was a weak admission that the effigy clip was not linked to Internet Mana and they do not supply free drinks to students.
After Harre´ left our man then conveniently turns up an email from the mother of one of the students in the FJK video who says he had a selfie with the Prime Minister the next day, and that “there was alcohol there” (but they don’t state who supplied it)–hmmm wasn’t that exactly what Mr Key has suggested–that people telling him to fuck off one day would want a photo op the next?
Talking of ‘Paul’, Henry that is, i watched last nights effort from the wee ‘Perve’ to see what InternetMana’s Lailla Haare, who was on the show last night, had to say,
Befor Lailla appeared Perving Paul was talking as if He would be giving Her the ace grilling which didn’t eventuate i suspect out of Henry’s fear that Haare would vocally carve Him up in a serious fashion on His own show,
What had me Laughing out Loud was the ‘interview’ Henry did with fellow media ‘personality’ Patrick ‘Alfred E Nuemann’ Gower befor Lailla was present,
The boys own club of TV3 couldn’t but help feed off each other in a bout of inanities which, and, you will have to excuse the gross expression here, had me thinking of the pair of them as ”giving each other a public verbal hand-job on air”…
I hate to look like someone who holds a grudge, bad, but I must once again insist on a retraction of your false accusations about my opinions on abortion and eugenics.
The crap you posted yesterday was nothing more than an attempt to dodge the fact that you made up a quote to smear me and sneered at me for challenging its veracity – when your only excuse was “oh whoops you never used the word “poverty” but that’s still how I ~feel~ your statements were.” http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-10082014/#comment-864008
You can also explain, like you said you would, why you felt it necessary to introduce lies about my opinions on a completely different topic into an argument about strategic voting.
Yes, wait five stephanie i am sure i will get around to answering your latest stalk,
First tho i will go back a couple of days and read the Moderators Note that advises
me that you are Protected to a certain extent from my comments thus in debating with you at any time from the point of that Moderation on carries a certain Risk to at least me as a commenter and perhaps others,
SO, a wiser choice of comment from Me to you would seem to be, ”Yawn”………..!
[Stephanie: Allow me to assist you. lprent said “it is inadvisable to continue to attack [an author] on the basis of what she did not say, or what you choose to place as the meaning on those words.” It is linked in the exact comment you are responding to.
Now you are accusing me of “stalking” you. Stalking is a serious matter which shouldn’t be used as shorthand for me expecting you not to tell lies about me. Consider this a moderator warning that you either back up your claim, retract it in full, or take some time off.]
[Stephanie: banned until the end of the year for abuse.]
[lprent: Interesting reading the comments in the spam bucket. bad very clearly doesn’t want to come back. And he really really seems to want to an increase. Lets double that, and carry on doing so each time I see one of those comments. I’ll harden up the effectiveness of the ban somewhat as well. ]
Do you really think you impotent little arsehole that you can actually keep me from commenting on here,
[deleted]
[karol: off to moderation]
[lprent: Actually I can stop you being able to read the site if I choose to. I have chopped out the entire range of IPs from your location from your current ISP from reading the site. I guess it is time for you to find a new ISP to get the attention you crave.
And if you make it past that shield, in answer to your question, it takes time to make sure. I didn’t want to affect anyone apart from you. I had to scan the stored encrypted logs to find out other lurkers who could be impacted and carefully craft the barrier around them.
I don’t expect a reply – because if I see one, then I’ll simply reject another range of IPs. Somehow I don’t think that bad12 is up to spambot standards. And we now have a permanent ban. ]
Yeshe, I can only assure you that the kind of shit bad12 was saying in comments which weren’t published would change your mind about his ability to settle things amicably.
“I can only assure you that the kind of shit bad12 was saying in comments which weren’t published would change your mind about his ability to settle things amicably.”
I can imagine, and bet it wasn’t pretty. I, like I bet DC would also be, am sorry for that. 😉
I don’t see much wrong in the occasional p an q, but there’s always a moral line in the sand. It’s a shame bad felt compelled to cross it over an internet fall out, to save face, because he got caught out bullshitting.
Still, plenty more in the sea and all that (I’m looking at you pu) cough lol.
sometimes it’s the only power some people feel they have to make their point… It’s as much (to me) about people trying to be heard as it is “vandalism”.
The effigy burning and general defacing of National billboards is a sign of the hatred which the current government is creating with its war on the poor.
Expect more scenes like this Mr Key. You have created this atmosphere.
Laila shouldn’t be so defensive. This is democracy and we should be proud of the youth making their feelings known.
Antisemitic term used in hate speech from a Labour MP.
Antisemitic statements against Act and National coming out of Young Labour in May.
Green Party members endorsing Hitler posters with Keys face.
Left wing commentator and ex Green Party worker Gordon Campbell has a go at Key for being Jewish.
A German who collects Nazi memorabilia encourages hate chants, then use them as an advertisement.
Quite a pattern forming. Look under the carpet with a few google searches, and you’ll find it’s much more widespread than the small number of examples above. Including on this site.
His own mouth. “Every so often”. Numerous photos, Slater openly invited to National Party private boxes, etc etc.
The outpouring of hatred against Key and National concerns me as much as the regular day-to-day hatred they foster and encourage, I just have a better understanding of the source than you do.
The outpouring of hatred against Key and National concerns me as much as the regular day-to-day hatred they foster and encourage, I just have a better understanding of the source than you do.
That would explain John Keys massive personal popularity and Nationals popularity that Labour can only dream of
So it’s ok for a Prime Minister to openly encourage hate speech so long as he’s popular. Those are some lovely antique ethics you’ve got there. Are they for sale?
Your hostility towards him means nothing to me one way or the other: he’s a sideshow and I note your failure to find a substantive rebuttal to my ethical challenge. I’ll go further, when your team does it you approve of the whole nasty bag of tricks: hate speech, smears, up to and including violence.
Where was your outrage at the bullet holes in Hone Harawira’s office? Live with it.
Democracy? Of course it is: the billboard is a monologue, defacing it is a dialogue.
That doesn’t make it the right thing to do, Fisiani, before you deceitfully accuse the Left of something based on one anonymous bloke’s opinion. Obviously it’s hurtful and destructive, as well as in some cases being creative and hilarious.
You’ve sat on your hands while the Prime Minister has encouraged Slater’s methods all this time. These are your rules these kids are playing by.
Gotta say, it does look like younger folk stooping… They do as others do, not as they say… I wonder how many of them come from homes that love mr key. So in that respect, well said OAB
anti semitic = wrong but saying haree takes dotcoms money in return for sex = ok
So you approve of racist vandalism. What is your limit in your quest to “taking the country back? Do you approve of violence as well?
You have the freedom to speak but not the freedom to deface. It is not a childish prank it is criminal damage.The Left are simply appalling when it comes to democracy.
Given that most New Zealanders are reasonable people I do wonder about the impact of your negativity and criminality. I suspect it generates Votes for Team Key
Economic vandalism of NZ by National is a hell of a lot more serious crime than a few Hitler moustaches.
And on the subject of racist vandalism which to me is epitomised by the fact that National have followed a monetary policy that has caused further deprivation to the poorer in our society who include a disproportionate number of the Tangata Whenua, – I say No, I don’t approve of racist vandalism, no matter what form it takes.
Yes, horrible isn’t it? What do you think of the role he plays in inciting hatred across the country, both with policies (passive incitement) and association with Mr. Slater (active incitement)?
“The effigy burning and general defacing of National billboards is a sign of the hatred which the current government is creating with its war on the poor”
Otherwise all traces of freedom of speech are banished by this Government control NatZis.
This site The Standard and The daily Blog are the only ways we can get our collective opposition messages out there because we can’t via the fascist corporate controlled MSM that is a contorted Joyce Key media.
I think one point some are missing is a sense of powerlessness. People deface property, espesh billboards, cos they want to be heard. If you feel you have no other way to be heard…
The right hear themselves constantly through people like hoots on radio and in media and farrar in print… That has an element of empowerment for right voters.
xox.
Labour candidate Steven Gibson, and Shylock reference. Do Labour vet their candidates for general knowledge? Is this the best Labour can find? Not a good look and ammunition for RWNJ’S, and RNZ’S Espiner.
I’ve stopped reading / watching all pro-Tory biased media in this country, which wipes out anything published by FairFax or APN as well as most TVNZ news programmes and a lot of TV3, with the notable exception of John Campbell.
Removing these from my news feed has had two effects: Firstly, it makes my life better as I’m not constantly exposed to bullshit and propaganda. Secondly, it makes my news feed basically empty…
The major effect that I noticed about stopping watching TV news is that I now had to go out and look for it and this resulted in me having to think about it rather than being a passive ‘consumer’ of it. And the result of that is that I’ve become more discerning and critical of what I read.
This is a great side-effect, and one I’ve experienced myself.
When you have access to a (basically…) limitless set of viewpoints, it becomes really obvious how orchestrated the supposedly “balanced” panel discussions actually are. When you have “expert panelists” who effectively represent two sides of the same coin – like “Democrat” and “Republican” – that’s not actually balance. That’s a charade.
I’m aghast at the efforts to frame all debates in terms of “left” and “right”, or “right” and “wrong”, or “freedom” and “terrorism.” The reality of these things is far more complicated, but if you present two viewpoints on TV that’s implicitly suggesting that those are the only two viewpoints worth considering. And sadly many people believe that that’s the case.
Why don’t you have the radio on then? At least that is designed to be on in the background enabling you to do other stuff. The TV is designed to be watched.
To Phillip ure,
“Why do you watch it (TV1) + RNZ) given you have stated you no longer listen to Morning Report because of the supposed bias there?”
But we have sympathy for political junkies, and they do have a valid use as “monitors” like the wars when the British intelligence eavesdropped on the NAZIs Reichstag to see what they were saying.
But for our part we heeded Phillip ure’s boycott of TV 1 and feel better for it as we assume others also did.
Much less stress watching/listening to TV3 than the NatZ contolled TV1 and RNZ.
“cunnliffe closed that right down in his aformentioned appearance on breakfast”
I saw and like that Phil. Liked the way he told Pugh before she started
” I know what you are going to ask”, and then told her the answer.
First bloody class left her speechless. Then the main course Harre getting stuck into Christie
which he did not like
Ha Ha fucking ha Not before time someone took this tax funded broadcaster to task about their blatant bias..
another layer in the humour of that one was in the only pro-harre email read completely out.
….the email noted how craven christie is around key..never questions him..always gives him the last word..(i paraphrase there..they were much more erudite..)
..and christies’ answer to what was an indictment of him/his interviewing (non)-skills..?
..he said:..’but we let david cunnliffe do the same thing..we just had him on’..(!)
..absolutely no defence offered to that savaging of him..his work..
..and right now..christie is whining/wheedling/moaning..wriggling in his seat…still attacking harre..
..(and they still have not replayed the piece of the interview where harre holds tvnz to account for their role in the effigy-burning lies told by key..
..he is such a liar..that key..eh..?..)
..christie after harre..is a bit like the romans after their first encounter with boadicea..
Philj @ 4. I doubt Labour vet their candidate for knowledge of Shakespeare’s plays. I take it you are not suggesting they do?
The man was pulled up rightly so by DC. Given a very tough warning. And apologized profusely once he was informed of the meaning of his comment. WHAT MORE DO YOU WANT!
TV1 has now cloned all staff as pundits for NatZ policy plankers.
Ban watching them for your stress/health’s sake.
We call on;
ALL OPPOSITION PARTIES TO FORM AN ALLIANCE TO BOYCOTT THE CONINUANCE OF THIS SHAM ELECTION PROCESS AND ORDER A STOP TO THE ELECTION CLOCK FOR A MONTH UNTIL 25TH OCTOBER, AND HOLD AN ENQUIRY INTO ;
WHY NO FAIR PUBLIC SERVICE FUNDED MEDIA FACILITIES WERE GIVEN FOR OPPOSITION PARTIES TO SPEAK TO THE ELECTORATE AHEAD OF ELECTION DAY TO GIVE THE VOTER REASONABLE INFORMED CONSENT OF ALL THEIR POLICIES AND OUR CHOICES.
[lprent: don’t SHOUT. It is annoying. I will only correct your behaviour and diminish the volume once. ]
Could be worth it, one good account I have seen him give of himself was on Gaza on Q&A several weeks back, any Palestinian advocate would have been pushed to fault it, he called the place an open air prison etc.
Inherent in a story today to be found in the Granny Heralds online version is a tale of what is really wrong in New Zealand society today,
7 or 8000 Plods are employed to in part protect us all from ‘organized crime’ and most of what they seem to uncover is if the ongoing trail of news stories is anything to go by anything but organized,
Here’s ‘organized crime’ the ‘criminal’ allowed to then use the court system in what can only be described as ‘vexatious litigation’ to avoid any responsibility, it is abhorrent that the person indulging in this behavior is not locked up in a jail cell instead of being allowed by the system for 14 years to use His ill gotten gains in a series of court actions designed to simply avoid responsibility,
”Between the 1970’s and 2000, Russel established what the court of appeal has said was an Elaborate maze like structure of companies, partners, and trusts, AND provided advice on how others could Avoid tax through their participation in the ”Russel Template”,
”It, (IRD), reassessed Russel’s personal income and said He should have declared $15.76 Million between 1985 and 2000 instead of $298,000,
The original bill was around 5 million,(in unpaid taxes), but penalties and interest inflated it,(while Russel has continued to use the courts to avoid responsibility),
All of them, Russell and everyone of His ‘clients’ who He deliberately helped to evade due taxation should have been asset stripped just s any common crim has occur to them at the point where the crime was identified,
These people, tax accountants and tax lawyers dreaming up these schemes are not isolated cases, they are ongoing organized criminal networks,
In a similar Wellington case of the same nature last year it was shown that even tax accountants who refused to operate outside of the law knew of such illegal schemes and while refusing to be an active part of them happily ‘funneled’ clients to them…
I hope Greg Presland ( lawyer) is down on his knees to David Cunliffe for letting the jewish slur trip up a good Labour week
It is all about perception and a steady build up of positives that will carry the day
I am not suggesting he wrote this just that he should have aware of the damage it might cause
Added to the cock up over the “secret trust” and you have to question his judgement
David Cuncliffe’s handling of the slur was excellent
Ray, Shylock was the name of a ”cruel and heartless lender” in a Shakespearean play and while the particular character in the play penned by Shakespeare was cast as being Jewish the term Shylock is not necessarily confined to those of that religious faith,
i doubt that Shakespear intended to portray to His audiences that the term shylock should only pertain to Jewish moneylenders and when giving its definition of the term my Collins English Dictionary makes no mention of the Jewish faith,
Thus while being factually incorrect when assigning to Slippery the Prime Minister the term Shylock, in His present guise He apparently is not one, in correct English it is not racist for the particular candidate to have applied the term,
Shyster, which addresses the actions of Politicians is therefor a more fitting expletive to attach to the PM…
Beg to differ – it was no accident that the money-lender in the Merchant of Venice was a Jew – and the term has become synonymous with Jewish usury. Like the Fagan character in Dickens – it was a caricatured stereotype of the devious money-grubbing Jew.
If you use the term Shylock about someone with Jewish heritage it is very hard to claim it is anything other than offensive.
Jews became money lenders because it suited both Muslims and Christians to have them carry out that function – and they were then reviled for it. I would never underestimate the longevity, depth and complexity of anti-semitism in our culture.
His jewishness was part of his character because he often harks to his persecution at the hands of christians to justify or explain his uglier traits. There are multiple aspects to shylock. His jewishness, or a kind of comedic parody of jewishness is one part of his character.
It wouldnt surprise me if the labour candidate used the wrong word and meant shyster
Because he didn’t take down the post himself/scold Gibson. Of course if he’d taken down the post and Kiwiblog had the screencap the story would be “Cunliffe ally covering up for anti-Semitic candidate” and if he’d scolded him the story would be “Cunliffe ally tries to silence candidate with inconvenient opinions” so, you know, buggered no matter what you do.
