Open Mike 13/04/2018

157 comments on “Open Mike 13/04/2018 ”

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1. Ed 1

   13 April 2018 at 6:18 am

   Robert Fisk writes an excellent article condemning Theresa May.

   Theresa May, your words about chemical warfare make you a hypocrite

   As Theresa May gears up for war in Syria, we should remember what hypocrites we are about chemical warfare in the Middle East.
   Not a soul today is mentioning the terrible war fought between 1980 and 1988, which was fought with our total acquiescence. It’s almost an ‘exclusive’ to mention the conflict at all, so religiously have we forgotten it.

   https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/theresa-may-syria-war-uk-chemical-weapons-attack-iran-iraq-thatcher-russia-a8300881.html

   Meanwhile Craig Murray continues to shine the spotlight on the other lie. The one about spies. The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons has published its report on the Salisbury incident.
   It would appear Theresa May has been telling some massive lies.

   The word “Russia” does not occur in today’s OPCW report. The OPCW Report says nothing whatsoever about the origin of the chemical which poisoned the Skripals and certainly does not link it in any way to Russia.

   The technical ability of Porton Down to identify a chemical has never been in doubt, and the only “finding of the United Kingdom”the OPCW has confirmed is the identity of the chemical.

   There are scores of countries that chemical could have come from. For the BBC and other mainstream media outlets to pretend that the OPCW has in any sense endorsed Boris Johnson’s claims about Russia is to spread deliberate lies as propaganda. In fact what they have confirmed is simply the finding of Porton Down – and that finding was that it is a chemical which cannot be confirmed as made in Russia.

   https://www.craigmurray.org.uk/archives/2018/04/opcw-salisbury-report-confirms-nothing-but-the-identity-of-the-chemical/

   What a wise decision by the Coalition government to refuse to get involved in all this.
   • McFlock 1.1

     13 April 2018 at 3:55 pm

     So, just to be clear, the Skripals and the police officers weren’t affected by dodgy seafood, insecticide, or a weird planetary alignment. It was in fact a novichok agent, even though according to Craig Murray it couldn’t have been that because novichok is “instant acting” and Porton Down couldn’t identify it anyway.

     That’s some expert commentary, right there. /sarc
     • Morrissey 1.1.1

       13 April 2018 at 5:10 pm

       Idiot.
       • McFlock 1.1.1.1

         13 April 2018 at 5:21 pm

         And yet if my summary were incorrect, you would have said why.

         So if even an idiot can see the contradictions and flat-out inaccurracies in Murray’s statements, why would anyone use him as an authority on this matter?
2. Ed 2

   13 April 2018 at 6:19 am

   Another canary in the coalmine.
   Climate catastrophe is happening.

   We cannot afford to tinker.
   An international emergency needs to be declared.

   We need to mobilise for World War 3.
   The war to save life on our planet.

   Is the Gulf Stream about to collapse and is the new ice age coming sooner than scientists think?

   Two new studies published in the scientific journal Nature have brought a new threat to the world’s attention: the shutdown of the Atlantic Ocean currents including the Gulf Stream.

   Barely a day goes by without new research emerging warning humanity of its impending doom, but the collapse of the Gulf Stream is an event with particularly ominous connotations.

   Scientists have previously linked disruptions to Atlantic currents with everything from heatwaves in Europe to rising sea levels in coastal US cities.

   https://www.independent.co.uk/environment/gulf-stream-ice-age-collapse-climate-change-amoc-global-warming-a8301511.html

   Meanwhile the Herald thinks this is more important.

   ‘Shopper claims she wasn’t allowed to try ring on because of her race.’
   ‘TV3’s in house war over Taika’s racist comment.’

   And Stuff thinks this is more important.

   ‘Khloe Kardashian gives birth to baby girl.’
   • cleangreen 2.1

     13 April 2018 at 7:56 am

     Yes Ed – and today on Newshub AM Show we witnessed more ‘biased’ industry reaction to the new Labour Government policy of “Energy Policy” using Duncan Garner as their trumpet sadly;

     Regarding Duncan Garner;

     Duncan Garner was this morning on the AM show’ viciously attacking labour’s newly released Energy Policy, while at the same time was seeming to be supporting National’s abysmal past policy again, and not following up with labour’s Phil Twyford asking Judith Collins when will national begin to plan to turn off the oil tap, then when Garner had the chance to drill Collins he failed repeatedly without asking national Judith Collins “when will National stop oil drilling in NZ” – a sorry sight there.

     Garner should feel ashamed of his bias shown today. His children will suffer if he doesn’t wake up now and fight to turn off the oil tap.
     • reason 2.1.1

       13 April 2018 at 8:37 am

       When National talk about energy there is a one worded reply which displays their pig ignorant beliefs ….. Lignite

       I wonder what happened to all the valuable farmland purchased to chase this national party rainbow of shite … it had the usual rainbow treasure hunters results.

