Open mike 12/08/2016

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, August 12th, 2016 - 91 comments
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91 comments on “Open mike 12/08/2016 ”

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  1. Paul 1
    12 August 2016 at 6:18 am

    Chris Trotter tries to argue that Clinton is ‘progressive’.
    Comments below show what most think of that.

    One says.

    Take up gardening, Mr Trotter. It’s getting embarrassing. Of course there are differences between Clinton and Trump, but both could lead us to war. Clinton would do it deliberately and Trump would blunder into it.

    http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2016/08/11/hillary-clinton-progressive/

    http://nzagainstthecurrent.blogspot.co.nz/2016/08/youre-not-proper-progressive.html

    • Sabine 1.1
      12 August 2016 at 7:48 am

      and for what it is worth, US American will not vote for their President on the ‘war’ issue.
      the US Americans have no issue going to war as long as the war is fought somewhere else. They will however vote for ‘progressive’ things such as health care, well funded schools, the much re-build of infrastructure etc, and on the other side of the aisle they will vote for ‘second amendment’, they will vote to outlaw abortion, they will vote to expel Obama Care (while flawed and still to expensive has provided insurance for several million of people).

      I don’t understand why people don’t get this. War in its abstract, overseas form is not something that a democrat or a republican will vote on. They will vote on domestic issues as much as the National Voter in NZ voted to keep is Capital Gains.

      Politics begins at home, so that notion that these guys are going to do something good for the world is just useless. They will vote for the one that will bring back jobs, bring back a bit of pride, bring back the bacon so to speak. They will do the same here.
      Nothing to do with progressive or conservative.

      and yes, much like here , they – the voters – individually care very little about how their vote will affect someone else far far away.

    • Matthew Whitehead 1.2
      12 August 2016 at 8:48 am

      I don’t know, judging by the dogpile I got when I tried to argue that Clinton is a right-wing democrat, (which she evidently is if you look at how weak her “wins” against corporations are, and her stances on anything but healthcare, and even the details of what she supported and opposed during the healthcare reform) a lot of people here wouldn’t disagree too loudly with her being a progressive, because apparently she’s left-of-centre in their view, as opposed to someone right-of-centre who gets away with it due to her party ALSO being on average right-of-centre, despite being the leftmost option.

      • Puckish Rogue 1.2.1
        12 August 2016 at 9:18 am

        If she were in NZ she’d be considered to the right of John Key and not by a small margin either

        • Matthew Whitehead 1.2.1.1
          12 August 2016 at 9:34 am

          See I wouldn’t go quite that far, she’s probably at about the same place economically as John Key, but is more commited to being a liberal than he is at the very least.

          That said, in a less corrupted political system, she would probably be more left-wing, so while she’s objectively right-wing, it is fair to say that she’s also typical for a Democrat in many ways.

          • Grumpy 1.2.1.1.1
            12 August 2016 at 1:16 pm

            In many ways Trump is more left wing. What we are seeing is he disintegration of labels. The Republicans see themselves as the voice of the disenfranchised worker and middle classes,, while the Democrats fasten onto the bankster feed tube and embrace identity politics.

            • Matthew Whitehead 1.2.1.1.1.1
              12 August 2016 at 1:56 pm

              Trump is a populist. He’s not very left-wing as a principle, but he supports some left-wing positions that Hillary doesn’t. (or more genuinely than she does such as on opposing TPP)

              But more than being left or right, the most relevant label for Trump is that he’s an authoritarian, and not just in the small way that conservative policians engage in authoritarianism by restricting small liberties here and there. Trump outright has no problem with banning media, inciting violence, and requiring proof of allegiance. He belongs in the garbage with the other dictators and would-be-dictators of the world.

      • Sabine 1.2.2
        12 August 2016 at 10:08 am

        Yes, she is a conservative as was her husband and now Obama. I think that US Americans still have ways to go before they would vote for a true progressive. They had Kucinic, heck look what happened to Carter and his Solar Cells on the White house …..

        But, she is still more to the left than anyone on the republican side in regards to gender (especially the right to choose, the right to control ones fertility etc), education, infrastructure, race and yes even poverty.