I think National’s strategy has become clear – they’re going to spend the entire election campaign whining to cover up their lack of policy.
Perhaps John Key should check things he gets from Slater a little more carefully next time – but wait, what am I saying? With NZ’s media, he doesn’t need to bother.
Looks like Key’s top drawer (a.k.a. Cameron Slater) is open and the Nats are going for yet another substance-free election campaign.
They’re asking Kiwis to give them a third term in which to do nothing (or nothing they will tell you about) on the basis that they can whine, cry and kick up a stink like a two year old.
Defacing election hoardings is nothing new. The fact it’s more visible this time illustrates the depth of feeling against #Teamkey and the increase in numbers wanting this government out.
Pucklish if for one minute you think Whaleoil is a credible source, you have serious issues. Maybe for gutter press, but as a source of what the left is thinking – grow up, no one from the left will talk to Mr Hate.
And two, look around bro, all the hoardings are being attacked, the Mana ones are the ones I see defaced the most here in Auckland. Lincon road, had each and every billboard demolished over the weekend. I’ve heard similar stories from other roads across the region.
Finally, it’s a bit rich the right wing accusing the left of racism, or Anti-Semitism. Seriously, have a look at jail figures, job rates, unemployment. Me thinks your might want to look at one of your own, she who has issues within the PM and staunch supporter of whaleoil. Scratch that poll, dear ya!
Hey Adam its photgraphs, you don’t need to read the opinion pieces but of course a pictures worth a thousand words and it shows the nasty strain of anti-semitism just below the surface of the left so I can understand why you don’t want to read it
And photo’s can’t be staged? I’ve done it for advertising, promotions, etc.
Come now Puckish, have you got evidence it was done by people you say it was done by? I could and will say it was done by the national front. A organisation with a track history in this country of Anti-Semitism. They have in the past used anti-Semitic remarks, actions and violence in public, they seem the obvious choice to me.
Evil, yes lets talk – 270,00 kids in poverty, slave type wages, massive youth unemployment, and a economy based on earthquakes and milk powder. But no, you do evils job, and blame the other side who want to talk about these issues by name calling and accusations. Evil is, what evil does.
“3.Evil, yes lets talk – 270,00 kids in poverty, slave type wages, massive youth unemployment, and a economy based on earthquakes and milk powder. But no, you do evils job, and blame the other side who want to talk about these issues by name calling and accusations. Evil is, what evil does.”
I know the left love using emotion and hyperbole as an arguement but this is NZ not some despotic, tyranical fascist state as you’d like it to be
If it was then you wouldn’t have nut bars sharing the stage with the PM, you wouldn’t have KDC still in the country and you wouldn’t have scrote bags running around chanting f**k John Key
PR so National supporters wrecking left leaning bill boards are a superior class of vandal given they are supposed to be better educated better manners etc.
election bill boards have been a target of derision for as long as i can remember!
Its become a sport a National pastime !
Nah Pukish, all that crap would show is how pathetic Whalespew and the rest of your pigshit thick inbred mates are. I used to think you fuckwits made stuff up, but now I think you actually believe the rubbish you all spout.
If you want a nasty and vicious campaign then by amm means take this attitude. Be aware that there is likely to be a counterpunch at some point though.
the middle is not being pushed away and I think you will find that National saying that Dotcom is their best asset means the opposite. If you think about it.
That’s like saying the middle is not in the middle.
The fact that Labour might need the support of a convicted conman, fraudster and embezzler who ran porn sites, makes rape jokes, and whose policies are all about avoiding extradition to face justice, won’t scare moderate voters away.
You’re missing the point, (apart from the fact that Dotcom isn’t standing) which is that National might need the help of an incest supporting racist skinhead or Colin the moonbeam. At least Cunliffe has ruled IMP out of cabinet.
The difference is National has the numbers to make minor parties largely irrelevant.
Labour has little choice but to embrace every extreme left party that they can.
Peters has ruled out working with IMP and Maori Party, so without a big poll swing to Labour /Greens, the next govt will be Nat. Failing that, it will be Nat / NZ First.
You talk like national didn’t have to cosy up to an election fraudster this parliamentary term, just to get their flagship policy through the House. And they’re less popular this election than they were last election.
Top Marks Tracy, try how many times Key has been caught with lies? 150+ and counting.
It’s a game he plays all about the art of deception and Key is the best example of this around.
Bought a millionaire and got a shokey.
The billboard stuff is getting a bot out of hand. I use to smack these over when younger… Or try flying through them, but I never wrote stuff like we see today. I never wrote anything in fact
On television news the other evening, two Asian politicians were approached regarding Peters’ Chinese “joke”.
One was National List mp Melissa Lee.
I understand Melissa Lee is Korean, but may be mistaken.
Were the reporters looking at physical characteristics to determine who should be approached for comment?
Cameron Slater I expect. If not racist then he’s certainly inciting bigotry against somebody. What do you think of the Prime Minister’s active encouragement of this? How do you like the way it makes your complaints about random acts of hostility sound hollow and dishonest?
…don’t want to put too fine a point on it but actually Judith Collins holds that position.
Lee, according to Wiki is “As of 2011 she is Parliamentary Private Secretary for Ethnic Affairs under Judith Collins.”
A Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS) New Zealand Member of Parliament (MP) designated by a senior minister in government or shadow minister to act as the minister’s contact with MPs. This role is junior to that of Parliamentary Under-Secretary, which is a ministerial post, salaried by one or more departments.
I will remind all the right wingers who are upset about the Left’s ‘dirty tactics’, what was said and written about Helen Clark prior to and in the build up to the election that gifted John Key to a grateful nation (that’s sarcasm in case you don’t recognise it) – a lot of it was viciously misogynistic and personally cruel – some of it entered the realm of hate speech.
The worst things I’ve read about JK’s Jewish heritage have come from the section of the right wing which is so mired in anti-semitism it cannot bring itself to even pretend to support Jews and Israel – unlike the mainstream Right which has suddenly discovered it loves Jews – well, prefers them to Arabs.
The Right’s current championing of all things Jewish would be amusing if it wasn’t so sinister – how come they didn’t and don’t support the socialist secularists in Israel who want to live in peace with their Arab neighbours – they’re Jewish too.
I cringed when I heard the Labour candidate claim not to have known the anti-semitic origins of the term Shylock. To defend a bad political move by claiming to be an ignoramus is not a good look – but Cunliffe handled it well. Personally I’d have given the bloke the boot and tell him to go home and do some serious reading.
I’ve heard Shylock used in popular culture, on TV shows like Justified and Rebba. In both instances it was to describe the Dixie Mafia and their money leading habits. I’m pretty sure the Dixie Mafia won’t allow Jews or people of colour into their organisation. Just an observation into irony, that the right slip into over the top political correctness when ever they feel threatened.
I seem to remember when I was younger being in dust ups with neo-nazi right wing loony bags. I seem to recall that the national front have held rallies and marches in Christchurch and elsewhere. I seem to recollect that more bat shit crazy right wing loons sprayed nazi and other symbols on the Jewish grave yard in Auckland. Just wondering, why the right thinks it can deflect the all this crap to left wing supporters – when obviously, there house, has such clean hands?
You have a very poor memory. For many non-partisan voters it was the defining moment of the 2008 campaign. The point at which a lot of middle voters saw Clark being unpleasant, dishonest and tired for the first time. It was an “oh well, maybe it is time for a change” moment. Every incumbent eventually has one.
That domestic violence quib, is a piece added by the blogger, not what Clark said. Her jibe was “You might be used to shouting people down at home, but you are not shouting me down.”.
Please let me say again – Just an observation into irony, that the right slip into over the top political correctness when ever they feel threatened.
Thank you, I’m glad you agree the right has been slipping into over the top political correctness of late.
Helen got it wrong with her statement, that is something she has to live with. But to extrapolate it to Helen accusing Key of domestic violence, is over the top. Seriously, stop and reflect on that. It was a inappropriate jibe, nothing more, nothing less.
Was it Helen who cut funding to Women’s refuge was it?
You must have been appalled when key said someone being a victim of attempted rape wasnt a serious issue, thus reneging on his promise to apologise if he knew her name?
I agree. MFAT should have appointed someone senior to hand hold the complainant thru the news reports and legal process. McCully or Key should have apologised for the poor way in which the issue has been handled.
Would have been the right thing to do but also would have been good politics too. Did Key really say “attempted rape is not a serious issue” or are you inferring that from his lack of an apology?
BTW I don’t think the Clark comment was that sinister in itself, no more or less sinister than whats been going on in this campaign, I really only point it out as another example of stupid comments that take on a life of their own and ultimately sometimes have an outsize effect on an election. I think with Clark it was the dischord of such a stupid, dishonest remark being made by her when she very rarely made a public miscalculation.
And with the IMP I suspect the posturing may well shore up an IMP vote to 3% but if it scares 5% away from Labour to NZ first or National then it is a bad thing for the left.
Hone, on Backbenches, said there were more important things to talk about. The next day he apologised and said it was wrong of him to say that and he hadn’t meant to trivialise her situation.
Key said he would apologise to the victim but he just didn’t know her name, and if he knew her name he definitely totally would. Then when he knew her name he refused, on the grounds that it wasn’t serious enough.
Yeah dude, totally worth trying to draw a parallel there…
“I think all of the media, their heads should roll for making a fuss about bugger all. There’s kids starving in this country, there’s a whole lot of issues that we need to be dealing with right here right now.”
It’s sweet though. He apologised and didn’t mean to initially trivilise the issue in the slightest.
So lets not get confused about who said what because I am sure if the above had been said by, say, anyone from National you’d accept that they had meant that there were more important things to talk about and they apologised and said it was wrong of them to say that and they hadn’t meant to trivialise her situation.
Obviously inventing a new definition for “trounced”.
‘s ok. Language is a dinimic invirimint. And I can always find another linguist with an opposite opinion, except when you ask me to, when suddenly I can’t.
No, Clark tried to save face by saying he was expected to do poorly and because he merely held his own it looked like he’d won, the truth was Key defeated Clark and made her lose her cool
Your “oh look I’ve got a new handle” perspective of history is nothing to be trusted. Go look at what was being said at the time. He was considered a lightweight.
And no, there was no trouncing. He made it through the debate, and then he just squeaked through the election.
And while I’m here – these headlines Headlines on Xtra yesterday – just about sum up the insane world we live in.
‘Kate Middelton’s brother making edible selflies’ – the clever little chap has set up a business printing Instagram snaps on marshmallows.
And,
‘Australian Boy in shocking Syrian picture’ – a young boy, reportedly the son of an Australian jihadist in Syria, is seen posing with a Syrian soldier’s head. The story is that Syrian government soldiers captured by the Islamic State jihadists are beheaded and their heads impaled on fences or used as props in pictures that the righteous upholders of Islam post on Twitter and Facebook.
(It’s funny how these maniacal anti-westerners are so into western media and imagery – e.g. the images of them posing in camp gear, legs spread in front of a dick extension (car) holding a dick extension (gun) in each hand – how much more junk-American could you get?)
I detest all men of violence and all proselytising religious fundamentalists but I especially detest the sociopathic arseholes who cynically manipulate them.
So – why are we suddenly seeing these horrifying images splashed all over the internet (on some Christian fundy sites they’re in all their gory glory, on MSM sites the heads are tastefully blocked out) – could it be to do with the Abbott government’s plans to introduce changes to the anti-terrorism laws? You know – the ones that aim at broadening the listing criteria for terrorist organisations, lowering the threshold for arrest without warrant for terrorism offences, extending police and intelligence agencies’ powers to stop, question and detain suspects, and making it easier for the Australian federal police to seek control orders on people returning from fighting abroad.
The Muslim community in Australia is justifiably appalled at the implications of these changes – so how useful to have proof of Australian jihadists involved in heinous war crimes.
So sad. R.I.P Robin Williams – you were such a high energy character. A talented comedian, also an astute observer of humanity.
What a day, I am honouring the memory of friend who suicided last year. Today is her anniversary.
Off to the Gaza talk soon. Geez. Might have to take time out to give thanks for life and the light that we all carry within, the lantern of hope and steadfastness.
“John Key’s best-case scenario has always been one of mass political somnambulance: in which hundreds of thousands of voters, convinced by the pollsters and their journalistic interpreters that the election was already won, would march, zombielike, into the polling-booths and make the media’s prophecies come true. Kim Dotcom’s unparalleled ability to disturb and disrupt has put this fantastical scenario to the sword. Even worse (from John Key’s perspective) the political spell he has cast cannot now be recalled.”
Small parties without prospect of ever being in a position to formulate the core policies of the state are free to promise voters the diplomatically and economically impossible. The leaders of parties large enough to make a difference have a duty to accept the responsibilities of power.
Neither do I. Nor would I want to see a responsible Labour administration hamstrung and blackmailed by two bit little parties with limited appeal and narrow political harakiri inducing agenda who have nothing much to lose as they can simply put the boot and blame on the main party when the distraught fearful voters kick then out just after a term, gain more ‘feel good’ sympathy and steal lots more party votes off it.
Smaller the party vote to the smaller parties and smaller the tail, the better, in my carefully considered opinion.
That is why I will be giving both my votes to Labour this time.
That article of his was about land sales to foreigners which seemingly the majority of voters want to stop. Trotters position was that the larger parties should ignore this large majority of voters and do what they choose is best which is dictatorship and not democracy.
It’s got nothing to do with the smaller parties except that, by agreeing with the majority of voters, they’ll likely to become bigger.
I challenge any readers to look at Kiwiblog and the poll of polls graph published today. The graph speaks volumes.The Labour high point was September 13 when there was a leadership challenge. Look at the trend, the oh so important trend as people have got to know The Cunliffe. The optimism here in the face of facts could power the grid. What evidence is there of a groundswell upsurge to Labour. What makes anyone think that The Cunliffe will soundly trounce John Key in the TV debates. What evidence is there that people want an unstable coalition propped up by the extremists Harawira, Harre, Sykes and Minto?
Do you think the Labour TV ads will trounce the superb National ones.
National wants as many Party Votes as possible and some here will soon see the light and prove that they love New Zealand and will choose to give a positive vote to National the only Party who are Working for New Zealand.
me either. Petula Clarke immediately sprung to mind: A-wishing and a-hoping…..
actually when that sprang to mind – so did Populuxe1, and I needed a lay down after perusing his recent expert opinion on all and everything; life and the universe; sugar daddies et al.
If the tide has turned as you and Trotter believe then the next poll will surely show National at about 43% Labour at 33% Greens 10% and IM 5% with Winston still being the kingmaker.
My prediction for the election more along the lines of National 48% Labour 26% Greens 9% and IM 2%. I do not think that National will poll over 50%. They will still require support parties.
It is too late to dump The Cunliffe. Shearer could probably have won. See you in 2017.
I’d still like the numbers, though, given that the confidence of a dude who thought banks would walk out of court an innocent man isn’t worth all that much.
no, you didn’t. You said he wouldn’t be found guilty.
As to the other “predictions”, yeah, right. You’re like someone who flips a coin and predicts heads every time, and claims he’s a seer because he’s correct about half the time.
If that were to happen I would probably say something like “fuck”, because the country will continue going down the toilet.
Whereas if key is out on his arse, you’d be sad about not being able to live at the expense of your long-suffering fellow citizens, as well as suddenly finding out that you don’t know half as much as you think you do.
fisi-the problem is that even the most recent poll dates from (on average) about 3 weeks ago. I have sensed a change even in those 3 weeks with Labour’s good launch, good policies from the Greens and Labour, Joyce’s arrogant/rude performance and the rise and rise of IMP.
But I agree it would take a couple of good polls for the left for this to be confirmed. A new Roy Morgan must be pretty close.
A sense…I’ve sensed that Nationals support is strengthening due to people getting more of an idea of what KDC is really like and Labour rolling policies that people see for the unaffordable bribes they are
Again were, were is the evidence. I see two young men who smashed up some signs. BFW. Their politics is not mentions in piece – your making assumptions. With all the ass that brings.