       Th Pike river non-compliant killing zone …..and running solid energy into insolvency attest to Nationals slash and crash management skills.

       Garner represents color blind segregation …. Economic segregation favoring the wealthy
       • dukeofurl 2.1.1.1

         13 April 2018 at 9:13 am

         national is also telling lies about jobs in “exploration”

         Just looked at Fiztroy Engineering in New |Plymouth contract list

         This is a typical recent example
         “Managing the logistics and the erection of 6000 tonnes of structural
         steel for the new Christchurch Hospital Acute Services Building,
         Canterbury, New Zealand”

         There is work related to oil refining – in Australia

         “Ongoing onsite planning and coordination of the relevant
         subcontractors for the fabrication and installation of structural
         steel, pipe spooling and pump skids across all areas of the Caltex
         Lytton Refinery, QLD, Australia”

         Their work seems connected to Construction rather than Exploration.
         http://www.fitzroyengineering.com/about/contracts-history.html
         • Chuck 2.1.1.1.1

           13 April 2018 at 8:00 pm

           Fitzroy’s main business is in oil and gas (look after the guys that look for the stuff). structural steel is a sideline brought in when the oil price nosedived.
     • Chris T 2.1.2

       13 April 2018 at 8:51 am

       Maybe if Twyford wasn’t screaming “lies!!” the whole time anyone else was trying to talk and making stupid promises that no jobs will be affected Garner could have actually got a word in edgeways.
       • Stunned Mullet 2.1.2.1

         13 April 2018 at 9:17 am

         Garner and Twyford went to high school together – old sparing partners, probably cak themselves laughing off screen.
         • Bearded Git 2.1.2.1.1

           13 April 2018 at 10:42 am

           sparring
         • alwyn 2.1.2.1.2

           13 April 2018 at 1:17 pm

           Your theory seems a little bit unlikely.
           The term “went to high school together” does rather imply that they were at the school as pupils at the same time.
           If this is actually true, and they really were at Westlake Boys High School at the same time, could you please tell me.
           Was Phil Twyford a really, really slow learner?
           Or was Duncan Garner a child prodigy?
           I ask because Twyford was born on 4 May 1963 and Duncan Garner on 6 March 1974. Twyford is almost 11 years older and it seems a little unlikely that they were actually at the school at the same time.
           • Stunned Mullet 2.1.2.1.2.1

             13 April 2018 at 2:10 pm

             Old boys get togethers Alwyn… discussing all the jolly good radishings and all that..
             • alwyn …

               14 April 2018 at 9:51 am

               I take it that you went to the same school, did you?
               Did you enjoy your time there?

               I notice that the school doesn’t seem to be very keen on publicising the fact that Twyford went there. Their entry in Wikipedia lists Duncan Garner as being an old boy but there is no mention of Twyford. The only politician listed is an Auckland Councillor, John Watson. I guess if he was an old boy of my old school I wouldn’t boast about it either.
               https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westlake_Boys_High_School#Notable_alumni
3. Tony Veitch (not etc) 3

   13 April 2018 at 6:25 am

   Goodness, you just know things are complicated when even Fox News urges caution on Syria!

   https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=252&v=cSGf2ZpDENU

   Just over 7 minutes long.
   • Ed 3.1

     13 April 2018 at 6:27 am

     Sanity from FOX.
     Now I know this just a bad dream….
     • Jenny 3.1.1

       13 April 2018 at 6:50 am

       Business as usual from Fox

       Fascism and fascists always get a free pass from Fox News
       • Tony Veitch (not etc) 3.1.1.1

         13 April 2018 at 7:30 am

         Did you actually watch the clip?

         Just asking because your response seems completely at odds with the content.
       • reason 3.1.1.2

         13 April 2018 at 9:02 am

         Business as usual around here is Jenny calling al-nusra / ISIS types … ‘rebels’

         White helmet speak.

         Regarding Fox, …did they criticise the Banderite / right sector in the violent western backed coup in the Ukraine Jenny ??…….

         How about the Croatian Ustashe linked fascists in the NATO driven destruction of Yugoslavia http://emperors-clothes.com/docs/croatjews.htm

         “”What worries us is that those in power in Croatia now are largely the same as during the Nazi era,” said Dr Klara Mandic, a senior Jewish community leader at yesterday’s ceremony. ”In some cases, they are exactly the same people, now in their seventies and back from exile under the Communists. In other cases, they are the children of the Ustashe.