        Is she a lefty, nope and I don’t think she ever sold herself as one, but she is in the US american sense a progressive.

        • Anne 1.2.2.1
          12 August 2016 at 10:16 am

          Exactly Sabine.

        • Grumpy 1.2.2.2
          12 August 2016 at 1:13 pm

          And another one bites the dust! Still think the Clintons are wonderful?
          http://www.infowars.com/friends-of-dnc-linked-shawn-lucas-freaked-out-by-his-death/

          • Sabine 1.2.2.2.1
            12 August 2016 at 3:34 pm

            http://www.businessinsider.com.au/dnc-seth-rich-wikileaks-politicize-2016-8?r=US&IR=T

            “In a statement to Business Insider on Wednesday, Rich family spokesperson Brad Bauman thanked investigators and implored high-profile figures to stop attempting to “politicize” Rich’s death by perpetuating unfounded theories about the shooting.

            “The family welcomes any and all information that could lead to the identification of the individuals responsible, and certainly welcomes contributions that could lead to new avenues of investigation,” Bauman said in the statement.

            He added:

            “That said, some are attempting to politicize this horrible tragedy, and in their attempts to do so, are actually causing more harm that good and impeding on the ability for law enforcement to properly do their job. For the sake of finding Seth’s killer, and for the sake of giving the family the space they need at this terrible time, they are asking for the public to refrain from pushing unproven and harmful theories about Seth’s murder.””

    • Anne 1.3
      12 August 2016 at 9:56 am

      There is selective commenting going on over there. I posted a comment upholding Trotter’s line of thought… not because I’m a Clinton fan but because I detect the same sort of one-sided hysteria creeping in to the anti-Clinton rants as is happening in Britain with the anti-Corbyn rants. Comment never appeared. It’s happened before so don’t think I’ll bother to go there again.

  2. Tony Veitch (not the partner-bashing 3rd rate broadcaster) 2
    12 August 2016 at 6:29 am

    Thom Hartmann explodes the myth of ‘free trade.’

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROf1arimLH8

    Now, the problem is: how can we force the entire National Party (and the Labour Party too) to watch this short 7 minute clip? It should be required viewing for all aspiring and incumbent members of parliament!

    • Bill 2.1
      12 August 2016 at 11:18 am

      That was a fairly reasonable run through of free trade.

      Not convinced that VAT acts as a de-facto tariff though. The example he gives (German made cars) means, as I understood it, that a German consumer will pay 19% VAT on any new car, no matter where it’s been manufactured…so no advantage to German car manufacturers on that front.

      That the 19% VAT is dropped if the car is exported doesn’t strike me as meaning that German car manufacturers get an advantage over US car manufacturers in the US market either.

      But maybe I missed a detail.

      I still think the clearest example to use for illustrating what free trade is and how it works, is that of the British – chopped off the thumbs of Indian weavers to ensure that Indian cotton was processed in Paisley, Manchester etc.

    • Draco T Bastard 2.2
      12 August 2016 at 11:19 am

      He starts off using the words comparative advantage while describing absolute advantage. He ends by describing sales taxes (GST, VAT) as a tariff.

      Now, he’s absolutely right that the so called free-trade deals have made things worse after protectionist policies made things better. But by getting those two things completely wrong he’s undermining the entire argument.

  3. 44 south 3
    12 August 2016 at 6:44 am

    The latest post over at “Fred On Everything” re Trump/Clinton and Russia sums it up pretty well.

    • Garibaldi 3.1
      12 August 2016 at 7:14 am

      Thank you 44 South. That does sum it up well.
      There is a great doc. series called “The Unknown War” which details the Russian role in WW2. It is a real eye-opener to see what Russia endured and how they won the war for us all.
      Also I like watching Putin when he has press conferences – he has a great grasp of the issues and addresses them with sound reasoning.

      • Draco T Bastard 3.2.1
        12 August 2016 at 11:39 am

        It is easy to regard countries as suprahuman beings that think and take decisions and do things. Practically speaking, countries consist of a small number of people, usually men, who make decisions for reasons often selfish, pathologically aggressive, pecuniary, delusional, misinformed, or actually psychopathic in the psychiatric sense.

        That sounds about right and what you end up with when only a few people are making the policy decisions rather than the entire nation.