Smashed up National signs only and, being that they look like small town bogans, they look like IMP or Green party voters (if they could drag themselves out of bed early enough to vote before the polls close that is)
Assumptions after the national signs thing. Or is that prejudice? The right showing it’s true colours, and it’s out and out hatred of working class whites – me thinks, yes.
Hey it’s weird how there’s all these disenfranchised young people who hate John Key, eh? The wealthy baby-boomers who set the parameters for political discourse have been telling us for years that they don’t exist.
Good for you. When I was young I was selfish and thought nothing much mattered beyond the rights of the individual. One individual in particular, of course. 😉
A lot of young people are like that though. The neoliberal philosophies of National and ACT are little more than a teenager’s perspective of society. Pissing and moaning about cleaning your room as if it’s the greatest injustice on earth to have to tidy up after yourself, while expecting full and unfettered access to everything in the fridge by virtue of your mere existence.
But you live and you learn. I wouldn’t say it was a dream to be woken from – that’s a facile way to describe the never-ending, confusing, sometimes joyous and sometimes terrifying process of discovering what is and isn’t important.
” Pissing and moaning about cleaning your room as if it’s the greatest injustice on earth to have to tidy up after yourself, while expecting full and unfettered access to everything in the fridge by virtue of your mere existence.”
Just a couple of scrote bag lefties that were stupid enough to be caught but the reality is most people don’t hate National most people in fact like National, just a minority of drop kicks that can’t understand why everyone doesn’t think likee they do
And what do the faces of defacers of Labour billboards look like? I think I can tell you; as I put up a billboard to get jeered at by a ute load of good young farming stock driving by- “That won’t last the night.”
It didn’t. It disappeared. Stolen. From another farmer’s property.
So what do they look like? Well, at least the dog on the back of the ute looked intelligent.
Yeah but in a huge gathering in public and break a few of Keys fascist laws on all those public protest of a few years ago regarding Austerity in acted by “by the powers Powers “.Bloody prick should have been done for treason .
Cheers
Matt McCarten’s assumption that this policy would be loved is shown as just a cynical attempt to win office by giving a few dollars to middle to rich income pensioners. Given that most pensioners see the GP just 4 times year they might save just $200/year. but why give $200 to the super rich. This is not a policy it’s just a failed bribe. Kiwis are not stupid they can see when Labour is trying to con them.
Hoi! I am on Super and not rich. Cost about $50 plus $15 for Prescription. Would welcome this.
On the other hand there are many much worse off than me.
And the very rich could just use their private insurance and go to their pet GP and leave the free visits for others more needy.
I be a lucky chap.
Funny how rightwing Kiwis have 20/20 vision when it comes to a Labour policy that subsidises health care for pensioners but are as blind as moles when it comes to National’s tax cuts for the already rich.
A lot of pensioners are very poor – I don’t know where you live Fisiani but I see loads of older people in the supermarket counting every thing they put in the trolley trying to make their pittance cover the escalating cost of living. A lot of pensioners put off going to the doctor because they simply can’t afford the doctor’s fee and the cost and effort of getting there. Some have to go every 3 months to have prescriptions for controlled drugs renewed which doctors use as an opportunity to give a general check up.
As to your worry that this policy is giving money to the already rich – most rich pensioners are likely to vote National, which is the self professed guardian of the public purse, so, as good National supporters and responsible citizens they should pay for their GP visits or claim on their insurance thus saving the funding for the pensioners who need it.
what depresses me at the moment is seeing pensioners delivering junk mail, i saw an old guy the other day & he could barely walk delivering mail, its not a high paying job to say the least! its a cruel world if you are poor. fuck you national.
I applaud the move towards univeral rather than targeted benefits, which free primary care for pensioners and the family policies seem to be signalling.
Much less divisive and therefore more durable in terms of societal approval, especially for those in the middle who sit around the probable abatement levels.
Universal benefits at an entry level into services might(?) not that much more expensive than targeted benefits, given the administration costs of targeting.
Since National has put the price of prescriptions and doctors visits up it has probably given labour an extra 100,000 votes!
when those doctors visits are costing up to $100 per visit including multiple prescriptions its smart policy
Something that might speed things up is cutting the money political parties get to promote themselves and we as the voters just give them a day off on polling day and they can make and pay for the time they use on tv by using the broadcasting budget responsibly rather than sending their employees on unnecessary trips around the country, thats both the parties and broadcasters terribly boring but so is listening to a load of brainless posturing by politicians when we could have a few sessions on the manifestos of each party reviewed by some political “experts” on television of course it will take hrs because of the advertising but may be Crosby Textor could shut down the advertising for Key so that we might get a modicom of reality in this election and the tax payer funded usage of television time, yes some companies do pay tax ,might actually be worth something ,it mite even start the use of television as a tool for community education cause even the net is getting pretty fucked with the amount of stuff being censored and unbelievable time consuming sites that tell you next to nothing of value
Good Stuff!
Last night there was a great little program on Maori TV looking at the influence of Polls.
Lead by Stacey Morrison (good!) with Gavin White UMR, Prof Thomas Lumley, and Winston.
Winston was very informed and raised some of the issues discussed here in the past.
“Re-Think examines the role of political polls in our democratic system and looks hard at claims that they may not be accurate and can have an influence in the election outcomes.” http://www.maoritelevision.com/tv/shows/re-think/S01E012/re-think-series-1-episode-12
<30minutes long.
It’s great to see Israelis and Jews outside Israel refusing to join Bibi’s ride to destruction. The fact that they are doing this will also help stem the anti-semitism that sometimes grows among people who are pro-peace and pro-Palestinian. As far as I know, the movements against war have existed for a long time in Israel, but have not been reported. With the rise of social media, the news is getting out.
Meanwhile in Britain, Zionists march with fascists such as the BNP and extremists such as UKIP, united by a hatred of Muslims. Things seem to be polarising, just like the 1930s.
That’s funny, Winston First began 6 years before Frank Perry got involved. I seem to remember Winston raving on about the mansions in Howick from somewhere around the beginning. Still, I don’t take stuff you write at face value, so no harm done.
To Gosman,
Puckish rougue
Fiscani.
You are all are NatZ spinners.
How much does mister Key and co pay you?
I need a job. Maybe I as a senior I could make some easy money too?
You see I am a disadvantaged disabled pensioner that can hardly afford to live on the pittance my pension gives us to live on so I want to know how much are they paying for this job of yours?
I cant even afford to get my teeth fixed so maybe you can help me get some easy money you’re making?
Felix, I see Darren Watson’s FB page about the police telling a radio station to not play his Planet Key song is down. As is Watson’s FB page. I don’t use FB, but is that normal if someone is say removing content? Did anyone take a copy last night?
ABSTRACT
In a capitalist economy, taxes are the most significant instrument by which the political system can put into practice a conception of economic justice. But conventional ideas about what constitutes tax fairness–found in the vigorous debates about tax policy going on in political and public policy circles, in economics and law–are misguided. In particular, the emphasis on distributing the tax burden relative to pretax income is a fundamental mistake. Taxation does not take from people what they already own. Property rights are the product of a set of laws and conventions, of which the tax system forms a central part, so the fairness of taxes can’t be evaluated by their impact on preexisting entitlements. Pretax income has no independent moral significance. Standards of justice should be applied not to the distribution of tax burdens but to the operation and results of the entire framework of economic institutions. The result is an entirely different understanding of a host of controversial issues, such as the estate tax, the tax treatment of marriage, “flat” versus progressive taxes, consumption versus income taxes, tax cuts for the wealthy, and negative income taxes for the poor.
Sounds like a must read book for those of us interested in a better economic system.
Buzz from the Beehive Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters was bound to win headlines when he set out his thinking about AUKUS in his speech to the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. The headlines became bigger when – during an interview on RNZ’s Morning Report today – he criticised ...
The Post reports on how the government is refusing to release its advice on its corrupt Muldoonist fast-track law, instead using the "soon to be publicly available" refusal ground to hide it until after select committee submissions on the bill have closed. Fast-track Minister Chris Bishop's excuse? “It's not ...
As pressure on it grows, the livestock industry’s approach to the transition to Net Zero is increasingly being compared to that of fossil fuel interests. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / Getty ImagesTL;DR: Here’s the top five news items of note in climate news for Aotearoa-NZ this week, and a discussion above ...
The New Zealand Herald reports – Stats NZ has offered a voluntary redundancy scheme to all of its workers as a way to give staff some control over their “future” amidst widespread job losses in the public sector. In an update to staff this morning, seen by the Herald, Statistics New Zealand ...
On Werewolf/Scoop, I usually do two long form political columns a week. From now on, there will be an extra column each week about music and movies. But first, some late-breaking political events:The rise in unemployment numbers for the March quarter was bigger than expected – and especially sharp ...
David Farrar writes – The Herald reports: TVNZ says it is dealing with about 50 formal complaints over its coverage of the latest 1News-Verian political poll, with some viewers – as well as the Prime Minister and a former senior Labour MP – critical of the tone of the 6pm report. ...
Muriel Newman writes – When Meridian Energy was seeking resource consents for a West Coast hydro dam proposal in 2010, local Maori “strenuously” objected, claiming their mana was inextricably linked to ‘their’ river and could be damaged. After receiving a financial payment from the company, however, the Ngai Tahu ...
Alwyn Poole writes – “An SEP,’ he said, ‘is something that we can’t see, or don’t see, or our brain doesn’t let us see, because we think that it’s somebody else’s problem. That’s what SEP means. Somebody Else’s Problem. The brain just edits it out, it’s like a ...
Our trust in our political institutions is fast eroding, according to a Maxim Institute discussion paper, Shaky Foundations: Why our democracy needs trust. The paper – released today – raises concerns about declining trust in New Zealand’s political institutions and democratic processes, and the role that the overuse of Parliamentary urgency ...
This article was prepared for publication yesterday. More ministerial announcements have been posted on the government’s official website since it was written. We will report on these later today …. Buzz from the BeehiveThere we were, thinking the environment is in trouble, when along came Jones. Shane Jones. ...
New Zealand now has the fourth most depressed construction sector in the world behind China, Qatar and Hong Kong. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy at 8:46am on Thursday, May 2:The Lead: ...
Hi,I am just going to state something very obvious: American police are fucking crazy.That was a photo gracing the New York Times this morning, showing New York City police “entering Columbia University last night after receiving a request from the school.”Apparently in America, protesting the deaths of tens of thousands ...
Winston Peters’ much anticipated foreign policy speech last night was a work of two halves. Much of it was a standard “boilerplate” Foreign Ministry overview of the state of the world. There was some hardening up of rhetoric with talk of “benign” becoming “malign” and old truths giving way to ...
Graham Adams assesses the fallout of the Cass Review — The press release last Thursday from the UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls didn’t make the mainstream news in New Zealand but it really should have. The startling title of Reem Alsalem’s statement — “Implementation of ‘Cass ...
This open-for-business, under-new-management cliché-pockmarked government of Christopher Luxon is not the thing of beauty he imagines it to be. It is not the powerful expression of the will of the people that he asserts it to be. It is not a soaring eagle, it is a malodorous vulture. This newest poll should make ...
The latest labour market statistics, showing a rise in unemployment. There are now 134,000 unemployed - 14,000 more than when the National government took office. Which is I guess what happens when the Reserve Bank causes a recession in an effort to Keep Wages Low. The previous government saw a ...
Three opinion polls have been released in the last two days, all showing that the new government is failing to hold their popular support. The usual honeymoon experienced during the first year of a first term government is entirely absent. The political mood is still gloomy and discontented, mainly due ...
National's Finance Minister once met a poor person.A scornful interview with National's finance guru who knows next to nothing about economics or people.There might have been something a bit familiar if that was the headline I’d gone with today. It would of course have been in tribute to the article ...
Rob MacCulloch writes – Throughout the pandemic, the new Vice-Chancellor-of-Otago-University-on-$629,000 per annum-Can-you-believe-it-and-Former-Finance-Minister Grant Robertson repeated the mantra over and over that he saved “lives and livelihoods”.As we update how this claim is faring over the course of time, the facts are increasingly speaking differently. NZ ...
Chris Trotter writes – IT’S A COMMONPLACE of political speeches, especially those delivered in acknowledgement of electoral victory: “We’ll govern for all New Zealanders.” On the face of it, the pledge is a strange one. Why would any political leader govern in ways that advantaged the huge ...
Bryce Edwards writes – The list of former National Party Ministers being given plum and important roles got longer this week with the appointment of former Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett as the chair of Pharmac. The Christopher Luxon-led Government has now made key appointments to Bill ...
TL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy at 10:06am on Wednesday, May 1:The Lead: Business confidence fell across the board in April, falling in some areas to levels last seen during the lockdowns because of a collapse in ...
Over the past 36 hours, Christopher Luxon has been dong his best to portray the centre-right’s plummeting poll numbers as a mark of virtue. Allegedly, the negative verdicts are the result of hard economic times, and of a government bravely set out on a perilous rescue mission from which not ...
Auckland Transport have started rolling out new HOP card readers around the network and over the next three months, all of them on buses, at train stations and ferry wharves will be replaced. The change itself is not that remarkable, with the new readers looking similar to what is already ...
Completed reads for April: The Difference Engine, by William Gibson and Bruce Sterling Carnival of Saints, by George Herman The Snow Spider, by Jenny Nimmo Emlyn’s Moon, by Jenny Nimmo The Chestnut Soldier, by Jenny Nimmo Death Comes As the End, by Agatha Christie Lord of the Flies, by ...
On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
Have a story to share about St Paul’s, but today just picturesPopular novels written at this desk by a young man who managed to bootstrap himself out of father’s imprisonment and his own young life in a workhouse Read more ...
The list of former National Party Ministers being given plum and important roles got longer this week with the appointment of former Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett as the chair of Pharmac. The Christopher Luxon-led Government has now made key appointments to Bill English, Simon Bridges, Steven Joyce, Roger Sowry, ...
Newsroom has a story today about National's (fortunately failed) effort to disestablish the newly-created Inspector-General of Defence. The creation of this agency was the key recommendation of the Inquiry into Operation Burnham, and a vital means of restoring credibility and social licence to an agency which had been caught lying ...
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The unpopular coalition government is currently rushing to repeal section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act. The clause is Oranga Tamariki's Treaty clause, and was inserted after its systematic stealing of Māori children became a public scandal and resulted in physical resistance to further abductions. The clause created clear obligations ...
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It Takes A Train To Cry:Surely, there is nothing lonelier in all this world than the long wail of a distant steam locomotive on a cold Winter’s night.AS A CHILD, I would lie awake in my grandfather’s house and listen to the traffic. The big wooden house was only a ...
Packing A Punch: The election of the present government, including in its ranks politicians dedicated to reasserting the rights of the legislature in shaping and determining the future of Māori and Pakeha in New Zealand, should have alerted the judiciary – including its anomalous appendage, the Waitangi Tribunal – that its ...
Dead Woman Walking: New Zealand’s media industry had been moving steadily towards disaster for all the years Melissa Lee had been National’s media and communications policy spokesperson, and yet, when the crisis finally broke, on her watch, she had nothing intelligent to offer. Christopher Luxon is a patient man - but he’s not ...
Chris Trotter writes – New Zealand politics is remarkably easy-going: dangerously so, one might even say. With the notable exception of John Key’s flat ruling-out of the NZ First Party in 2008, all parties capable of clearing MMP’s five-percent threshold, or winning one or more electorate seats, tend ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Polling shows that Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating of any mayor in the country. Siting at -12 per cent, the proportion of constituents who disapprove of her performance outweighs those who give her the thumbs up. This negative rating is ...
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Polling shows that Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating of any mayor in the country. Siting at -12 per cent, the proportion of constituents who disapprove of her performance outweighs those who give her the thumbs up. This negative rating is higher than for any other mayor ...
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Bryce Edwards writes – Many criticisms are being made of the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill, including by this writer. But as with everything in politics, every story has two sides, and both deserve attention. It’s important to understand what the Government is trying to achieve and its ...