         ”They wear the same black shirts, the same black trousers, many carry the same ”Serbo-seks” knives for the Serbs . Tudjman the Croatian President would not dare touch Jews now that we have our own state to protect us. But he has prepared an atmosphere similar to that at the start of the Second World War and the fact is that many of the Croatian groups are out of his control.”.

         Fox definitely pick and choose which fascists they diss ….

         Apart from war …. whats your other preferred road to peace in Syria Jenny ??
       • mikes 3.1.1.3

         13 April 2018 at 6:57 pm

         Jenny, do you even know what fascism is?
         • Ed 3.1.1.3.1

           13 April 2018 at 7:03 pm

           I would have thought the Army of Islam was quite undemocratic…..
   • AsleepWhileWalking 3.2

     13 April 2018 at 6:52 am

     I’d say a great job by alternative media and people who share it. Puts pressure on everyone else to either attempt truth or risk their braindead viewers seeing through their façade.
   • mauī 3.3

     13 April 2018 at 7:27 pm

     Excellent work from Tucker. A journalist really doing his job.
4. Jenny 4

   13 April 2018 at 6:33 am

   Trump’s phoney war on Syrian fascism.

   https://www.stuff.co.nz/world/americas/103072064/donald-trump-says-syria-attack-very-soon-or-not-so-soon-at-all

   The US has bombed Syria lots of times, (but, just not the regime, if he can avoid it.)

   America bombs Syria,

   Syria bombs Syria,

   Israel bombs Syria,

   Russia bombs Syria,

   Turkey bombs Syria.

   None of those doing the bombing can tolerate a free Syria.

   Or indeed a free Middle East.

   https://www.theguardian.com/world/video/2016/feb/04/drone-footage-homs-syria-utter-devastation-video
   • Wayne 4.1

     13 April 2018 at 8:09 am

     So in your mind a free Syria would be one which can attack Israel with impunity, have Assad use chemicals on whichever his people he wants, and which is a secure haven foe ISIS terrorism.

     Strange definition of free.

     Countries are limited in the amount of freedom they are allowed. Being a base to attack other countries (ISIS), using chemical and nerve gases are generally seen as being a limit on state freedom.
     • Stunned Mullet 4.1.1

       13 April 2018 at 8:51 am

       I believe you are incorrect with your assertions Wayne.

       Jenny’s position on Syria, which she may choose to explain herself, is more nuanced than many and she is staunchly pro the Syrian people and anti all those who are making their lives miserable in particular she is very critical of Assad and his enablers.
       • reason 4.1.1.1

         13 April 2018 at 11:30 am

         you sound like a bit of a war crime enabler yourself stunned mullet

         https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzg99i-mhAA&feature=youtu.be
         • Stunned Mullet 4.1.1.1.1

           13 April 2018 at 11:52 am

           Whereas your comments have all the intelligence of the follow through from a bottom belch.
           • reason 4.1.1.1.1.1

             13 April 2018 at 12:53 pm

             I presume thats your effort at a derail Stunned Mullet

             more info on Waynes darling ….. Israel ….

             neither side owns the moral high ground during this period.
             This same scholarship also reveals that the
             creation of Israel in 1947-48 involved
             explicit acts of ethnic cleansing, including
             executions, massacres and rapes by
             Jews.
             48
             Such atrocities have taken place
             in many wars, of course, but their occur-
             rence in this period undercuts Israel’s claim
             to a special moral status.”

             “Israeli personnel have tortured numer-
             ous Palestinian prisoners, systematically
             humiliated and inconvenienced Palestinian
             civilians, and used force indiscriminately
             against them on numerous occasions.
             During the first intifada (1987-91), for
             example, the IDF distributed truncheons to
             its troops and encouraged them to break
             the bones of Palestinian protestors. The
             Swedish “Save the Children” organization
             estimated that “23,600 to 29,900 children
             required medical treatment for their beating
             injuries in the first two years of the
             intifada,” with nearly one-third sustaining
             broken bones. It also estimated that
             “nearly one-third of the beaten children
             were aged ten and under.”
             54
             Israel’s response to the second intifada
             (2000-05) has been even more violent,
             leading Ha’aretz to declare that “the IDF
             … is turning into a killing machine whose
             efficiency is awe-inspiring, yet shocking.”
             55″ http://mearsheimer.uchicago.edu/pdfs/IsraelLobby.pdf

             “Since 1970, China has used its veto power eight times, and Russia (and the former Soviet Union) has used its veto power 13 times. However, the United States has used its veto power 83 times, primarily in defense of allies accused of violating international humanitarian law. Forty-two of these US vetoes were to protect Israel from criticism for illegal activities, including suspected war crimes. To this day, Israel occupies and colonizes a large swath of southwestern Syria in violation of a series of UN Security Council resolutions, which the United States has successfully blocked from enforcing. Yet, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton insists that it is the Russians and Chinese who have “neutered” the Security Council in its ability to defend basic human rights.”
           • Gabby 4.1.1.1.1.2

             13 April 2018 at 1:02 pm

             Colostomy bag salesman Stunted?
             • Stunned Mullet …

               13 April 2018 at 2:11 pm

               Contents of said colostomy bag Gobby ?
           • mikes 4.1.1.1.1.3

             13 April 2018 at 7:00 pm

             Did you guys go to school together?