  4. Puckish Rogue 4
    12 August 2016 at 8:17 am

    Well done Luuka, from being ranked 28th in the world and qualifying last to storming to silver is a fantastic effort

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/olympics/83091604/rio-olympics-2016-luuka-jones-reaches-womens-canoe-slalom-final

    Well done lads, doing what you need to do and doing better then anyone else

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/olympics/83090966/rio-olympics-2016-backtoback-mens-pair-gold-medals-for-hamish-bond-eric-murray

  5. ianmac 5
    12 August 2016 at 8:28 am

    Parata parades the achievement levels creeping forward but what are the kids loosing? This says it all for parents and grandparents and meddling politicians.

    “The truth—for this parent and so many others—is this: Her child has sacrificed her natural curiosity and love of learning at the altar of achievement, and it’s our fault. Marianna’s parents, her teachers, society at large—we are all implicated in this crime against learning.”
    http://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2015/08/when-success-leads-to-failure/400925/?utm_source=atlfb

    • Draco T Bastard 5.1
      12 August 2016 at 11:49 am

      Above all else, we taught her to fear failure. That fear is what has destroyed her love of learning.

      And that is what our education system has been doing to a lot of people for a very long time. Not passing a course is seen as a failure and that brings persecution in various forms from all quarters. That persecution breeds fear.

      • ianmac 5.1.1
        12 August 2016 at 12:00 pm

        DTB. A science friend never answered the questions posed by his kids. Instead he would muse seriously the question, and add another question. The kids are both seriously curious enquiring adults now.
        Surveys of NZ classrooms show that kids do not ask questions. They just answer the teacher’s ones. No time they say but…

  6. Ad 6
    12 August 2016 at 8:35 am

    Silver Fern Farms is having its special shareholder meeting about its takeover by Shanghai Maling today. Apparently, control of the Board and of appointing the Chief Executive from New Zealand interests to Shanghai Maling doesn’t constitute a “major transaction” under the Companies Act 1993, so a special resolution of shareholders is not required.

    The Companies Act says a company must not enter into a major transaction unless the transaction is approved by special resolution.

    NZFirst has been leading the political charge to oppose this sale.

    Separate but related, NZFirst’s Land Transfer (Foreign Ownership of Land Register) Amendment Bill has been pulled on the Parliamentary ballot yesterday. United Future and the Maori Party are likely to have the deciding vote.

    Silver Fern Farms is by a fair shake the largest meat processor in New Zealand, and dominates the South Island. It’s one of New Zealand’s largest exporters. They have 19 processing sites across the country. At peak season they employ around 7,000 workers. Those 16,000 farmers are also shareholders.

    I am pretty pissed off that this has even got this far.

    We took over a century to gradually pull back control of processing from colonials like Borthwicks. Silver Fern Farms are now most of the way to giving over our a major chunk of our farming economic sovereignty to Chinese foreign commercial interests. I wouldn’t care what country they were: selling out something this important representing so many farmers is utterly wrong and should be stopped.

    • Gangnam Style 6.1
      12 August 2016 at 1:17 pm

      SIlverfern says it doesn’t matter what gets decided today, the deal is going ahead regardless.

    • Macro 6.2
      12 August 2016 at 1:19 pm

      ^^^^ THIS
      Totally agree Ad.

      We took over a century to gradually pull back control of processing from colonials like Borthwicks. Silver Fern Farms are now most of the way to giving over our a major chunk of our farming economic sovereignty to Chinese foreign commercial interests. I wouldn’t care what country they were: selling out something this important representing so many farmers is utterly wrong and should be stopped.

      QFT.

      • Draco T Bastard 6.2.1
        12 August 2016 at 4:32 pm

        Yep, it seems the only people who can see the damage to our society that foreign ownership produces is everybody except economists, politicians and RWNJs. Unfortunately, it’s the politicians making the decisions often in corruption with the RWNJs.

  7. Molly 7
    12 August 2016 at 9:35 am

    Gordon Copeland has an article in the Herald today: ARC’s urban boundary to blame for evil of land banking.

    I attended that meeting – and a few others like it – as a member of the community.