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Hi,I spent about a year on Webworm reporting on an abusive megachurch called Arise, and it made me want to stab my eyes out with a fork.I don’t regret that reporting in 2022 and 2023 — I am proud of it — but it made me angry.Over three main stories ...
The new Victoria University Vice-Chancellor decided to have a forum at the university about free speech and academic freedom as it is obviously a topical issue, and the Government is looking at legislating some carrots or sticks for universities to uphold their obligations under the Education and Training Act. They ...
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Skeptical Science is partnering with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. This fact brief was written by Sue Bin Park in collaboration with members from our Skeptical Science team. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Is Antarctica gaining land ice? ...
Images of US students (and others) protesting and setting up tent cities on US university campuses have been broadcast world wide and clearly demonstrate the growing rifts in US society caused by US policy toward Israel and Israel’s prosecution of … Continue reading → ...
Barrie Saunders writes – Dear Paul As the new Minister of Media and Communications, you will be inundated with heaps of free advice and special pleading, all in the national interest of course. For what it’s worth here is my assessment: Traditional broadcasting free to air content through ...
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Peter Dunne writes – The great nineteenth British Prime Minister, William Gladstone, once observed that “the first essential for a Prime Minister is to be a good butcher.” When a later British Prime Minister, Harold Macmillan, sacked a third of his Cabinet in July 1962, in what became ...
Ele Ludemann writes – New Zealanders had the OECD’s second highest tax increase last year: New Zealanders faced the second-biggest tax raises in the developed world last year, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) says. The intergovernmental agency said the average change in personal income tax ...
We all know something’s not right with our elections. The spread of misinformation, people being targeted with soundbites and emotional triggers that ignore the facts, even the truth, and influence their votes.The use of technology to produce deep fakes. How can you tell if something is real or not? Can ...
This video includes conclusions of the creator climate scientist Dr. Simon Clark. It is presented to our readers as an informed perspective. Please see video description for references (if any). This year you will be lied to! Simon Clark helps prebunk some misleading statements you'll hear about climate. The video includes ...
It is all very well cutting the backrooms of public agencies but it may compromise the frontlines. One of the frustrations of the Productivity Commission’s 2017 review of universities is that while it observed that their non-academic staff were increasing faster than their academic staff, it did not bother to ...
Buzz from the Beehive Two speeches delivered by Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters at Anzac Day ceremonies in Turkey are the only new posts on the government’s official website since the PM announced his Cabinet shake-up. In one of the speeches, Peters stated the obvious: we live in a troubled ...
1. Which of these would you not expect to read in The Waikato Invader?a. Luxon is here to do business, don’t you worry about thatb. Mr KPI expects results, and you better believe itc. This decisive man of action is getting me all hot and excitedd. Melissa Lee is how ...
The Government is again adding to New Zealand’s growing unemployment, this time cutting jobs at the agencies responsible for urban development and growing much needed housing stock. ...
With Minister Karen Chhour indicating in the House today that she either doesn’t know or care about the frontline cuts she’s making to Oranga Tamariki, we risk seeing more and more of our children falling through the cracks. ...
The Labour Party is saddened to learn of the death of Sir Robert Martin, a globally renowned disability advocate who led the way for disability rights both in New Zealand and internationally. ...
Labour is calling for the Government to urgently rethink its coalition commitment to restart live animal exports, Labour animal welfare spokesperson Rachel Boyack said. ...
Today’s Financial Stability Report has once again highlighted that poverty and deep inequality are political choices - and this Government is choosing to make them worse. ...
The Green Party is calling on the Government to do more for our households in most need as unemployment rises and the cost of living crisis endures. ...
Unemployment is on the rise and it’s only going to get worse under this Government, Labour finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds said. Stats NZ figures show the unemployment rate grew to 4.3 percent in the March quarter from 4 percent in the December quarter. “This is the second rise in unemployment ...
The New Zealand Labour Party welcomes the entering into force of the European Union and New Zealand free trade agreement. This agreement opens the door for a huge increase in trade opportunities with a market of 450 million people who are high value discerning consumers of New Zealand goods and ...
The National-led Government continues its fiscal jiggery pokery with its Pharmac announcement today, Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall says. “The government has increased Pharmac funding but conceded it will only make minimal increases in access to medicine”, said Ayesha Verrall “This is far from the bold promises made to fund ...
This afternoon’s interim Waitangi Tribunal report must be taken seriously as it affects our most vulnerable children, Labour children’s spokesperson Willow-Jean Prime. ...
Te Pāti Māori are demanding the New Zealand Government support an international independent investigation into mass graves that have been uncovered at two hospitals on the Gaza strip, following weeks of assault by Israeli troops. Among the 392 bodies that have been recovered, are children and elderly civilians. Many of ...
Our two-tiered system for veterans’ support is out of step with our closest partners, and all parties in Parliament should work together to fix it, Labour veterans’ affairs spokesperson Greg O’Connor said. ...
Stripping two Ministers of their portfolios just six months into the job shows Christopher Luxon’s management style is lacking, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...
Tonight’s court decision to overturn the summons of the Children’s Minister has enabled the Crown to continue making decisions about Māori without evidence, says Te Pāti Māori spokesperson for Children, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi. “The judicial system has this evening told the nation that this government can do whatever they want when ...
It appears Nicola Willis is about to pull the rug out from under the feet of local communities still dealing with the aftermath of last year’s severe weather, and local councils relying on funding to build back from these disasters. ...
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. ...
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
Te Pāti Māori is disgusted at the confirmation that hundreds are set to lose their jobs at Oranga Tamariki, and the disestablishment of the Treaty Response Unit. “This act of absolute carelessness and out of touch decision making is committing tamariki to state abuse.” Said Te Pāti Māori Oranga Tamariki ...
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
A laundry list of additional costs for Tāmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi, and Mema Paremata mō Tāmaki-Makaurau, Takutai Tarsh Kemp, will travel to the Gold Coast to strengthen ties with Māori in Australia next week (15-21 April). The visit, in the lead-up to the 9th Australian National Kapa haka Festival, will be an opportunity for both ...
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 ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has attended the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva and outlined the Government’s plan to restore law and order. “Speaking to the United Nations Human Rights Council provided us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while responding to issues and ...
The Government and Rotorua Lakes Council are committed to working closely together to end the use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua. Associate Minister of Housing (Social Housing) Tama Potaka says the Government remains committed to ending the long-term use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua by the ...
Trade Minister Todd McClay heads overseas today for high-level trade talks in the Gulf region, and a key OECD meeting in Paris. Mr McClay will travel to Riyadh to meet with counterparts from Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). “New Zealand’s goods and services exports to the Gulf region ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford has outlined six education priorities to deliver a world-leading education system that sets Kiwi kids up for future success. “I’m putting ambition, achievement and outcomes at the heart of our education system. I want every child to be inspired and engaged in their learning so they ...
The new NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) App is a secure ‘one stop shop’ to provide the services drivers need, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Digitising Government Minister Judith Collins say. “The NZTA App will enable an easier way for Kiwis to pay for Vehicle Registration and Road User Charges (RUC). ...
Whānau with tamariki growing up in emergency housing motels will be prioritised for social housing starting this week, says Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka. “Giving these whānau a better opportunity to build healthy stable lives for themselves and future generations is an essential part of the Government’s goal of reducing ...
Racing Minister Winston Peters has paid tribute to an icon of the industry with the recent passing of Dave O’Sullivan (OBE). “Our sympathies are with the O’Sullivan family with the sad news of Dave O’Sullivan’s recent passing,” Mr Peters says. “His contribution to racing, initially as a jockey and then ...
Assalaamu alaikum, greetings to you all. Eid Mubarak, everyone! I want to extend my warmest wishes to you and everyone celebrating this joyous occasion. It is a pleasure to be here. I have enjoyed Eid celebrations at Parliament before, but this is my first time joining you as the Minister ...
Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced Pharmac’s largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff. “Access to medicines is a crucial part of many Kiwis’ lives. We’ve committed to a budget allocation of $1.774 billion over four years so Kiwis are ...
Hon Paula Bennett has been appointed as member and chair of the Pharmac board, Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced today. "Pharmac is a critical part of New Zealand's health system and plays a significant role in ensuring that Kiwis have the best possible access to medicines,” says Mr Seymour. ...
Hundreds of New Zealand families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) will benefit from a new Government focus on prevention and treatment, says Health Minister Dr Shane Reti. “We know FASD is a leading cause of preventable intellectual and neurodevelopmental disability in New Zealand,” Dr Reti says. “Every day, ...
Regional Development Minister Shane Jones today attended the official opening of Kaikohe’s new $14.7 million sports complex. “The completion of the Kaikohe Multi Sports Complex is a fantastic achievement for the Far North,” Mr Jones says. “This facility not only fulfils a long-held dream for local athletes, but also creates ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ engagements in Türkiye this week underlined the importance of diplomacy to meet growing global challenges. “Returning to the Gallipoli Peninsula to represent New Zealand at Anzac commemorations was a sombre reminder of the critical importance of diplomacy for de-escalating conflicts and easing tensions,” Mr Peters ...
Ambassador Millar, Burgemeester, Vandepitte, Excellencies, military representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen – good morning and welcome to this sacred Anzac Day dawn service. It is an honour to be here on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood – a deeply ...
Distinguished guests - It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders. Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia. Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order. “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
Asia Pacific Report A West Papuan resistance leader has condemned the United Nations role in allowing Indonesia to “integrate” the Melanesian Pacific region in what is claimed to be an “egregious act of inhumanity” on 1 May 1963. In an open letter to UN Secretary-General António Guterres, Organisasi Papua Merdeka-OPM ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra A key part of the Albanese government’s political strategy is to fill the news cycle with its presence and messaging. Ministers are deployed to the maximum, even when they’ve little to say. This week ...
Recent extreme weather events showed the importance of a well-functioning insurance system, says Commerce and Consumer Affairs minister Andrew Bayly. ...
By Jo Moir, RNZ News political editor, and Craig McCulloch, deputy political editor New Zealand’s Labour Party is demanding Winston Peters be stood down as Foreign Minister for opening up the government to legal action over his “totally unacceptable” attack on a prominent AUKUS critic. In an interview on RNZ’s ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Christian Brakenridge, Postdoctoral research fellow at Swinburne University, Centre for Urban Transitions, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute The Conversation, Gorodenkoff/Shutterstock People have a pretty intuitive sense of what is healthy – standing is better than sitting, exercise is great for overall ...
The Wellington-based Reserve Force soldier is now almost three years into his New Zealand Army career with 5th/7th Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment. ...
"The Government needs to release the review immediately as this reckless approach to change risks disjointed decision making and creates more distress and uncertainty for staff," Fitzsimons said. ...
By Koroi Hawkins, RNZ Pacific editor Jeremiah Manele has been elected Prime Minister of Solomon Islands, polling 31 votes to 18 over rival candidate and former opposition leader Mathew Wale with one abstention. The final result of the election by secret ballot was announced by the Governor-General, Sir David Vunagi, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Priestley Habru, PhD candidate, public diplomacy, University of Adelaide Former foreign minister Jeremiah Manele has been elected the next prime minister of Solomon Islands, defeating the opposition leader, Matthew Wale, in a vote in parliament. The result is a mixed bag for ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Shaun Eaves, Senior Lecturer in Physical Geography, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington Jamey Stutz, CC BY-SA How often do mountains collapse, volcanoes erupt or ice sheets melt? For Earth scientists, these are important questions as we try ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael Flood, Professor of Sociology, Queensland University of Technology Shutterstock Most young adult men in Australia reject traditional ideas of masculinity that endorse aggression, stoicism and homophobia. Nonetheless, the ongoing influence of those ideas continues to harm men and the people ...
The NZQA proposal released to staff today would involve a net loss of 35 roles. There are 66 roles being disestablished with 13 of those currently vacant, and 31 new roles proposed, said Fleur Fitzsimons Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga ...
Alex Casey talks to Loren Taylor, the writer, director and star of new film The Moon is Upside Down, about assembling her dream ensemble cast, toilet paper pads and turning literal dreams into reality. There’s a moment in The Moon is Upside Down where frazzled anaesthetist Briar (Loren Taylor) gets ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Cassy Dittman, Senior Lecturer/Head of Course (Undergraduate Psychology), Research Fellow, Manna Institute, CQUniversity Australia With winter sports swinging into action, adults around the country have volunteered or been volunteered by others (humorously known as being “volun-told”) to coach junior sports teams. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Karleen Gribble, Adjunct Associate Professor, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Western Sydney University richardernestyap/Shutterstock Parents are often advised to burp their babies after feeding them. Some people think burping after feeding is important to reduce or prevent discomfort crying, or to ...
Workers at a major ASB contact centre in Auckland have voted to take strike action and withdraw their labour following disappointing pay negotiations with the employer and an "offer" to workers that would leave them worse off than the previous year. ...
As the government tries to get the country back on track with a school phone ban, Tara Ward has an idea for where they should turn their attention to next.New Zealand students returned to school on Monday morning, but their cellphones did not. The government’s new phone ban began ...
The Labour Party is demanding Peters be stood down, saying "he's embarrassed the country" with a "totally unacceptable" attack on a prominent AUKUS critic. ...
The Inter-Parliamentary Alliance, whose members were victims of a China-backed cyber attack, is discussing forming a standing committee to deal with foreign influence. ...
The PSA is concerned that the voluntary redundancies being offered to staff by Stats NZ will impact on the agency’s ability to deliver on its core functions. ...
Results ranged from surprisingly yum to soul-destroying. I love cooking. The kitchen is a hearth of culinary creation, of sensory delights, of gastronomic poetry. I also can’t afford anything nice. Why does a pack of instant noodles and some milk cost ten bucks? I love you, Aotearoa, but I miss ...
By Koroi Hawkins, RNZ Pacific editor Police in Solomon Islands are on high alert ahead of the election of the prime minister today. The two candidates for the top job are former foreign affairs minister Jeremiah Manele at the head of the Coalition for National Unity and Transformation, which is ...
He’s fine but it feels like I’m losing a friend and it’s making me bitter. How do I say ‘enough is enough’? Want Hera’s help? Email your problem to helpme@thespinoff.co.nzHey Hera,I’ve recently moved in with a girlfriend, her partner Steve, and his friend. We all live in a lovely little house. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nick Chartres, Senior Research Fellow, Faculty of Medicine & Health, University of Sydney shutterstockAhmet Misirligul/Shutterstock You go to the gym, eat healthy and walk as much as possible. You wash your hands and get vaccinated. You control your health. This is ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jacqueline Hendriks, Research Fellow and Lecturer, Curtin University Children and young people may be seeing news headlines about men murdering women or footage of people rallying to call for action. Perhaps they or their friends have even gone to the protests. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jessica Balanzategui, Senior Lecturer in Media, RMIT University ABC “Bluey mania” shows no sign of abating. Bluey’s season finale, The Sign, was the most viewed ABC program of all time on iView. A “hidden” follow-up episode, aptly named The Surprise, created ...
Labour market figures came in softer than the Reserve Bank had forecast, but they won’t be enough to move the needle on interest rates, writes Catherine McGregor in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. Unemployment ...
The campaign will engage the community and encourage submissions on the bill to the New Zealand government by the closing submission deadline of Friday 31st of May 2024 4pm. ...
The paper raises concerns about declining trust in New Zealand's political institutions and democratic processes, and the role that the overuse of Parliamentary urgency plays in that. ...
The Urban Habitat Collective was an attempt to built an innovative new form of apartment building in Wellington. Here’s why it failed, and why the idea could still work, writes co-founder Bronwen Newton. When we started the Urban Habitat Collective in November 2018, we thought we were starting a revolution, ...
Two decades ago this week, a controversial law that attempted to define ownership of the foreshore and seabed prompted a formidable display of outrage and kōtahitanga as 15,000 marched to parliament. Jamie Tahana looks back.‘Hīkoi, hīkoi,” they chanted by the thousands as the biggest Māori march in a generation ...