             Hang on, I meant to say did you guys go to the same school but not together?

             Hang on…
       • Jenny 4.1.1.2

         14 April 2018 at 4:38 am

         Thank you Stunned Mullet for your show of support.

         But personally, I don’t feel that my position on Syria is that nuanced. In fact my position is quite simple.

         I will never support a regime that commits genocide. Simple as that.

         It is one of the reasons I keep posting the video of the destruction of Homs, and inviting the pro-regime commenters, or authors, to give me their remarks. Despite giving them many opportunities to do so. Not one of them has ever had the courage to venture an opinion, on what clearly is vision of hell on earth. (or at least its aftermath).

         https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DoRdCbDd50o

         What is unique about the drone footage of the genocidal destruction of the rebel city of Homs, is that it was taken by a camera fitted to a Russian Drone and was first aired on RT the Russian propaganda channel.

         Weirdly, everything else that RT put out is frequently cited uncritically by supporters of the regime.

         I also, don’t support shooting of unarmed protesters in the streets.

         Nor can I support detention without trial, and/or disappearances.

         Nor do I support torture.

         Nor can I support, the silencing and murder of journalists.

         Nor do I support, the murder of singers.

         In forming my opinion, it helped, that I had actually been to Syria. (admittedly not when the revolt broke out, but only a matter of months before). And I can attest to the deep hatred and contempt for the Assad regime commonly held by the Syrian people. I can also attest to the regime as an oppressive Orwellian police state, that none of us would want to live under.

         Most of my time in Syria I spent in the Northern city of Latakia, and mostly in the company of Palestinian refugees in the camp there. This camp was one of the very first civilian areas shelled by regime in 2011.
         I was back in New Zealand at the time, but I followed the live feeds of the bombs falling on a place I knew well.
         No doubt some regime supporters will have the gall to tell me that the live feeds were fake and I mistook the places I was familiar with.

         These same people may have the gall to tell me that a person called Ibrahim Qashoush was an unperson. A comment that George Orwell’s Winston Smith’ could have related to.

         https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCS8SsFOBAI

         Some of these same people will no doubt tell me, that the Arab Spring which, by sheer weight of numbers of the millions who took part is the biggest popular revolt in human history, was a CIA plot. They may even provide links to prove it.

         https://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-02-04-2018/#comment-1469006
     • reason 4.1.2

       13 April 2018 at 10:17 am

       HHHmmm Who to believe????

       Wayne Mapp ….. or an Israeli generals son.

       Just who is telling the truth about war, violence and Israel?.

       https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOaxAckFCuQ
     • Macro 4.1.3

       13 April 2018 at 12:03 pm

       No Wayne – that is not Jenny’s stance on Syria (a country in which (I gather from a previous comment) she has lived and worked). As Stunned Mullet says, her position is more nuanced than most here, and I support her stand on this.
       The people of Syria have ben starved, bombed, gassed, cast out of their homes, murdered, and generally abused by a tyrannical regime since the major drought of 2005. I’m sure that in Jenny’s eyes – a free Syria would be one without conflict, without the oppression of Assad, and at peace with its Neighbours. The people of Syria have had enough.
       • mauī 4.1.3.1

         13 April 2018 at 7:39 pm

         A free Syria could be modelled on a free Iraq, free Afghanistan and a free Libya I spose… The tyrants are gone, are you happy now? Was it worth it? Why do countries always turn into hell holes after the west takes an interest in them..
         • Macro 4.1.3.1.1

           13 April 2018 at 10:51 pm

           One of the consequences of war, whoever the antagonist, is just that – a power vacuum that results in a breakdown of stabile government. The situation in Syria will inevitably result in an unstable region for some time to come. But let’s get this quite clear – the revolt of the people in Syria erupted not from insurgents from the west – but from within. People have been fed up with the corruption and abuse of power from the Assad regime since at least 2005. Food prices in 2006 were skyrocketing following the worst drought in history – and the drought persisted. Assad did nothing to assist the people and lived in obscene luxury. The resulting chaos and the arrival of ISIS was inevitable.
     • dukeofurl 4.1.4

       13 April 2018 at 1:08 pm

       “syria a secure haven for ISIS terrorism’ ?