    He lays the blame on ARC and the 2008 Parliament for the MUL.

    It’s a redirection at best, and misdirection at its worst.

    While attending the Unitary Plan workshops, I came across a hard copy of proposals that would offset the likelihood of land banking. This was produced by Auckland Council, and I only picked up the single copy that was there alongside the rest. My attempts to find an online copy that afternoon – for posting to the community – failed.

    Included in this document was reference to a number of mechanisms that could be employed by Auckland Council. One was “capital value uplift” tax. ie. if your property was rezoned, then you would pay a tax on the increased capital equity when you resold (at increased value) or developed.

    This alongside an increased land tax on undeveloped residential land, would have mitigated some of the issues he points out in his article.

    I raised these choices in a few subsequent meetings, most particularly memorable with John Duguid, Head Planner in charge of the Unitary Plan. He dismissed it immediately, as having been discounted as an option. By who – he didn’t say.

    I now wonder if I picked up a document that was not available to the public for discussion. It was a very small turnout in Freeman’s Bay, and I spent a few minutes talking to a very tired but personable Len Brown.

    I wonder if it was a document inadvertently left on the public consultation table.

    The Unitary Plan consultation did appear to start off with the best of intentions, but the process – from my perspective – is now controlled by the usual suspects and short-term thinkers.

  8. Wayne 8
    12 August 2016 at 9:55 am

    Molly,

    I would imagine the main reason why it was rejected is that the Auckland City has no legal power to impose such a tax.

    The city, or any local govt, can only impose rates and charges for services delivered.

    Taxes, and such a thing as a “capital value uplift’ tax would certainly be a tax, are the domain of central government. There is no way it could have been characterized as a rate.

    And taxes should definitely remain the domain of central govt, they are accountable in a much more direct way for any taxes they impose. Any new tax or increased tax requires an act of parliament.

    • Molly 8.1
      12 August 2016 at 11:44 am

      Many cities around the world, London included, have such a tax.

      If you are stating that legislation cannot be changed regarding local government, then I disagree.

      In the last few years there have been many changes to the local government acts at national level. (Including the capping of development charges that are then subsidised by the ratepayers.) A government is in place to make changes to benefit citizens and residents long term – or it is not. An act of parliament to invoke this tax around the country is a good outcome. And that tax can be returned to the council’s for specific community uses, I have no problem with that.

      Your opinion that tax should remain the domain of central government ignores the rates (if not the GST on those rates) paid to local governments.

      The issues of unfettered or badly designed development is felt at local level.

      And mitigation or considered planning has to be at that level, else disconnected communities result.

      Examples of this is apparent in the consolidated Auckland Council, and could be noticed even in some of the larger district councils, where the smaller communities were neglected or disregarded.

    • Draco T Bastard 8.2
      12 August 2016 at 4:42 pm

      And taxes should definitely remain the domain of central govt, they are accountable in a much more direct way for any taxes they impose.

      I disagree with that for four reasons:
      1. A city/region should have control of the land within it’s borders and be able to make decisions for the betterment of the city including adding taxes to alter behaviour in regards to that land
      2. The central government should only be setting broad policy that the city/region then make local laws to uphold
      3. The central government is not accountable to the rate payers at all
      4. Central government doesn’t have the information or the flexibility to govern the regions as well as the country whereas the local councils do. It’s actually why we have local councils and not just central government

  9. Anne 9
    12 August 2016 at 11:02 am

    What a load of discombobulated crap from Andrea Vance.

    https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/opinion-little-doing-poor-job-telling-labours-story

    She describes Andrew Little as waxing desperate with imagination. She’s the one waxing desperate…

    And how about this:

    In an astonishing and undignified episode, he tongue-lashed Wellington mayoral candidate Nick Leggett and left-wing commentator Phil Quin, and humiliated his Napier MP Stuart Nash.

    Left wing commentator Phil Quin? Who is she trying to kid? He’s the one who resigned publicly and dramatically over the “Chinese sounding names debacle” she claims later in the article. Yeah… Phil Twyford as been fully vindicated since.

    Have always suspected Ms Vance is a two-faced journo. Now I know.