Why has New Zealand slipped from third to 12th on Quality of Death Indexes over the past decade or so? Hospice New Zealand Chief Executive Wayne Naylor has a list of reasons. “We don’t have a current national strategy – the Government hasn’t renewed our 2001 strategy, so we don’t ...
While women’s sport is exploding in Aotearoa and around the world, you still don’t hear a lot of talk about athletes and their periods, RED-S, breastfeeding and visible panty-lines. SASS (Suze and Sez Sports)Talk isn’t afraid to have that kōrero.LockerRoom founder Suzanne McFadden and Olympian broadcaster Sarah ...
On an unusually hot night in January 2019, a little boy’s lifeless body was found face up in a small town’s sewage oxidation pond. To the police, it was an open and shut case: three-year-old Lachlan Jones had run away from his home in the Southland town of Gore, climbed ...
A Labour Party Member’s Bill aims to plug a culpability gap between manslaughter and health and safety breaches The post New push for corporate killing laws appeared first on Newsroom. ...
Terence O’Brien had the rare and no doubt undesired distinction of rising to one of the most exalted positions in New Zealand diplomacy, then being unceremoniously recalled to Wellington without explanation just when his career was at its zenith. What is perhaps more surprising is that he appears to have ...
Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A,DIV,A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp'); Got a good quiz question?Send Newsroom your questions. The post Newsroom daily quiz, Thursday 2 May appeared first on Newsroom. ...
Rongotai MP Julie Anne Genter has apologised in Parliament after National accused her of intimidating and attacking one of its ministers in the House. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The Prime Minister and state and territory leaders met on Wednesday as the national cabinet to discuss a crisis gripping Australia – the horrific number of women murdered this year. The killings have shocked ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Radhika Raghav, Teaching Fellow, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Otago Netflix Indian director Sanjay Leela Bhansali is known for his big-budget Bollywood production, featuring grand sets, star casts, meticulously choreographed dance sequences and lavish costumes, jewellery and furnishings. ...
Sir Robert devoted his life to disability rights after living in institutions in his younger years, says Kaihautū Tika Hauātanga | Disability Rights Commissioner Prudence Walker. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anastasia Powell, Professor, Family and Sexual Violence, RMIT University Violence against women is not a women’s problem to solve, it is a whole of society problem to solve; and men in particular have to take responsibility. Those were the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jessica Allen, Senior Lecturer in Chemical and Renewable Energy Engineering, University of Newcastle Snapshot freddy/ShutterstockPlans to revive an old coal-fired power station using bioenergy are being considered in the Hunter region of New South Wales. Similar plans for the station ...
Responding to the long-awaited release of judges’ special allowances, including free air travel and hotels for spouses, generous sabbaticals, and access to limousines, Taxpayers’ Union spokesman Alex Murphy said: “In what world does your employer ...
what, no pictures of a random person called Mike?
here’s a neat infographic of the electoral history of NZ
http://thewireless.co.nz/themes/election/an-electoral-history-of-new-zealand
cunnliffe just kicked arse on tvone breakfast…
(and harre is up soon..replying to keys’ effigy-burning allegations..)
Did that Christie interview him?
Any signs of his Tory bias seeping through?
no..the co-compere..
..and harre is now kicking christies’ arse…
.wonderful stuff..!
..must-watch television..!
corin dann then accuses the internet/mana supporters/’far-lefties’ of being behind all the billboard defacing..(!)
..which orifice did he pluck that one from..?
(and i’m half-expecting harre to rush back into the studio..going:..’oi..!..dann..!..’)
..and billboard-defacing has clearly become a social-media sport..
..and some of them are bloody funny…
..and deserve points for creativity..
‘trevor moa’ on one of mallards..
..raised a chuckle around these parts..
and in their edit of the harre/christie takedown..
..tvone shows none of what is the ‘news’ in that interview..
..namely harre holding christie/tvnz to account..
..and then they only read out anti-harre emails from viewers..(!)..
..he/they are such tory-toads..eh..?
..and blatant with it..
What a revolting programme, had not watched it since the Paul Henry days, Christie and his simpering assistant delivering the world for shallow people. The TV equivalent of TradeMe message board.
Harre´gave Christie a serve and he has been whinging and chipping at her remarks since. There was a weak admission that the effigy clip was not linked to Internet Mana and they do not supply free drinks to students.
After Harre´ left our man then conveniently turns up an email from the mother of one of the students in the FJK video who says he had a selfie with the Prime Minister the next day, and that “there was alcohol there” (but they don’t state who supplied it)–hmmm wasn’t that exactly what Mr Key has suggested–that people telling him to fuck off one day would want a photo op the next?
File under…
yup
Talking of ‘Paul’, Henry that is, i watched last nights effort from the wee ‘Perve’ to see what InternetMana’s Lailla Haare, who was on the show last night, had to say,
Befor Lailla appeared Perving Paul was talking as if He would be giving Her the ace grilling which didn’t eventuate i suspect out of Henry’s fear that Haare would vocally carve Him up in a serious fashion on His own show,
What had me Laughing out Loud was the ‘interview’ Henry did with fellow media ‘personality’ Patrick ‘Alfred E Nuemann’ Gower befor Lailla was present,
The boys own club of TV3 couldn’t but help feed off each other in a bout of inanities which, and, you will have to excuse the gross expression here, had me thinking of the pair of them as ”giving each other a public verbal hand-job on air”…
I hate to look like someone who holds a grudge, bad, but I must once again insist on a retraction of your false accusations about my opinions on abortion and eugenics.
The crap you posted yesterday was nothing more than an attempt to dodge the fact that you made up a quote to smear me and sneered at me for challenging its veracity – when your only excuse was “oh whoops you never used the word “poverty” but that’s still how I ~feel~ your statements were.”
http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-10082014/#comment-864008
You can also explain, like you said you would, why you felt it necessary to introduce lies about my opinions on a completely different topic into an argument about strategic voting.
Yes, wait five stephanie i am sure i will get around to answering your latest stalk,
First tho i will go back a couple of days and read the Moderators Note that advises
me that you are Protected to a certain extent from my comments thus in debating with you at any time from the point of that Moderation on carries a certain Risk to at least me as a commenter and perhaps others,
SO, a wiser choice of comment from Me to you would seem to be, ”Yawn”………..!
[Stephanie: Allow me to assist you. lprent said “it is inadvisable to continue to attack [an author] on the basis of what she did not say, or what you choose to place as the meaning on those words.” It is linked in the exact comment you are responding to.
Now you are accusing me of “stalking” you. Stalking is a serious matter which shouldn’t be used as shorthand for me expecting you not to tell lies about me. Consider this a moderator warning that you either back up your claim, retract it in full, or take some time off.]
[Stephanie: banned until the end of the year for abuse.]
[lprent: Interesting reading the comments in the spam bucket. bad very clearly doesn’t want to come back. And he really really seems to want to an increase. Lets double that, and carry on doing so each time I see one of those comments. I’ll harden up the effectiveness of the ban somewhat as well. ]
That’s a great loss; sorry to hear that. Wish you could have sorted it amicably. Sigh ….
that’s a shame..
..he often has intelligent/astute commentary to contribute..
..has good bullshit-detecters..
..he will be missed..
..any chance of making his ban for just a couple of weeks..?
..or delaying it until post-election day..?
..i feel he is needed here..at this particular point in time..
..he is a force of/for progressive-energy..
..(and if the ban holds..and he wants an outlet for his comments/dialogue..
..he is welcome to come to whoar..
..and i will engage with him there..
..we cd do hatchet-jobs from afar..
..with no holds barred..
..it could be entertainng..
[deleted]
Do you really think you impotent little arsehole that you can actually keep me from commenting on here,
[deleted]
[karol: off to moderation]
[lprent: Actually I can stop you being able to read the site if I choose to. I have chopped out the entire range of IPs from your location from your current ISP from reading the site. I guess it is time for you to find a new ISP to get the attention you crave.
And if you make it past that shield, in answer to your question, it takes time to make sure. I didn’t want to affect anyone apart from you. I had to scan the stored encrypted logs to find out other lurkers who could be impacted and carefully craft the barrier around them.
I don’t expect a reply – because if I see one, then I’ll simply reject another range of IPs. Somehow I don’t think that bad12 is up to spambot standards. And we now have a permanent ban. ]
Wish you could have sorted it amicably.
Yeshe, I can only assure you that the kind of shit bad12 was saying in comments which weren’t published would change your mind about his ability to settle things amicably.
“I can only assure you that the kind of shit bad12 was saying in comments which weren’t published would change your mind about his ability to settle things amicably.”
I can imagine, and bet it wasn’t pretty. I, like I bet DC would also be, am sorry for that. 😉
I don’t see much wrong in the occasional p an q, but there’s always a moral line in the sand. It’s a shame bad felt compelled to cross it over an internet fall out, to save face, because he got caught out bullshitting.
Still, plenty more in the sea and all that (I’m looking at you pu) cough lol.
““there was alcohol there” (but they don’t state who supplied it)”
Given that this occurred at the student bar, I would be quite surprised if there wasn’t.
sometimes it’s the only power some people feel they have to make their point… It’s as much (to me) about people trying to be heard as it is “vandalism”.
The effigy burning and general defacing of National billboards is a sign of the hatred which the current government is creating with its war on the poor.
Expect more scenes like this Mr Key. You have created this atmosphere.
Laila shouldn’t be so defensive. This is democracy and we should be proud of the youth making their feelings known.
Theres no excuse for vile anti-semitism and crude threats
Ah, so you’ll be calling for Key’s resignation then. Weekly phone calls to Mr. Slater. Open incitement of his methods.
The strongest force grows old, and then its violence will return, and kill it.
Got proof? (don’t worry I know you don’t have proof but are just trying to minimise the vile racism coming from the left)
Stop with the faux outrage.
A burning effigy and a crowd chanting their displeasure at an evil man is not racism.
We have antisemitic graffiti on billboards.
Nazi graffiti on billboards.
Antisemitic term used in hate speech from a Labour MP.
Antisemitic statements against Act and National coming out of Young Labour in May.
Green Party members endorsing Hitler posters with Keys face.
Left wing commentator and ex Green Party worker Gordon Campbell has a go at Key for being Jewish.
A German who collects Nazi memorabilia encourages hate chants, then use them as an advertisement.
Quite a pattern forming. Look under the carpet with a few google searches, and you’ll find it’s much more widespread than the small number of examples above. Including on this site.
you reap what you sow
That’s funny VTO – – the very first example I found of someone on this site having a go at Key for being Jewish was you.
(your antisemitism even drew criticism from a number of other regular left wing commentators here)
When did the Prime Minister’s encouragement of Slater meet with similar criticism from the Right? Never.
These are your rules. If you don’t like them talk to the bottom feeders and tr*lls you rely on.
John
Diddums
Harden Up
The slitting the throat number was so proper. Only the best do that. No. The GodKey is shite. History will record it.
His own mouth. “Every so often”. Numerous photos, Slater openly invited to National Party private boxes, etc etc.
The outpouring of hatred against Key and National concerns me as much as the regular day-to-day hatred they foster and encourage, I just have a better understanding of the source than you do.
The outpouring of hatred against Key and National concerns me as much as the regular day-to-day hatred they foster and encourage, I just have a better understanding of the source than you do.
So it’s ok for a Prime Minister to openly encourage hate speech so long as he’s popular. Those are some lovely antique ethics you’ve got there. Are they for sale?
Depends on how much is Kim Dot Con offering
http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-11082014/#comment-864138
Your hostility towards him means nothing to me one way or the other: he’s a sideshow and I note your failure to find a substantive rebuttal to my ethical challenge. I’ll go further, when your team does it you approve of the whole nasty bag of tricks: hate speech, smears, up to and including violence.
Where was your outrage at the bullet holes in Hone Harawira’s office? Live with it.
“Theres no excuse for vile anti-semitism and crude threats”
but there is for pearl clutching over-reactions ?
The tone Slater sets, with the Prime Minister’s full approval and assistance.
Defacing billboards with racial insults is democracy!!!! War on the poor?????? What are you smoking, it must be strong stuff.
Democracy? Of course it is: the billboard is a monologue, defacing it is a dialogue.
That doesn’t make it the right thing to do, Fisiani, before you deceitfully accuse the Left of something based on one anonymous bloke’s opinion. Obviously it’s hurtful and destructive, as well as in some cases being creative and hilarious.
You’ve sat on your hands while the Prime Minister has encouraged Slater’s methods all this time. These are your rules these kids are playing by.
Suck it up champ.
Gotta say, it does look like younger folk stooping… They do as others do, not as they say… I wonder how many of them come from homes that love mr key. So in that respect, well said OAB
anti semitic = wrong but saying haree takes dotcoms money in return for sex = ok
Stop being so sensitive. I see David Farrar having a cry as well this morning about things being dirty.
Get used to it. We are not going to stand by and quietly hand our nation over to the Key and his rich mates.
Fuck John Key.
We are taking our country back.
So you approve of racist vandalism. What is your limit in your quest to “taking the country back? Do you approve of violence as well?
You have the freedom to speak but not the freedom to deface. It is not a childish prank it is criminal damage.The Left are simply appalling when it comes to democracy.
Given that most New Zealanders are reasonable people I do wonder about the impact of your negativity and criminality. I suspect it generates Votes for Team Key
😆 we’re the ferals Cameron’s been inciting hatred against. Oops.
Where have I approved racist vandalism you moron. You are the one who keeps bringing racism into it. I have referred to burning effigy’s and chants.
Explain the racism in that you sensitive sausage.
@ fisi..
..have you noticed that all of the billboards altered..
..that not all of them belong to tory toe-rags..
..how does that fit in yr fitful-‘appalling’-thesis..?
F ………..I await your approval and congratulations to David Cunliffe for how he has handled all of the this.
Economic vandalism of NZ by National is a hell of a lot more serious crime than a few Hitler moustaches.
And on the subject of racist vandalism which to me is epitomised by the fact that National have followed a monetary policy that has caused further deprivation to the poorer in our society who include a disproportionate number of the Tangata Whenua, – I say No, I don’t approve of racist vandalism, no matter what form it takes.
you have to break a few eggs to make an omelet i believe ?
And the best way to do that is to point out that John Key is jewish…good strategy
No, hence the person who did so getting a telling off. Please keep up.
One rogue Labour candidate who used a term that is arguably racist, is not a strategy adopted by the left.
That carless candidate has been dealt to by Mr Cunliffe.
i understand that along with being on foot..
..that he’s also careless..
I’m talking about the vile anti-semitic vandalism on John Keys hoardings
Yes, horrible isn’t it? What do you think of the role he plays in inciting hatred across the country, both with policies (passive incitement) and association with Mr. Slater (active incitement)?
I’m not
Being Jewish is not belonging to a particular race but belonging to a religion.
Surely John Key belongs to the Caucasion race.
Being Jewish is both.
Not to mention that there is no such thing as different human races. We’re all the same ‘race’ (species).
+++++ excellent comment. Enough Enough.
“The effigy burning and general defacing of National billboards is a sign of the hatred which the current government is creating with its war on the poor”
Otherwise all traces of freedom of speech are banished by this Government control NatZis.
This site The Standard and The daily Blog are the only ways we can get our collective opposition messages out there because we can’t via the fascist corporate controlled MSM that is a contorted Joyce Key media.
I think one point some are missing is a sense of powerlessness. People deface property, espesh billboards, cos they want to be heard. If you feel you have no other way to be heard…
The right hear themselves constantly through people like hoots on radio and in media and farrar in print… That has an element of empowerment for right voters.
– Enough is Enough
This. The tone has been set from the top. The increase in arrogance is astounding. That’s the difference in this election.
If you oppose Labour’s health care policy, then you support US style health care. Plain and simple.
xox.
Labour candidate Steven Gibson, and Shylock reference. Do Labour vet their candidates for general knowledge? Is this the best Labour can find? Not a good look and ammunition for RWNJ’S, and RNZ’S Espiner.
are you todays’ concern-tr*ll there..philj..?