       The country doesnt matter, the Saudis who back the ISIS group will just find another country…. surely you noticed where Osma Bin laden and his supporters were based.
       They will just move to another country even if Syria and Iraq were occupied by US troops.
       Remind us again how ISIS ended up in Iraq and how the Syrian civil war backed by US , Turkey and Saudi/UAE grew into a larger conflict
     • One Two 4.1.5

       13 April 2018 at 3:28 pm

       Interesting exposure in your comment, Wayne…

       Seems a nerve was touched in your interpretation of Jennys comment…

       Were you as open about the Palistinians who were gunned down by IDF recently…
5. AsleepWhileWalking 5

   13 April 2018 at 6:56 am

   Power outage – is it true that if you live in the city but are off grid that you still are forced to pay line charges??

   Seems unfair.
   • savenz 5.1

     13 April 2018 at 7:17 am

     I think that if you are truely off the Grid then you don’t have to pay line charges.

     But if you have solar or what have you but still are connected to the grid then you pay. In countries like Germany they gave incentives to have solar energy so they did not have to pay to upgrade the grid as well as more sustainable in the long run.

     But in NZ they have decided to target people with solar and charge them more. We are a world joke!

     Here is an article on way-to-be-cleared-for-big-electricity-players-to-prey-on-lowincome-households

     Remember you can have a heat pump and insulation but if people are too poor to pay for power (or the power is off due to storms) then you have no heating.

     Obviously investment in solar will reduce the amount that people have to pay, but that gets the power company up in arms because their profits will be effected. So what does the government do – cave in.

     https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/opinion/102708888/way-to-be-cleared-for-big-electricity-players-to-prey-on-lowincome-households
     • tracey 5.1.1

       13 April 2018 at 7:29 am

       Note also that selling back to the grid used to be as high as 17c. It is now 7 or 8 cents.
       • AsleepWhileWalking 5.1.1.1

         13 April 2018 at 10:44 am

         And that is outrageous too. Should be able to set a take it or leave it price.
         • alwyn 5.1.1.1.1

           13 April 2018 at 1:26 pm

           Who do you propose should be able to set a “take it or leave it price”?

           I suspect that the power companies would be quite happy not to have to take any power from people with their own Solar generation. If they could I am sure that they might set a price of 0.001 cent/kwh. Such power tends to be erratic and is only supplied back to the grid at a time when there is little demand for it. It really isn’t easy to store surplus electricity for use when it is in demand.
           • Stuart Munro 5.1.1.1.1.1

             13 April 2018 at 6:17 pm

             “It really isn’t easy to store surplus electricity for use when it is in demand.”

             Unless one has glommed public hydro generation assets.
           • mikes 5.1.1.1.1.2

             13 April 2018 at 7:10 pm

             “It really isn’t easy to store surplus electricity for use when it is in demand.”

             So if they’re not that fussed about getting power back does that means there is quite a surplus of power in the system. And if there’s a surplus, why are we charged so much? Let me guess, power prices have gone up so much in recent years because privatization is always cheaper, more efficient and provides a better deal for consumers…Wait a minute!!
     • AsleepWhileWalking 5.1.2

       13 April 2018 at 9:16 am

       Thanks for this.

       Govt should be encouraging independence even if just solar hot water. One storm and half a major city is pathetically waiting for rescue.
     • The Chairman 5.1.3

       13 April 2018 at 11:19 am

       Taken from your link, savenz

       “These regulations, Minister Woods has now signalled, are to be dumped overboard to clear the way for the industry to increase its squeeze on the poor. Recognising that will probably leave more and more poor households unable to pay, and so cut off from supply, the industry’s solution is for taxpayers to subsidise electricity purchases by the poor, thereby underwriting the electricity industry’s profits in the same way as the Accommodation Supplement has enabled landlords to hold up rents.

       “Woods duly refers to ‘the wider context of supporting New Zealanders to afford their energy bills’.”

       Are these subsidies going to be in the form of the Winter Energy Payments the Government has announced?
       • David Mac 5.1.3.1

         13 April 2018 at 7:29 pm

         Chairman, you seem to be in a state of perpetual dismay over what New Zealand isn’t doing for you.