    • Anne 9.1
      12 August 2016 at 11:34 am

      Further excerpt:

      And some on the centre-right are daydreaming about what a new party would look like: a front bench with (electable) talent like Shane Jones, Josie Pagani, Leggett, Nash and Davis.

      Davis excepted (I have a lot of time for him), what’s in her drinking water that’s fried her brain?

      • Bearded Git 9.1.1
        12 August 2016 at 12:09 pm

        Pagani on the Labour front bench…aaaarrrrghhh my day ruined….

        • Draco T Bastard 9.1.1.1
          12 August 2016 at 4:45 pm

          Apparently that would be the front bench of a new party. One that, like Act, will have to make deals with National to even get into parliament.

      • Karen 9.1.2
        12 August 2016 at 1:03 pm

        I used to have some respect for Andrea Vance but this opinion piece looks like it was written by Matthew Hooton. What absolute nonsense!

        Davis is NOT part of that rightwing cabal, despite all attempts by some to claim otherwise. Most of us were relieved when Andrew Little exposed Leggott as a rightwinger with Act support, and were also pleased to see Nash brought into line.

        Leggott, Pagani, and Quinn have been plotting to move Labour rightwards for years but it is clear that they no longer have any influence within the party. Cosgrove and Goff are on their way out and they are obviously panicking. That Vance bought their spin is deeply disappointing.

        • Gangnam Style 9.1.2.1
          12 August 2016 at 1:22 pm

          Recall we had trolls smearing Vance as a Labour stooge, well maybe half true (right wing Labour stooge?), no matter, I was always weary of her opinions as she was always a ‘Labour did it too’ repeater. Pal of Pagani maybe?

        • Anne 9.1.2.2
          12 August 2016 at 3:10 pm

          Davis is NOT part of that rightwing cabal.

          I’m picking she threw his name into the ring to give the ‘cabal’ some respectability.

          Bear in mind where Vance learned her trade… The News of the World. She’s brought their trademark underhand tactics with her. I should not be surprised if she wasn’t doing a bit of a counter-spin job for the govt. because they are under a lot of pressure at the moment.

          • Roflcopter 9.1.2.2.1
            12 August 2016 at 3:45 pm

            You need your own episode on X-Files.

          • Karen 9.1.2.2.2
            12 August 2016 at 3:59 pm

            I actually think Vance is one of the better journalists we have in that she does usually do research.

            This article suggests to me she is friendly with Josie Pagani who often appears on TVNZ to represent the left (even though she is not at all left) and Vance has all too easily swallowed the Pagani/Leggott spin. Poor effort from someone who should know better.

            • Anne 9.1.2.2.2.1
              12 August 2016 at 5:07 pm

              You could be right Karen. After all Vance is new to NZ. Doesn’t have the background of knowledge and understanding of NZ politics (no doubt thinks she does) so could be easily mislead by the likes of the Paganis/Quins or Leggotts of this world. It suggests to me she needs to do more research and start talking to the people who actually know what they’re talking about. Eg. Andrew Little.

              • Chuck …
                12 August 2016 at 5:30 pm

                Wow…are you suggesting that Vance cannot think for herself?

                Easily mislead…why? because Vance is female? that’s how you sound Anne.

                Could you not accept that maybe Vance wrote the article based on “her considered opinion”? instead of getting nasty…

                • Anne …
                  12 August 2016 at 6:29 pm

                  Pffft… reading what’s not there. Anyone can do that. I take it you are a typical misogynist male trying to project your failings on to a female? 😎

                  • Chuck …
                    12 August 2016 at 7:01 pm

                    “Doesn’t have the background of knowledge and understanding of NZ politics”

                    “so could be easily mislead”

                    “It suggests to me she needs to do more research and start talking to the people who actually know what they’re talking about”

                    No, I am on solid ground here Anne…you don’t like what Vance has said so you play the “poor wee thing” BS…

                    From what I can see, Vance says what she thinks…if it critical of the left or right I don’t care.

                • Rodel …
                  12 August 2016 at 6:46 pm

                  Chuck-Now that’s a real troll attempt at diversion. Unconvincing though.
                  Anne..add a Pffft from me too.