.cunnliffe closed that right down in his aformentioned appearance on breakfast..
what did cunliffe say?
said he personally phoned gibson..and told him that one more outburst like that wd see him hauled b4 the party council..
..and he was particularly adroit at that close-down-task..as he got that in..b4 the interviewer could get her first ‘gotcha!’-question out..
..(i looked for the harre/christie vid on tvnz on demand..
..no sigh of that yet..but the cunnliffe-clip is up there..)
..all in all..it’s been a good ‘breakfast’ for the progressive-cause..
Thanks phil
hilarious..!
..christie continues to whinge and moan about harre attacking him..
..he is such a pussy..!
..and he reads out one pro-harre email..
..tries to read a second..critical of him..
..and only gets thru one sentence..
..b4 throwing it to one side..
..the poor-luvvy clearly needs a hug..
..both the co-comperes are getting all petulant/pouty..
Why do you watch it given you have stated you no longer listen to Morning Report because of the supposed bias there?
Bing! logical fallacy alert
–this appears to be a “loaded question” Gosman.
Umm… it is a question that was answered by PhilU so he didn’t see any problem doing so.
and that appears to be an appeal to authority.
And what an authority, where logical coherence is concerned….
..oi..!
I’ve stopped reading / watching all pro-Tory biased media in this country, which wipes out anything published by FairFax or APN as well as most TVNZ news programmes and a lot of TV3, with the notable exception of John Campbell.
Removing these from my news feed has had two effects: Firstly, it makes my life better as I’m not constantly exposed to bullshit and propaganda. Secondly, it makes my news feed basically empty…
Don’t worry, John Campbell will turn on Labour when they’re in government.
I’m 100% OK with that: The Government of the day should always be asked the hard questions, whatever colour it may be.
crikey politikiwi..!
..here’s a life-raft..!
http://whoar.co.nz/
More holes in that than the literacy safety net you fell through.
Call me old fashioned, Phil, but while I find many of your observations interesting, I also like sentences.
The major effect that I noticed about stopping watching TV news is that I now had to go out and look for it and this resulted in me having to think about it rather than being a passive ‘consumer’ of it. And the result of that is that I’ve become more discerning and critical of what I read.
This is a great side-effect, and one I’ve experienced myself.
When you have access to a (basically…) limitless set of viewpoints, it becomes really obvious how orchestrated the supposedly “balanced” panel discussions actually are. When you have “expert panelists” who effectively represent two sides of the same coin – like “Democrat” and “Republican” – that’s not actually balance. That’s a charade.
I’m aghast at the efforts to frame all debates in terms of “left” and “right”, or “right” and “wrong”, or “freedom” and “terrorism.” The reality of these things is far more complicated, but if you present two viewpoints on TV that’s implicitly suggesting that those are the only two viewpoints worth considering. And sadly many people believe that that’s the case.
@ gosman..because it is on at the heavy-lifting part of my news-gathering-for-whoar day..
..and i don’t ‘watch’ it.per se..(that would be a form of torture..to have it..and only it..)
..it is just mumbling away in the background..
..and i only focus on it when pollies/people of interest appear..
..it is part of the news-gathering exercise..
and i guess a modicum of holding the lying-bastards to account..
..for their ongoing/egregious spreading of bullshit…
Why don’t you have the radio on then? At least that is designed to be on in the background enabling you to do other stuff. The TV is designed to be watched.
‘cos espiner is there..
..and somebody has to do it..
And rather you, than me Bro. That said, Thanks Phillip, I no longer have the stomach for the dribble that propaganda machine pumps out.
Opps, Gosman,
You did a ‘gotcha!’there,
To Phillip ure,
“Why do you watch it (TV1) + RNZ) given you have stated you no longer listen to Morning Report because of the supposed bias there?”
But we have sympathy for political junkies, and they do have a valid use as “monitors” like the wars when the British intelligence eavesdropped on the NAZIs Reichstag to see what they were saying.
But for our part we heeded Phillip ure’s boycott of TV 1 and feel better for it as we assume others also did.
Much less stress watching/listening to TV3 than the NatZ contolled TV1 and RNZ.
so a two strikes rule for racism and anti-semitism in the labour party caucus. nice to know
🙄
“cunnliffe closed that right down in his aformentioned appearance on breakfast”
I saw and like that Phil. Liked the way he told Pugh before she started
” I know what you are going to ask”, and then told her the answer.
First bloody class left her speechless. Then the main course Harre getting stuck into Christie
which he did not like
Ha Ha fucking ha Not before time someone took this tax funded broadcaster to task about their blatant bias..
another layer in the humour of that one was in the only pro-harre email read completely out.
….the email noted how craven christie is around key..never questions him..always gives him the last word..(i paraphrase there..they were much more erudite..)
..and christies’ answer to what was an indictment of him/his interviewing (non)-skills..?
..he said:..’but we let david cunnliffe do the same thing..we just had him on’..(!)
..absolutely no defence offered to that savaging of him..his work..
..and right now..christie is whining/wheedling/moaning..wriggling in his seat…still attacking harre..
..(and they still have not replayed the piece of the interview where harre holds tvnz to account for their role in the effigy-burning lies told by key..
..he is such a liar..that key..eh..?..)
..christie after harre..is a bit like the romans after their first encounter with boadicea..
..harre for p.m..!..i say..!
Sounds like you dd a little sex wee.
Gibson didn’t come across as the brightest star in the firmament when interviewed on MR this am.
his labour party career will likely be a fleeting one..
Although hone has made a go of it despite making quite racist comments.
You really need to do a bit of work on what it is that constitutes racism, being advantaged isn’t one of them
Do the names Aaron Gilmore and Claudette Hauiti mean nothing to you?
Beat me to it.
it’s interesting how the unofficial national party election strategy seems to be nothing more than “but Labour are as bad as us, honest”
Tick
Philj @ 4. I doubt Labour vet their candidate for knowledge of Shakespeare’s plays. I take it you are not suggesting they do?
The man was pulled up rightly so by DC. Given a very tough warning. And apologized profusely once he was informed of the meaning of his comment. WHAT MORE DO YOU WANT!
Some basic knowledge of western culture would be advantageous though.
Northshoreguynz @ 4.4.1. Sure I don’t disagree. But no one can no everything and not everyone studies “Western Culture”………………………
Rawdon GodKey Whoredon aye. The man’s a joke ! E! Channel material.
TV1 has now cloned all staff as pundits for NatZ policy plankers.
Ban watching them for your stress/health’s sake.
We call on;
[lprent: don’t SHOUT. It is annoying. I will only correct your behaviour and diminish the volume once. ]
A reminder to Wellingtonians who have free time at 1pm today – David Shearer on Gaza at the Khandallah town hall..
I’m going along, am interested to see what he has to say:
https://www.facebook.com/events/673980682680041/?ref=22
Could be worth it, one good account I have seen him give of himself was on Gaza on Q&A several weeks back, any Palestinian advocate would have been pushed to fault it, he called the place an open air prison etc.
Look forward to what he says… And if Goff will say the opposite by this arvo.
Inherent in a story today to be found in the Granny Heralds online version is a tale of what is really wrong in New Zealand society today,
7 or 8000 Plods are employed to in part protect us all from ‘organized crime’ and most of what they seem to uncover is if the ongoing trail of news stories is anything to go by anything but organized,
Here’s ‘organized crime’ the ‘criminal’ allowed to then use the court system in what can only be described as ‘vexatious litigation’ to avoid any responsibility, it is abhorrent that the person indulging in this behavior is not locked up in a jail cell instead of being allowed by the system for 14 years to use His ill gotten gains in a series of court actions designed to simply avoid responsibility,
”Between the 1970’s and 2000, Russel established what the court of appeal has said was an Elaborate maze like structure of companies, partners, and trusts, AND provided advice on how others could Avoid tax through their participation in the ”Russel Template”,
”It, (IRD), reassessed Russel’s personal income and said He should have declared $15.76 Million between 1985 and 2000 instead of $298,000,
The original bill was around 5 million,(in unpaid taxes), but penalties and interest inflated it,(while Russel has continued to use the courts to avoid responsibility),
All of them, Russell and everyone of His ‘clients’ who He deliberately helped to evade due taxation should have been asset stripped just s any common crim has occur to them at the point where the crime was identified,
These people, tax accountants and tax lawyers dreaming up these schemes are not isolated cases, they are ongoing organized criminal networks,
In a similar Wellington case of the same nature last year it was shown that even tax accountants who refused to operate outside of the law knew of such illegal schemes and while refusing to be an active part of them happily ‘funneled’ clients to them…
I hope Greg Presland ( lawyer) is down on his knees to David Cunliffe for letting the jewish slur trip up a good Labour week
It is all about perception and a steady build up of positives that will carry the day
I am not suggesting he wrote this just that he should have aware of the damage it might cause
Added to the cock up over the “secret trust” and you have to question his judgement
David Cuncliffe’s handling of the slur was excellent
When we all lived in villages there was a name for this sort of thing: the poison pen.
Your concerns have been duly noted k.thanxbai
knee-pads are on order..
Ray, Shylock was the name of a ”cruel and heartless lender” in a Shakespearean play and while the particular character in the play penned by Shakespeare was cast as being Jewish the term Shylock is not necessarily confined to those of that religious faith,
i doubt that Shakespear intended to portray to His audiences that the term shylock should only pertain to Jewish moneylenders and when giving its definition of the term my Collins English Dictionary makes no mention of the Jewish faith,
Thus while being factually incorrect when assigning to Slippery the Prime Minister the term Shylock, in His present guise He apparently is not one, in correct English it is not racist for the particular candidate to have applied the term,
Shyster, which addresses the actions of Politicians is therefor a more fitting expletive to attach to the PM…
Beg to differ – it was no accident that the money-lender in the Merchant of Venice was a Jew – and the term has become synonymous with Jewish usury. Like the Fagan character in Dickens – it was a caricatured stereotype of the devious money-grubbing Jew.
If you use the term Shylock about someone with Jewish heritage it is very hard to claim it is anything other than offensive.
Jews became money lenders because it suited both Muslims and Christians to have them carry out that function – and they were then reviled for it. I would never underestimate the longevity, depth and complexity of anti-semitism in our culture.
Yep, it ain’t hard to Google the origins of that particular stereotype (apparently it is for a lot of people though!)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medieval_antisemitism
His jewishness was part of his character because he often harks to his persecution at the hands of christians to justify or explain his uglier traits. There are multiple aspects to shylock. His jewishness, or a kind of comedic parody of jewishness is one part of his character.
It wouldnt surprise me if the labour candidate used the wrong word and meant shyster
How is this Presland’s fault exactly?
Because he didn’t take down the post himself/scold Gibson. Of course if he’d taken down the post and Kiwiblog had the screencap the story would be “Cunliffe ally covering up for anti-Semitic candidate” and if he’d scolded him the story would be “Cunliffe ally tries to silence candidate with inconvenient opinions” so, you know, buggered no matter what you do.
I think National’s strategy has become clear – they’re going to spend the entire election campaign whining to cover up their lack of policy.
Perhaps John Key should check things he gets from Slater a little more carefully next time – but wait, what am I saying? With NZ’s media, he doesn’t need to bother.
Looks like Key’s top drawer (a.k.a. Cameron Slater) is open and the Nats are going for yet another substance-free election campaign.
They’re asking Kiwis to give them a third term in which to do nothing (or nothing they will tell you about) on the basis that they can whine, cry and kick up a stink like a two year old.
Heres the lefts strategy:
http://www.whaleoil.co.nz/2014/08/exclusive-bash-jews-cut-fing-heads-footage-aucklands-protest-didnt-want-see/
http://www.whaleoil.co.nz/2014/08/correlation-equal-causation-im-told/
http://www.whaleoil.co.nz/2014/08/bunch-low-rent-hopers/
http://www.whaleoil.co.nz/2014/08/sam-lotu-iiga-hoarding-vandalism/
http://www.whaleoil.co.nz/tag/defacing-election-hoardings/
Don’t worry I don’t expect anyone here to go see it as its shows what the left is really like (its not pretty)
Cry me a river…
Defacing election hoardings is nothing new. The fact it’s more visible this time illustrates the depth of feeling against #Teamkey and the increase in numbers wanting this government out.
And all he does is link to the scumbag WhaleOil
Pucklish if for one minute you think Whaleoil is a credible source, you have serious issues. Maybe for gutter press, but as a source of what the left is thinking – grow up, no one from the left will talk to Mr Hate.
And two, look around bro, all the hoardings are being attacked, the Mana ones are the ones I see defaced the most here in Auckland. Lincon road, had each and every billboard demolished over the weekend. I’ve heard similar stories from other roads across the region.
Finally, it’s a bit rich the right wing accusing the left of racism, or Anti-Semitism. Seriously, have a look at jail figures, job rates, unemployment. Me thinks your might want to look at one of your own, she who has issues within the PM and staunch supporter of whaleoil. Scratch that poll, dear ya!
Hey Adam its photgraphs, you don’t need to read the opinion pieces but of course a pictures worth a thousand words and it shows the nasty strain of anti-semitism just below the surface of the left so I can understand why you don’t want to read it
See no evil and evil exists right
anti-Semitism lives on the right, that is what history shows. Those pictures were dribble. Typical of the hater slater.
“3.Evil, yes lets talk – 270,00 kids in poverty, slave type wages, massive youth unemployment, and a economy based on earthquakes and milk powder. But no, you do evils job, and blame the other side who want to talk about these issues by name calling and accusations. Evil is, what evil does.”
Who has fallen into emotion and hyperbole?
Oh please, it was your national friends who let in KDC.
Nut bars, thank goodness some on the right recognises act and the conservatives as the bat shit crazy outfits they are.
And yeah, FJK!
PR so National supporters wrecking left leaning bill boards are a superior class of vandal given they are supposed to be better educated better manners etc.
election bill boards have been a target of derision for as long as i can remember!
Its become a sport a National pastime !
And here’s the RWNJs
http://thestandard.org.nz/good-dictators/
http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/politics/185676/Clark-rejects-coup-leader-comparison
http://www.kiwipolitico.com/2009/10/protesting-a-little-bit-too-much/
The real nasty people are on the right.
please link to your preferred hate-porn site somewhere else.
I’d be more impressed if you could link to some National Party policy. But you can’t, because they don’t have any.
What’s the next right-whinge, PR?
Lol. You come to a left leaning site to quote a rabid right site to elucidate the “left’s strategy”..
Bahahaha.. Numpty..
Nah Pukish, all that crap would show is how pathetic Whalespew and the rest of your pigshit thick inbred mates are. I used to think you fuckwits made stuff up, but now I think you actually believe the rubbish you all spout.
Is this nasty mean aggressive attitude being shown to John Key karma visiting upon his head?
I think so. He is reaping what he has sown, and is going to have to suck it up. As are all Nat supporters – they sure aint liked much are they..
If you want a nasty and vicious campaign then by amm means take this attitude. Be aware that there is likely to be a counterpunch at some point though.
this is the counterpunch, that is the entire point.
due to the nasty and vicious policies and attitudes of your lot.
arseholes
Gosman, what is the effect you quote when people bring up fascists?
This is the counter punch to six years of lying and misleading by key and his gang
Perhaps it is karma – it’s scaring middle voters away from the left.
How would you know?
Certainly your gutter smears are concocted with that in mind, and you’re wishfully hoping they’ll work.
Here’s how it’s going to play out:
yawn.
Don’t do that, everyone can see the Cameron Slater you’ve been eating. It’ll be ready for delivery to the public in a few hours.
I don’t think so fulla. It is building a move to change that has lain oppressed. Key ignited it with his very self.
Even Labour is distancing itself from the extremism on Internet Mana.
The middle wins the election, and the middle is being pushed away from the extremism on the far left.
As a National MP in the Herald said a few days ago, Nationals best election asset this year is Kim Dotcom.
extremism – ha ha ha
the middle is not being pushed away and I think you will find that National saying that Dotcom is their best asset means the opposite. If you think about it.