         For anything beyond getting by it appears you’ll need to make your own arrangements.
     • OnceWasTim 5.1.4

       13 April 2018 at 2:05 pm

       They managed to get away with all sorts of things @savenz.
       We should for example, be telling suppliers to relocate their meters onto the nearest lamp post, since at the time of privatisation, they managed to shift ‘demarcation’ points such that they could have it both ways.
       You’re responsible (financially) to fix any cable problems from the lamp post, YET their meters (their property) is more often than not way past the demarc point.
       Cost shifting.
       I also seem to remember a guy around the bays in Wellington with an efficient wind generator. Most of the time his electricity was sufficient to keep his Ferranti Meter going backwards.
       Oh NO! they thought – we can’t have this. Think of what might happen if others do the same!!
       We want to be able to charge you for electricity at OUR rate, but if you give us electricity, we want it at OUR rate too!
       Ekshully, don’t get me started. We could go through all that spin an shit about ‘baseloads’ and other stuff, and smart meters versus the basic ripple control.
       It’s bloody tedious.
       I think it’ll eventually come back to the point that where there are natural monopolies, such as with reticulation of the basics (water, shit-pipes, electricity, fibre – or copper, gas supply, etc., railway lines, roads et al), these things must be in public ownership or government [local or central]), OR they need to be heavily regulated.
   • mikes 5.2

     13 April 2018 at 7:03 pm

     Depends how off the grid you are. But it’s simple really, they can’t give you an invoice for line charges if you don’t have an account with them.
6. tracey 6

   13 April 2018 at 7:28 am

   Gordon Campbell takes David Parker to task over his announcement of the Afganostan inquiry. The NZDF commander is sounding strong and confisant but still not being pressed on why he said the name of the village in Hit and Run was wrong, when it was right. There is a difference between no comment on the groubds of National Security and lying to the NZers whose lives and fundamental rights you say you fight for.

   Parker was playing politics yesterday and if you closed your eyes it coukd have been National speaking.

   http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1804/S00040/gordon-campbell-on-the-hitrun-inquiry.htm
   • OnceWasTim 6.1

     13 April 2018 at 2:38 pm

     Well there’s the worry @Tracey. Not too dissimilar as to whether other Munsters want to confront the obvious spin and bullshit from “their officials” busy trying to protect their arses, be they in MPI, OR MSD, or MoT (NZTA), or MBIE, or Health, or Education, or, or, or….
     Expediency, or pragmatism, or whatever bullshit excuse they want to offer to an uncritical MSM, it’ll eventually end badly for them (the spin meisters or the Johnalists).
     It’s why I don’t get too upset or emotionally involved these days. They’re unknowingly experts in shitting in their own nests and self-copulation
7. adam 7

   13 April 2018 at 7:37 am

   OH look Yanks have more spin than Kiwis.

   https://knock-la.com/the-biggest-rent-strike-in-la-history-burlington-tenants-vs-slumlord-attorney-lisa-ehrlich-52917abc79a8

   Our slumlords get a free pass every time in Auckland, well they have a compliant media and Tory party to back them up.
   • savenz 7.1

     13 April 2018 at 7:47 am

     What do you think the Natz were up to in Auckland… if you get off the racial profiling and just look at the concept of displacement which in NZ is bringing more people into Auckland, and pushing those out into other parts of NZ, pushing those out, you will be more on the money.

     Even if you somehow got enough money to buy back into Auckland, you need to be able to earn enough to cover the increasing rates and costs that brings with how the Auckland council is behaving giving away rates money like a lolly scramble to big business while depriving non core areas or siphoning it off into consultants pockets so that nothing is being upgraded ahead of time.

     Which is turning our city into a slum while creating ‘shock doctrine’ thinking… to ram through ill thought out plans that are counter to democracy or even reasonable thinking.
     • adam 7.1.1

       13 April 2018 at 8:31 am

       The Tories had no plan, that is why we have so many problems in Auckland.

       It’s more cock-up theory than a conspiracy.
       • Stunned Mullet 7.1.1.1

         13 April 2018 at 8:53 am

         Who are these tories you speak of ? Goff, Brown, Hubbard, Banks ?
         • patricia bremner 7.1.1.1.1

           13 April 2018 at 11:42 am

           The Council has had many National members and the Mayor gets one vote.
           They fought any improvements and hog tied changes quite often. Real nimbys, the Citizens and Rate payers Association.
           • Stunned Mullet 7.1.1.1.1.1

             13 April 2018 at 11:51 am

             There’s also a considerable number of City Vision and openly Labour candidates as well as the independents.

             I’d prefer the general public to have more of a say myself rather than the council cabal.
     • mikes 7.1.2

       13 April 2018 at 7:16 pm

       I certainly wouldn’t disagree with your views on this, but am more inclined to give council, etc less credit. I think that they really have no clue and are winging it..
8. savenz 8

   13 April 2018 at 7:54 am

   I hope the 50 million spent of emergency housing in hotels, is being beefed up… because the new housing is more of what you would call the gentrified type….
   • OnceWasTImothy and others 8.1

     13 April 2018 at 7:25 pm

     Isn’t a ‘crisis’ enough reason to perhaps declare a state of emergency and call in the army to erect some temporary shelters?
     Oh no, that’s right, it’s only those bloody poor people and beneficiary bludgers that can’t handle putting a roof over their heads. It can’t really be a crisis
     • Exkiwiforces 8.1.1

       13 April 2018 at 11:45 pm

       I’ll think there is bugger all tradies left in the Green in the Machine, unless they trained a heap more the during the PRT deployments? as they had stuff all during the ET deployments as a result of the No Mates Party defence cuts in the 90’s. The manta back then was you don’t need these tradies all doing in house work, like the old MoW so you can get rid of them. Then along came Bosnia, the Sollies , ET and the Sandpit deployments etc etc.