      • Rodel 9.1.3
        12 August 2016 at 7:03 pm

        “And some on the centre-right are daydreaming about what a new party would look like: a front bench with (electable) talent like Shane Jones, Josie Pagani, Leggett, Nash and Davis.”
        Vance should be ashamed to think she’s any sort of journalist to invent such deliberate fabrication. It’s reminiscent of The News of the World semi- criminal rubbish.

    • whateva next? 9.2
      12 August 2016 at 2:44 pm

      Vance is cooking up drama for ratings….Andrew was absolutely correct to explain to Stuart Nash it is “not a good look”…What about Vance asking Nash what his game is? If Hekia was doing a speaking engagement with Justin Lester, would Key have something to say?? We can’t even imagine it as it would not happen, cheers Stu, managed to divide people again.

      • b waghorn 9.2.1
        12 August 2016 at 5:21 pm

        It made Mr Little look like a strong leader imo , minions need chipping into line occasionally , ( I know because I ‘ve had the odd boss chip me when needed)

      • Cinny 9.2.2
        12 August 2016 at 6:56 pm

        she used to work for “News of the World” for sure she is cooking up drama for ratings. Good call

    • Chuck 9.3
      12 August 2016 at 3:49 pm

      Andrew Little made it very easy for Vance to write that piece.

      And as for Phil Twyford…39.5% of houses are sold to people with Chinese sounding names…yeh right “Phil has fully vindicated” NOT!!

      • Anne 9.3.1
        12 August 2016 at 4:33 pm

        Where have you been in the last few weeks? Estate agents, financiers, journos (the real ones), various other expert commentators have been publicly condemning the govt. for not reining in the foreign based speculators who are the main driver of the escalating house prices and ALL of them are conceding that the most significant group are from China. The only people NOT conceding this fact is the govt. who are manipulating the figures in an effort to conceal the truth. Everyone knows it except Chuck – and his little band of fellow rwnj cohorts.

        • Chuck 9.3.1.1
          12 August 2016 at 5:09 pm

          Sorry Anne but foreign based speculators are NOT the main driver of escalating house prices.

          Twyford took a leaf out of Winston’s bag of tricks and ran with it.

          • Draco T Bastard 9.3.1.1.1
            12 August 2016 at 5:45 pm

            Sorry Anne but foreign based speculators are NOT the main driver of escalating house prices.

            Ah, more lies from a RWNJ – as expected.

            The evidence is that foreign speculators are pushing up house prices here in NZ, in Canada and other places around the world.

            But, of course, you knew that.

            • Chuck 9.3.1.1.1.1
              12 August 2016 at 5:59 pm

              “Sorry Anne but foreign based speculators are NOT the main driver of escalating house prices.”

              Draco please read again…”NOT the main driver”.

              Any buyer in the market (when supply is limited) can be said to have an effect on escalating house prices.

              So to be clear – are you saying that foreign based speculators are THE main driver of escalating house prices in Auckland?

              • Poission …
                12 August 2016 at 6:27 pm

                46% of residential house sales in AK are to investors.

                Of that number 5% are to offshore domiciled foreign investors,and a further 15% to temporary visa holders aka foreign investors.

                remove 20% of the players from any market it will contract ie elasticity you do understand that part don’t you?

                • Anne …
                  12 August 2016 at 6:42 pm

                  Regardless of the source, I guess they are the govt’s manipulated/massaged figures you are quoting. The govt’s lying through their teeth and anyone with any nous knows it. Hence the reason so many financial and real estate experts have been going public with the truth. Easy enough to disguise their foreign-based credentials by arranging for NZ based associates to ostensibly buy the properties while the money is coming from off-shore investors who remain incognito.

                  • Poission …
                    12 August 2016 at 7:01 pm

                    Yes the delay in the second round of money laundering legislation in which nz is an outlier suggests incompetence,or a requirement to check with the governments corporate sponsors.

                • Chuck …
                  12 August 2016 at 7:33 pm

                  There were 57,678 property transfers in total over the three months (second quarter). Only 1749 of them involved foreign buyers and 1560 foreign sellers, both including trusts and businesses.

              • Draco T Bastard …
                12 August 2016 at 6:59 pm

                So to be clear – are you saying that foreign based speculators are THE main driver of escalating house prices in Auckland?