So you think the extreme left is not extreme.
That’s like saying the middle is not in the middle.
The fact that Labour might need the support of a convicted conman, fraudster and embezzler who ran porn sites, makes rape jokes, and whose policies are all about avoiding extradition to face justice, won’t scare moderate voters away.
Yeah right.
prise your blinkers away
You’re missing the point, (apart from the fact that Dotcom isn’t standing) which is that National might need the help of an incest supporting racist skinhead or Colin the moonbeam. At least Cunliffe has ruled IMP out of cabinet.
Fisiani mentioned Kiwiblogs poll of polls
http://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/
The difference is National has the numbers to make minor parties largely irrelevant.
Labour has little choice but to embrace every extreme left party that they can.
Peters has ruled out working with IMP and Maori Party, so without a big poll swing to Labour /Greens, the next govt will be Nat. Failing that, it will be Nat / NZ First.
But anything can happen in the next 5 1/2 weeks.
You talk like national didn’t have to cosy up to an election fraudster this parliamentary term, just to get their flagship policy through the House. And they’re less popular this election than they were last election.
And Labour thinks they have a high ground when it comes to secretly hiding campaign donations?
I only pointed out that national spent much of the past six years in coalition with an electoral fraudster.
If you want to defensively distract from that, feel free. Just don’t be surprised that you’re as transparent as you are stupid.
Top Marks Tracy, try how many times Key has been caught with lies? 150+ and counting.
It’s a game he plays all about the art of deception and Key is the best example of this around.
Bought a millionaire and got a shokey.
The billboard stuff is getting a bot out of hand. I use to smack these over when younger… Or try flying through them, but I never wrote stuff like we see today. I never wrote anything in fact
Evidenced by your spelling and grammar in this post, I can see why.
I was posting from a mobile phone you dickhead.
Now, now. Personal attacks and bad language betray you. Go have a lie down.
It’s got its own momentum now: I suspect most of it isn’t even real hostility: kids having what they’d call “fun”.
One is vandalism, one is simply is presenting a counter argument to the public?
I guess you are the vandal
Broken promises=Broken billboreds
surely a brighter future
It’s great to see all the support of this though.
Who was being racist?
On television news the other evening, two Asian politicians were approached regarding Peters’ Chinese “joke”.
One was National List mp Melissa Lee.
I understand Melissa Lee is Korean, but may be mistaken.
Were the reporters looking at physical characteristics to determine who should be approached for comment?
That surely was racist.
Surely there are few more appropriate to be approached for comment, than the Secretary for Ethnic Affairs.
Who is being racist?
Cameron Slater I expect. If not racist then he’s certainly inciting bigotry against somebody. What do you think of the Prime Minister’s active encouragement of this? How do you like the way it makes your complaints about random acts of hostility sound hollow and dishonest?
That’s a pathetically weak attempt to link the appropriateness of whether Melissa Lee should have been interviewed.
Yeah, but all you right wing bastions of goody goodness fail to address it no matter where it’s pointed out to you.
Ointment, meet fly.
…don’t want to put too fine a point on it but actually Judith Collins holds that position.
Lee, according to Wiki is “As of 2011 she is Parliamentary Private Secretary for Ethnic Affairs under Judith Collins.”
Wrong. Lee is the Secretary for Ethnic Affairs, as I stated (and you just confirmed yourself).
Collins is the Minister.
Think you will find that Collins should have been fielding those questions…
http://www.parliament.nz/en-nz/mpp/mps/current/50MP169971/lee-melissa
Lees Current Parliamentary Roles
Parliamentary Private Secretary for Ethnic Affairs
Chairperson, Social Services Committee
A Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS) New Zealand Member of Parliament (MP) designated by a senior minister in government or shadow minister to act as the minister’s contact with MPs. This role is junior to that of Parliamentary Under-Secretary, which is a ministerial post, salaried by one or more departments.
… and the accompanying annotation was “Melissa Lee – National List MP”
I will remind all the right wingers who are upset about the Left’s ‘dirty tactics’, what was said and written about Helen Clark prior to and in the build up to the election that gifted John Key to a grateful nation (that’s sarcasm in case you don’t recognise it) – a lot of it was viciously misogynistic and personally cruel – some of it entered the realm of hate speech.
The worst things I’ve read about JK’s Jewish heritage have come from the section of the right wing which is so mired in anti-semitism it cannot bring itself to even pretend to support Jews and Israel – unlike the mainstream Right which has suddenly discovered it loves Jews – well, prefers them to Arabs.
The Right’s current championing of all things Jewish would be amusing if it wasn’t so sinister – how come they didn’t and don’t support the socialist secularists in Israel who want to live in peace with their Arab neighbours – they’re Jewish too.
I cringed when I heard the Labour candidate claim not to have known the anti-semitic origins of the term Shylock. To defend a bad political move by claiming to be an ignoramus is not a good look – but Cunliffe handled it well. Personally I’d have given the bloke the boot and tell him to go home and do some serious reading.
I’ve heard Shylock used in popular culture, on TV shows like Justified and Rebba. In both instances it was to describe the Dixie Mafia and their money leading habits. I’m pretty sure the Dixie Mafia won’t allow Jews or people of colour into their organisation. Just an observation into irony, that the right slip into over the top political correctness when ever they feel threatened.
I seem to remember when I was younger being in dust ups with neo-nazi right wing loony bags. I seem to recall that the national front have held rallies and marches in Christchurch and elsewhere. I seem to recollect that more bat shit crazy right wing loons sprayed nazi and other symbols on the Jewish grave yard in Auckland. Just wondering, why the right thinks it can deflect the all this crap to left wing supporters – when obviously, there house, has such clean hands?
You have evidence it was sanctioned and/or tacitly supported by official National party sources do you?
Do you?
Gosman, I thought you were a Libertarian, why you getting into bed with these Authoritarians? Or have you become a Lehman brothers libertarian now?
he has no principles. Only a paycheque.
Yeah, McFlock, was thinking he was becoming more of a Lehman Brothers libertarian of late.
Which authoritarians do you mean?
And remember when Helen Clark accused John Key of domestic violence?
Nope, got a source?
You have a very poor memory. For many non-partisan voters it was the defining moment of the 2008 campaign. The point at which a lot of middle voters saw Clark being unpleasant, dishonest and tired for the first time. It was an “oh well, maybe it is time for a change” moment. Every incumbent eventually has one.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/blogs/opinion/683238/i-Its-all-over-bar-the-shouting-i
That domestic violence quib, is a piece added by the blogger, not what Clark said. Her jibe was “You might be used to shouting people down at home, but you are not shouting me down.”.
Please let me say again – Just an observation into irony, that the right slip into over the top political correctness when ever they feel threatened.
Exactly.
Are you saying verbal violence doesn’t qualify as domestic violence? Interesting you are at odds with Womens Refuge.
Thank you, I’m glad you agree the right has been slipping into over the top political correctness of late.
Helen got it wrong with her statement, that is something she has to live with. But to extrapolate it to Helen accusing Key of domestic violence, is over the top. Seriously, stop and reflect on that. It was a inappropriate jibe, nothing more, nothing less.
Was it Helen who cut funding to Women’s refuge was it?
You must have been appalled when key said someone being a victim of attempted rape wasnt a serious issue, thus reneging on his promise to apologise if he knew her name?
I agree. MFAT should have appointed someone senior to hand hold the complainant thru the news reports and legal process. McCully or Key should have apologised for the poor way in which the issue has been handled.
Would have been the right thing to do but also would have been good politics too. Did Key really say “attempted rape is not a serious issue” or are you inferring that from his lack of an apology?
BTW I don’t think the Clark comment was that sinister in itself, no more or less sinister than whats been going on in this campaign, I really only point it out as another example of stupid comments that take on a life of their own and ultimately sometimes have an outsize effect on an election. I think with Clark it was the dischord of such a stupid, dishonest remark being made by her when she very rarely made a public miscalculation.
And with the IMP I suspect the posturing may well shore up an IMP vote to 3% but if it scares 5% away from Labour to NZ first or National then it is a bad thing for the left.
He said he would not apologise to the victim because he only apologises over serious matters.
“You must have been appalled when key said someone being a victim of attempted rape wasnt a serious issue”
Wasn’t that Hone Hawera?
lolz.
Hone, on Backbenches, said there were more important things to talk about. The next day he apologised and said it was wrong of him to say that and he hadn’t meant to trivialise her situation.
Key said he would apologise to the victim but he just didn’t know her name, and if he knew her name he definitely totally would. Then when he knew her name he refused, on the grounds that it wasn’t serious enough.
Yeah dude, totally worth trying to draw a parallel there…
Well he actually said:
“I think all of the media, their heads should roll for making a fuss about bugger all. There’s kids starving in this country, there’s a whole lot of issues that we need to be dealing with right here right now.”
It’s sweet though. He apologised and didn’t mean to initially trivilise the issue in the slightest.
So lets not get confused about who said what because I am sure if the above had been said by, say, anyone from National you’d accept that they had meant that there were more important things to talk about and they apologised and said it was wrong of them to say that and they hadn’t meant to trivialise her situation.
So it’s all good.
You don’t remember when John Key trounced Clark in the debates? Theres a surprise
Nope, I’d been knocked off my bike by a car, and was is Hospital during the election in 2008.
Ah ok, fair enough
Obviously inventing a new definition for “trounced”.
‘s ok. Language is a dinimic invirimint. And I can always find another linguist with an opposite opinion, except when you ask me to, when suddenly I can’t.
he didnt trounce clark
he was expected to do very poorly and it was from that starting assumption that he was considered to have done better than clark – no trounce at all
why does such simple bloody stuff have to be repeated to you over and over again?
You really need to pull your head of whaleoils backside
No, Clark tried to save face by saying he was expected to do poorly and because he merely held his own it looked like he’d won, the truth was Key defeated Clark and made her lose her cool
He was expected to do poorly.
Your “oh look I’ve got a new handle” perspective of history is nothing to be trusted. Go look at what was being said at the time. He was considered a lightweight.
And no, there was no trouncing. He made it through the debate, and then he just squeaked through the election.
and yet has managed to win another election and see off Clark, Goff, Shearer and is about to see off Cunliffe
Not bad for just squeaking
Are you now disputing the closeness of the last two elections?
Come on chris, there’s bullshitting to make yourself feel better and then there’s just being a fuckwit.
@ p.r..
..that’s because stupid labour/green voters in epsom failed to engage their brains b4 voting..
..had they ‘engaged’ those brains..and voted for the national candidate..to get rid of the act candidate..
..key would have been a one-term prime minister..act wd b even deader in the water..
..and all of those assets wd not have been flogged off to the elites/lost to the people..
..that was one serious fucken brain-fade on the part of those labour/green voters..
..and i really really hope that they aren’t that stupid..
..as to vote without thinking..again…
And while I’m here – these headlines Headlines on Xtra yesterday – just about sum up the insane world we live in.
‘Kate Middelton’s brother making edible selflies’ – the clever little chap has set up a business printing Instagram snaps on marshmallows.
And,
‘Australian Boy in shocking Syrian picture’ – a young boy, reportedly the son of an Australian jihadist in Syria, is seen posing with a Syrian soldier’s head. The story is that Syrian government soldiers captured by the Islamic State jihadists are beheaded and their heads impaled on fences or used as props in pictures that the righteous upholders of Islam post on Twitter and Facebook.
(It’s funny how these maniacal anti-westerners are so into western media and imagery – e.g. the images of them posing in camp gear, legs spread in front of a dick extension (car) holding a dick extension (gun) in each hand – how much more junk-American could you get?)
I detest all men of violence and all proselytising religious fundamentalists but I especially detest the sociopathic arseholes who cynically manipulate them.
So – why are we suddenly seeing these horrifying images splashed all over the internet (on some Christian fundy sites they’re in all their gory glory, on MSM sites the heads are tastefully blocked out) – could it be to do with the Abbott government’s plans to introduce changes to the anti-terrorism laws? You know – the ones that aim at broadening the listing criteria for terrorist organisations, lowering the threshold for arrest without warrant for terrorism offences, extending police and intelligence agencies’ powers to stop, question and detain suspects, and making it easier for the Australian federal police to seek control orders on people returning from fighting abroad.
The Muslim community in Australia is justifiably appalled at the implications of these changes – so how useful to have proof of Australian jihadists involved in heinous war crimes.
The stench of hypocrisy is unbearable.
Nice observation
Auto spell checkers can throw up some interesting things – 5th sentence in post should read ‘camo’ gear not ‘camp’ gear.
shit..!..robin williams has committed suicide…
That’s sad. I read recently that he’d checked in for another shot at rehab. Guess it didn’t work.
That is very sad.
Wiki page is down due to servers being overloaded.
Damn
That sucks.
Good Morning Vietnam & Good Will Hunting – 2 of his best in a long CV
I like him in the Dead Poet’s Society.
http://miami.cbslocal.com/2014/08/11/actor-robin-williams-dead-at-age-63/
That’s a damn shame. Poor guy. Depression is a killer.
https://twitter.com/leighpaatsch/status/499020925182803968/photo/1
So sad. R.I.P Robin Williams – you were such a high energy character. A talented comedian, also an astute observer of humanity.
What a day, I am honouring the memory of friend who suicided last year. Today is her anniversary.
Off to the Gaza talk soon. Geez. Might have to take time out to give thanks for life and the light that we all carry within, the lantern of hope and steadfastness.
yeah. Great talent gone.
Chris Trotter gets it so right:
“John Key’s best-case scenario has always been one of mass political somnambulance: in which hundreds of thousands of voters, convinced by the pollsters and their journalistic interpreters that the election was already won, would march, zombielike, into the polling-booths and make the media’s prophecies come true. Kim Dotcom’s unparalleled ability to disturb and disrupt has put this fantastical scenario to the sword. Even worse (from John Key’s perspective) the political spell he has cast cannot now be recalled.”
Read the whole article here:
http://bowalleyroad.blogspot.com/2014/08/fking-john-key-how-kim-dotcom-and.html
And here Trotter says Cunliffe can do it:
http://bowalleyroad.blogspot.com/2014/08/we-have-lift-off-some-thoughts-on.html
And Trotter can get it massively wrong as well:
I really don’t want to live in a dictatorship.
“I really don’t want to live in a dictatorship”
Neither do I. Nor would I want to see a responsible Labour administration hamstrung and blackmailed by two bit little parties with limited appeal and narrow political harakiri inducing agenda who have nothing much to lose as they can simply put the boot and blame on the main party when the distraught fearful voters kick then out just after a term, gain more ‘feel good’ sympathy and steal lots more party votes off it.
Smaller the party vote to the smaller parties and smaller the tail, the better, in my carefully considered opinion.
That is why I will be giving both my votes to Labour this time.
That article of his was about land sales to foreigners which seemingly the majority of voters want to stop. Trotters position was that the larger parties should ignore this large majority of voters and do what they choose is best which is dictatorship and not democracy.
It’s got nothing to do with the smaller parties except that, by agreeing with the majority of voters, they’ll likely to become bigger.
I challenge any readers to look at Kiwiblog and the poll of polls graph published today. The graph speaks volumes.The Labour high point was September 13 when there was a leadership challenge. Look at the trend, the oh so important trend as people have got to know The Cunliffe. The optimism here in the face of facts could power the grid. What evidence is there of a groundswell upsurge to Labour. What makes anyone think that The Cunliffe will soundly trounce John Key in the TV debates. What evidence is there that people want an unstable coalition propped up by the extremists Harawira, Harre, Sykes and Minto?
Do you think the Labour TV ads will trounce the superb National ones.
National wants as many Party Votes as possible and some here will soon see the light and prove that they love New Zealand and will choose to give a positive vote to National the only Party who are Working for New Zealand.