       Bring back the MoW I and the DSIR I say?
9. savenz 9

   13 April 2018 at 8:03 am

   He’s baaaack….

   Trump wants US back in the Trans-Pacific Partnership – report

   http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/money/2018/04/trump-wants-us-back-in-the-trans-pacific-partnership-report.html

   If your first thoughts are ‘get us out of here’ then

   https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/sc/make-a-submission/document/52SCFD_SCF_ITE_76583/international-treaty-examination-of-the-comprehensive-and

   I’m not against a trade agreement but it’s not a trade agreement… it’s a security arrangement, asset striping double speak, that has been piggy backed by corporations to asset strip countries and leave the mess behind… and if you don’t like it, they can sue you in their illegal (EU Ruling) court.

   Seriously if there is some blow out between China and US, probably the Pacific would be a good place for the show down, and it hasn’t worked out too well, for the Middle East civilians to be in the middle of oil/cultural war…

   Even worse if China and US get together and we have some sort of hybrid of their business and human rights style come to the Pacific…
   • James 9.1

     13 April 2018 at 8:12 am

     Great news about this.

     It will be even better with the US in there.

     Best thing labour have done signing this.
     • Pat 9.1.1

       13 April 2018 at 8:14 am

       lol…stirrer
       • savenz 9.1.1.1

         13 April 2018 at 8:23 am

         Yes, Trump is also my idol and so is Xi Jinping. If only we can bring their wise ways to NZ and both join TPPA and exploit all the holes in the agreement for their economic and strategic gain, it would be my dream country.

         I’m also truely grateful for David Parker, who cleverly negotiated that ‘7 out of 10’ agreement. 10 out of 10 was too much pressure, obviously. And Jacinda has banned new oil but luckily when Natz get in again, we will already be in TPPA to get their agenda back on track.

         Likewise the rise of the right and totaliarialism across many countries. Luckily we will be tied into an agreement that does not really consider any future risks including changes of government, new policy and climate change.
         • cleangreen 9.1.1.1.1

           13 April 2018 at 8:33 am

           Ha ha savenz

           Donald Trump is just firing blanks here, – as he knows he needs to change TPP far more than it is now.

           So it may make our new labour Government now own up and declare now that it’s new ‘side’ agreement’s may be in jeopardy?
       • cleangreen 9.1.1.2

         13 April 2018 at 8:27 am

         Yes James the “EX Aucklander always is a stirrer see my reasons for opposing TPP.
         • Pat 9.1.1.2.1

           13 April 2018 at 8:33 am

           theres every chance that Trump will change his mind in a 3a.m. tweet tomorrow….James delights in winding everyone up.
           • savenz 9.1.1.2.1.1

             13 April 2018 at 8:44 am

             Of course US will come because of
             Chinese military expansion into Vanuatu aimed at Australia and NZ

             https://thedailyblog.co.nz/2018/04/10/chinese-military-expansion-into-vanuatu-aimed-at-australia-and-nz/
             • savenz …

               13 April 2018 at 8:49 am

               But then China will come and NZ is piggy in the middle.

               We love you US and that is why we have 5 eyes, We love you too, China, because we sold all our assets to you.

               We turn a blind eye to any moral or human rights issues these days, and actually we have plenty of our own in NZ to worry about… https://thedailyblog.co.nz/2018/04/11/justice-delayed-is-justice-denied-what-the-latest-grotesque-national-party-underfunding-has-done/
               • savenz …

                 13 April 2018 at 9:10 am

                 We love you too Australia because we export to you too, in spite of your human rights on refugees and others, and we can disagree with you because at least we are culturally similar and you are less likely to get offended and try to make us pay for our opinions.

                 Funny enough, probably not a good idea to enter into binding poorly worded agreements where the power imbalance is so unequal like TPPA and the cultural fit and interpretation is so wide.
         • James 9.1.1.2.2

           13 April 2018 at 8:49 am

           I’m not an EX Aucklander. Currently live in Coatesville – very much part of Auckland.
           • savenz 9.1.1.2.2.1

             13 April 2018 at 9:02 am

             Could be a mining plant, chicken factory or some thing else coming your way, there James, I’d have a contingency plan to bail out.