                Yes.

                1. They’ve got far more money than the majority of people in NZ
                2. As Poission points out, even a small increase in demand will adversely affect house prices and 20% isn’t a small increase.

      • Draco T Bastard 9.3.2
        12 August 2016 at 5:23 pm

        Ah, so you admit that it’s an attack piece.

    • Stuart Munro 9.4
      12 August 2016 at 4:35 pm

      Quin is on a par with the Conservative’s Stringer. Even his friends don’t like him.

  10. joe90 10
    12 August 2016 at 11:06 am

    The man truly is a pig.

    Secret Service had to protect MSNBC’s Katy Tur after Donald Trump incited crowd against her https://t.co/VVLZBaoU95 via @dailynewsbin— mdtoorder (@mdtoorder) August 10, 2016

    • Grumpy 10.1
      12 August 2016 at 1:20 pm

      You need to get out more…..as in don’t get all your information from the same sources.

    • Bearded Git 11.1
      12 August 2016 at 12:59 pm

      That would be one of the leaders of the block that is level with National in the polls and rising.

    • TC 11.2
      12 August 2016 at 1:46 pm

      Vance shows shes just another jonolist, like we needed proof.

    • whateva next? 11.3
      12 August 2016 at 4:04 pm

      Vance responds to a tweet offering a more rational view of the feedback Nash got from Little:
      “the point I was trying to make is there should be room for more ideas and less nastiness!”
      Talk about “nasty” Andrea?

  12. joe90 12
    12 August 2016 at 12:49 pm

    Better late than never – Zeynep Tufekci updated her article on the dumping of the details of female voters in Turkey.

    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/zeynep-tufekci/wikileaks-erdogan-emails_b_11158792.html

  13. joe90 13
    12 August 2016 at 1:11 pm

    Bolton, huh.
    /

    Trump: 'We Are Seriously Thinking About' Picking John Bolton as Secretary of State – @BreitbartNews https://t.co/WhAjcQMBtR— Indira Lakshmanan (@Indira_L) August 11, 2016

    http://www.iraqwar.org/bolton.htm

  14. marty mars 14
    12 August 2016 at 1:18 pm

    Dickhead alan duff gets some learning from Leonie Pihama

    “Each column written by Alan Duff is yet another repetitive Once Were Warriors theme. We continually get themes of: Once Were Losers, Once Were Whingers, Once Were Drop Outs… the list goes on and within it the themes continue to reflect what is in fact Alan Duff’s inability to grasp the fundamental underpinning issues of the impact of colonisation, and how that has specific and particular consequences for Indigenous Nations. This is somewhat ironic, given that the position Duff takes in virtually every column is a reflection of those impacts, and are reflected constantly as the justification for Māori people being bashed by him on regular basis. Perhaps it is because Mr Duff has never taken to the time to seek out pathways for understanding his own self hatred and the hegemony of that. Hegemony, being the internalisation of self hatred, and the internalisation of the belief that to be successful in this society is to act, write, speak and live as the reflection of your coloniser (The definition is provided here as the column indicates that Mr Duff has difficulty with such terms as hegemony, colonisation and imperialist arrogance – all of which are states of being that are reflected in Mr Duffs column).”

    https://tewhareporahou.wordpress.com/2016/08/11/just-another-excuse-to-bash-maori-a-reply-to-alan-duff/

    Hat tip – Kim

  15. ianmac 15
    12 August 2016 at 4:23 pm

    @ No Right Turn:
    “(Clinton on TPPA) I oppose it now, I’ll oppose it after the election and I’ll oppose it as President,” the Democratic nominee told supporters at a factory in Michigan.”

    Wow! Hope it works out that way. Meanwhile Key is going ahead with a rushed omnibus Bill to change our laws to fit TPPA.
    http://norightturn.blogspot.co.nz/2016/08/the-tpp-is-dead.html

    Ps. Forgot to post this this morning. Too late?

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  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #29 2024

    Open access notables Improving global temperature datasets to better account for non-uniform warming, Calvert, Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society: To better account for spatial non-uniform trends in warming, a new GITD [global instrumental temperature dataset] was created that used maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) to combine the land surface ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 week ago

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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