Good propaganda, uses short. And long sentences which keep people captivated. Bad propaganda – see above.
lolz. I didn’t get past “I challenge any readers to look at Kiwiblog”
me either. Petula Clarke immediately sprung to mind: A-wishing and a-hoping…..
actually when that sprang to mind – so did Populuxe1, and I needed a lay down after perusing his recent expert opinion on all and everything; life and the universe; sugar daddies et al.
fisi-the tide has turned with a vengeance in the last 4 weeks. Key has lost control of events.
See the two Trotter articles I posted above.
Oh well if Trotter says it then it must be true, of course when Trotter was saying negative things about Labour he was vilified…
If the tide has turned as you and Trotter believe then the next poll will surely show National at about 43% Labour at 33% Greens 10% and IM 5% with Winston still being the kingmaker.
My prediction for the election more along the lines of National 48% Labour 26% Greens 9% and IM 2%. I do not think that National will poll over 50%. They will still require support parties.
It is too late to dump The Cunliffe. Shearer could probably have won. See you in 2017.
out of interest, how were they going in the weeks before the 2011 election, fistula?
Good enough to win the election
Are they as good this time around?
Because “almost good enough” is not “good enough”, even with the help of unclecousin and craigslist.
They’re as good as they need to be especially with the extra help KDC and Cunliffes giving National
I’d still like the numbers, though, given that the confidence of a dude who thought banks would walk out of court an innocent man isn’t worth all that much.
I got the call right, just not the time but how about my predictions about JK winning the election or Shearer beating out Cunliffe etc etc
no, you didn’t. You said he wouldn’t be found guilty.
As to the other “predictions”, yeah, right. You’re like someone who flips a coin and predicts heads every time, and claims he’s a seer because he’s correct about half the time.
We’ll see what you’ve got to say when Nationals returned to power
If that were to happen I would probably say something like “fuck”, because the country will continue going down the toilet.
Whereas if key is out on his arse, you’d be sad about not being able to live at the expense of your long-suffering fellow citizens, as well as suddenly finding out that you don’t know half as much as you think you do.
If Key loses I’ll just get on with building up my capital and generally doing what I’m doing
It won’t really make a whole lot of difference to my situation whos in
not so much a Puck as an Alcibiades, eh.
Should have kept Shearer. Actually liked the guy. He was honest.
Cunliffe is everything to everyone. No one trusts him.
That’s nice dear. Unfortunately it doesn’t count for much if the only people who like you are never going to vote for you.
You like honest in a leader? Who are you voting for in september?
Infused at 18.2.2.2. I trust Cunliffe big time.
yr an idiot fisi..
..int/mana are nearly at 5% already..
..and things are just kicking off..
..’2%’..eh..?
..ah well..at least you are in tune with the right-leaning members of labour here..
..who have also made that 2%-sneer…
getting it out of your system while you still can ?
Toryettes ?
Still got another 3 odd years to go to get it out of our systems 😉
“Still got another 3 odd years to go to get it out of our systems ;-)”
Yes PR they’ll be very odd years if the last 6 are anything to go by – in fact, not so much odd as awful.
I always knew the left didn’t like democracy
democracy is fine.
It’s the economic mismanagement and persecution of the victims that pisses me off.
fisi-the problem is that even the most recent poll dates from (on average) about 3 weeks ago. I have sensed a change even in those 3 weeks with Labour’s good launch, good policies from the Greens and Labour, Joyce’s arrogant/rude performance and the rise and rise of IMP.
But I agree it would take a couple of good polls for the left for this to be confirmed. A new Roy Morgan must be pretty close.
A sense…I’ve sensed that Nationals support is strengthening due to people getting more of an idea of what KDC is really like and Labour rolling policies that people see for the unaffordable bribes they are
The legacy of silk road lives on
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11307503
Look like high quality MDMA, guess those Dunedin students like a lot of love !
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/wairarapa-times-age/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503414&objectid=11307015
Again were, were is the evidence. I see two young men who smashed up some signs. BFW. Their politics is not mentions in piece – your making assumptions. With all the ass that brings.
Smashed up National signs only and, being that they look like small town bogans, they look like IMP or Green party voters (if they could drag themselves out of bed early enough to vote before the polls close that is)
Assumptions after the national signs thing. Or is that prejudice? The right showing it’s true colours, and it’s out and out hatred of working class whites – me thinks, yes.
exactly.
You’re assuming they’re working class, I think they’re unemployed bogans
PR your ignorance of language is, a wondrous ballet of violence.
Bogan is PC for white trash.
And white trash, are working class. And proud!
Working class are not white trash thank you very much, my family were working class and certainly wern’t trash I can assure you.
You’ve never really understood how a Venn diagram works, have you?
So if your family weren’t trash are we to assume that you are the proverbial “black sheep” of the family?
You know what they say about assumption…there arn’t any black sheep in my family
what’s the old joke – if you think your family doesn’t have one, you’re it.
Those young fellas are a couple of legends.
Hey it’s weird how there’s all these disenfranchised young people who hate John Key, eh? The wealthy baby-boomers who set the parameters for political discourse have been telling us for years that they don’t exist.
+1
It’s funny. I was like that too… and voted Labour. Then I woke up.
Good for you. When I was young I was selfish and thought nothing much mattered beyond the rights of the individual. One individual in particular, of course. 😉
A lot of young people are like that though. The neoliberal philosophies of National and ACT are little more than a teenager’s perspective of society. Pissing and moaning about cleaning your room as if it’s the greatest injustice on earth to have to tidy up after yourself, while expecting full and unfettered access to everything in the fridge by virtue of your mere existence.
But you live and you learn. I wouldn’t say it was a dream to be woken from – that’s a facile way to describe the never-ending, confusing, sometimes joyous and sometimes terrifying process of discovering what is and isn’t important.
” Pissing and moaning about cleaning your room as if it’s the greatest injustice on earth to have to tidy up after yourself, while expecting full and unfettered access to everything in the fridge by virtue of your mere existence.”
pure gold ! 🙂
They are legends because why?
legends for having the courage of conviction.
Well done lads
Legends for quoting Scooby Doo.
Yes, but but but, they arent playing by tge right’s rules….
As they’ve made a court appearance I assume those rules your talking about are the rules of law. Do the left play by other rules?
“the rules of law” my goodness that sounds serious.
I think Tracey was referring to the rules of political discourse.
“The right showing it’s true colours, and it’s out and out hatred of working class whites”
The Right don’t hate anyone that ‘works’, just the ones that ‘take’
“they look like IMP or Green party voters ”
really?
thats an incredibly dense thing to say
let me guess young and a bit poor looking?
I would have said drug taking, dirty no-hopers
Could be worse, could be convicted criminals like over 17% of ACT s MPs, ever!
So who was the labour MP then:
KGB files smuggled out of Russia reveal a former Labour MP was an informant for the feared Soviet spy agency and was given the codename “Gerd”.
How about corruption?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taito_Phillip_Field
Or this guy (or how to kill a legacy)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Kirk_(New_Zealand_politician)
However being that I don’t vote Act its a moot point
@ tracey..
..you cd invent a whack-a-mole game..with crim act-mp’s..
..bang one down..and up pops another..
given this quote to the media from one of the young men involved
“I would have gotten away with it too if it weren’t for those meddling kids.”
and they are undoubtedly toasted in that photo from to many “scooby doos”
I doubt they are particularly politically aware at this stage of their lives either way….
GSOH though !
lol
so how does that equate to the people who are smashing Labour and left billboards
Shining examples of those left in the ditch (excuse the assumption) by the nasty and mean policies and attitudes of the far right.
What on earth do you expect? You create a problem then cry like a baby when the problem bites back.
You lot hate people like this – it is hardly surprising they hate you in return. Wake up fool
Just a couple of scrote bag lefties that were stupid enough to be caught but the reality is most people don’t hate National most people in fact like National, just a minority of drop kicks that can’t understand why everyone doesn’t think likee they do
Well, we will find out soon, won’t we.
qed
And what do the faces of defacers of Labour billboards look like? I think I can tell you; as I put up a billboard to get jeered at by a ute load of good young farming stock driving by- “That won’t last the night.”
It didn’t. It disappeared. Stolen. From another farmer’s property.
So what do they look like? Well, at least the dog on the back of the ute looked intelligent.
http://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2014/08/july_public_polls.html
and if anyone missed it this is the poll of polls and its shows a good trend for Labour 🙂
Puckish Rogue, you’re spamming, and getting hysterical. Stop it.
First time I’ve heard uncomfortable truths called spamming
It’s just link after link after link with you. Not an original thought in your head or at least you don’t have the means with which to express one.
Realitys a cold, hard slap in the face innit, much easier to ignore the bad
Yes. Easier to attack grammer.
@PU
‘RNZ Afternoon’ (aka ChattyRad) has a locum today. Expect something better than the usual.
no..no..no…no….no…..
tHIS MITE HELP THE CAMPAIGN
KEEP LEFT AND VOTE THE SAME WAY
when you got to the polling to vote
Maybe we could have the election like the vote for the POPE
Except we all sit round and smoke a joint when its all over
i already do that…
..not vote for popes..
..the other bit..
In ’87 I did the other bit in style on a hotel rooftop in Cochabamba (Bolivia) when that f@ck$n Thatcher woman got back in.
Yeah but in a huge gathering in public and break a few of Keys fascist laws on all those public protest of a few years ago regarding Austerity in acted by “by the powers Powers “.Bloody prick should have been done for treason .
Cheers
Labours attempted pensioner bribe fails to impress.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/election-2014/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503581&objectid=11307324
Matt McCarten’s assumption that this policy would be loved is shown as just a cynical attempt to win office by giving a few dollars to middle to rich income pensioners. Given that most pensioners see the GP just 4 times year they might save just $200/year. but why give $200 to the super rich. This is not a policy it’s just a failed bribe. Kiwis are not stupid they can see when Labour is trying to con them.
fisi..fisi..most pensioners live on the pension..
..and that is not that much..
..so the appeal of this policy will be widespread..
..yet another nail in the coffin of the key govt..
Hoi! I am on Super and not rich. Cost about $50 plus $15 for Prescription. Would welcome this.
On the other hand there are many much worse off than me.
And the very rich could just use their private insurance and go to their pet GP and leave the free visits for others more needy.
I be a lucky chap.
Funny how rightwing Kiwis have 20/20 vision when it comes to a Labour policy that subsidises health care for pensioners but are as blind as moles when it comes to National’s tax cuts for the already rich.
A lot of pensioners are very poor – I don’t know where you live Fisiani but I see loads of older people in the supermarket counting every thing they put in the trolley trying to make their pittance cover the escalating cost of living. A lot of pensioners put off going to the doctor because they simply can’t afford the doctor’s fee and the cost and effort of getting there. Some have to go every 3 months to have prescriptions for controlled drugs renewed which doctors use as an opportunity to give a general check up.
As to your worry that this policy is giving money to the already rich – most rich pensioners are likely to vote National, which is the self professed guardian of the public purse, so, as good National supporters and responsible citizens they should pay for their GP visits or claim on their insurance thus saving the funding for the pensioners who need it.
You have such a dog in the manger attitude.
what depresses me at the moment is seeing pensioners delivering junk mail, i saw an old guy the other day & he could barely walk delivering mail, its not a high paying job to say the least! its a cruel world if you are poor. fuck you national.
I’ve seen the same where I live. A few days ago I saw an old man – clearly of retirement age – doing just such deliveries.
He didn’t want to look me in the eye.
Yep, we should be ashamed of the society we have in this regard.
Shameful.
Mind you, at least John Key is looking out for the underdog and downtrodden ……. bahahahaha… fuck
“Labours attempted pensioner bribe fails to impress” … The Herald Editor.
I applaud the move towards univeral rather than targeted benefits, which free primary care for pensioners and the family policies seem to be signalling.
Much less divisive and therefore more durable in terms of societal approval, especially for those in the middle who sit around the probable abatement levels.
Universal benefits at an entry level into services might(?) not that much more expensive than targeted benefits, given the administration costs of targeting.
Since National has put the price of prescriptions and doctors visits up it has probably given labour an extra 100,000 votes!
when those doctors visits are costing up to $100 per visit including multiple prescriptions its smart policy
Something that might speed things up is cutting the money political parties get to promote themselves and we as the voters just give them a day off on polling day and they can make and pay for the time they use on tv by using the broadcasting budget responsibly rather than sending their employees on unnecessary trips around the country, thats both the parties and broadcasters terribly boring but so is listening to a load of brainless posturing by politicians when we could have a few sessions on the manifestos of each party reviewed by some political “experts” on television of course it will take hrs because of the advertising but may be Crosby Textor could shut down the advertising for Key so that we might get a modicom of reality in this election and the tax payer funded usage of television time, yes some companies do pay tax ,might actually be worth something ,it mite even start the use of television as a tool for community education cause even the net is getting pretty fucked with the amount of stuff being censored and unbelievable time consuming sites that tell you next to nothing of value
Good Stuff!
Last night there was a great little program on Maori TV looking at the influence of Polls.
Lead by Stacey Morrison (good!) with Gavin White UMR, Prof Thomas Lumley, and Winston.
Winston was very informed and raised some of the issues discussed here in the past.
“Re-Think examines the role of political polls in our democratic system and looks hard at claims that they may not be accurate and can have an influence in the election outcomes.”
http://www.maoritelevision.com/tv/shows/re-think/S01E012/re-think-series-1-episode-12
<30minutes long.
Well worth watching, thanks for that.
The Israeli left pushes back.
https://twitter.com/Talkoholic
http://kabarita.wordpress.com/
http://stoparningisrael.tumblr.com/
It’s great to see Israelis and Jews outside Israel refusing to join Bibi’s ride to destruction. The fact that they are doing this will also help stem the anti-semitism that sometimes grows among people who are pro-peace and pro-Palestinian. As far as I know, the movements against war have existed for a long time in Israel, but have not been reported. With the rise of social media, the news is getting out.
Meanwhile in Britain, Zionists march with fascists such as the BNP and extremists such as UKIP, united by a hatred of Muslims. Things seem to be polarising, just like the 1930s.
How fascinating that IMP should have so quickly snapped up the chief architect of New Zealand First’s “Yellow Peril” nonsense…
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11307780
That’s funny, Winston First began 6 years before Frank Perry got involved. I seem to remember Winston raving on about the mansions in Howick from somewhere around the beginning. Still, I don’t take stuff you write at face value, so no harm done.
To Gosman,
Puckish rougue
Fiscani.
You are all are NatZ spinners.
How much does mister Key and co pay you?
I need a job. Maybe I as a senior I could make some easy money too?
You see I am a disadvantaged disabled pensioner that can hardly afford to live on the pittance my pension gives us to live on so I want to know how much are they paying for this job of yours?
I cant even afford to get my teeth fixed so maybe you can help me get some easy money you’re making?
Felix, I see Darren Watson’s FB page about the police telling a radio station to not play his Planet Key song is down. As is Watson’s FB page. I don’t use FB, but is that normal if someone is say removing content? Did anyone take a copy last night?
Video is still up on vimeo.
Felix’s comment yesterday http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-11082014/#comment-864345
From what I gather it turned out it was the Electoral Commission and not the Police who have been warning radio stations not to play the song.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11307794
Interesting, thanks.
Bit on 3news tonight too: http://www.3news.co.nz/John-Key-not-fazed-by-Planet-Key-video/tabid/1607/articleID/356547/Default.aspx
Gonna be on The Nation on saturday too
Is that the best that TV3 can do? No analysis of electoral law and how it might be being applied in this situation?
it’s a great song..v. cool animation..
..and collins dancing..is downright creepy..
..and should not be viewed by the sensitive..
Well, heh, those billboard defacers eh??
Methinks I can hear the beginnings of the sound of pitchforks rattling
Watch out you righties, even if Key gets in , it aint going to pretty anymore…….
Does anyone know if the IMP party list is out yet? I can’t find it online. I have the lists for IP and Mana separately but not a combined one.
Another term and FJK will be signing us up to three easy payments.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/defence/us-to-seek-to-boost-military-presence-in-darwin/story-e6frg8yo-1227021399220
The Myth of Ownership: Taxes and Justice
Sounds like a must read book for those of us interested in a better economic system.