             Unfortunately once there you generally can’t sell that easily or get enough to move somewhere of the same quality of life.

             I know quality of life is something that is alien to both left and righties these days. It’s seems to be more important to just be alive and consuming stuff as an economic unit, the quality is irrelevant.
             • james …

               13 April 2018 at 9:09 am

               “Could be a mining plant, chicken factory or some thing else coming your way, there James, I’d have a contingency plan to bail out.”

               Im confident you are wrong on this one for sure.
               • savenz …

                 13 April 2018 at 9:12 am

                 Life is such a lottery these days. I’t didn’t use to be like that, but one stoke of a Auckland council’s pen or the RMA and there will be nothing you can do about it, because their is only the pretence of democracy – the reality Auckland is starting to run like China – top down.
                 • patricia bremner …

                   13 April 2018 at 12:01 pm

                   Not all together savenz. Twyford stopped the State house sell off. Had those tested for P retested treated if needed and people back in them.

                   Repairs and upgrades are now happening. I laughed when the Nats said “Costs are 7 times what landlords are spending” Well … when some landlords spend nothing on improvements, it would be easy to out spend them. Twyford is doing great.

                   Granted “affordable” is a poor choice of word by MSM. $600 000 is much better than $1000 000 though, and there has been $300 000 for a 1 bed apartment and $ 450 000 for two.

                   Yes winter is coming, but this government will do their utmost to house people and keep them warm and fed.
                   • The Chairman …

                     13 April 2018 at 12:48 pm

                     Labour’s shortcomings in the number of state homes they are prepared to build is problematic, thus a concern.
                   • McFlock …

                     13 April 2018 at 1:04 pm

                     thanks for your concern
                   • patricia bremner …

                     13 April 2018 at 5:54 pm

                     The Chairman, the Coalition are committed to building refurbishing and giving a bit more certainty for those in a state house.

                     The huge numbers brought in each year through loose immigration, has stressed housing beyond belief. You must admit that at least, and that the last government did not provide public housing to match it, or private either. Hence the horrific prices.

                     So Key did well when he sold his house in their created market of shortages. $ 21 000 000 Makes me fume. “What shortage?”
                     “What a fekker!!!” As my Irish ancestors would say
       • James 9.1.1.3

         13 April 2018 at 8:43 am

         No I mean it.

         I’ve always been in support of it.
         • Pat 9.1.1.3.1

           13 April 2018 at 8:45 am

           Im sure you do…the wind ups a bonus,eh
           • savenz 9.1.1.3.1.1

             13 April 2018 at 8:51 am

             Maybe’s Parker’s ‘7 out of 10’ scenario means he only thinks we could have a 30% chance of something bad happening. 30%, quite good odds, ah, maybe,
             • Pat …

               13 April 2018 at 9:09 am

               this is Trump we’re talking about here….it may become of concern if there is some official action regarding reopening negotiations…think the US may have its hands a little full at the moment.
           • James 9.1.1.3.1.2

             13 April 2018 at 8:52 am

             It’s not a wind up. I really believe it was the best thing for New Zealand.

             The fact that labour were dishonest and misled people who were against it – when they were always going to sign – makes me laugh because it was always going to happen.

             It IS good for New Zealand. That’s why both main petite will be supporting it.

             People arguing against it simply are ideological or have less knowledge than the people actually working on it.

             Besides muttonbird on here tells me most kiwis have had all their concerns addressed by labour and are all ok with the signing now – so that must be right.
             • savenz …

               13 April 2018 at 8:56 am

               I guess that potential 1/3 of 1 percent gain over decades is worth all the risks, eh James.
               • james …

                 13 April 2018 at 9:10 am

                 Ask Cindy – Her government signed it.
                 • savenz …

                   13 April 2018 at 9:16 am

                   Yes but your preferred government negotiated it. The reality is, they both sold us out because seriously, you trust that they did a good job?

                   Our Met service can’t even predict bad weather that accurately and tens of thousands of people have no power. It does not sound like fingers on the pulse of our government and officials.
                   • james …

                     13 April 2018 at 9:21 am

                     I trust National did a good job – yes.

                     Labour – Im sure they stuffed parts of it up.
                   • solkta …

                     13 April 2018 at 9:26 am

                     Our Met service can’t even predict bad weather that accurately and tens of thousands of people have no power.

                     I think you can blame Woolworths for that. The MetService have the same problem as James Shaw, those magic wands are just shit.
                   • Robert Guyton …

                     13 April 2018 at 9:56 am

                     The Saudi sheep deal’s a great example of just how good a job National did.
                   • James []

                     13 April 2018 at 10:56 am

                     So Robert – you all happy with the new tpp?

                     Think that’s a good dea ?
                   • Robert Guyton …

                     13 April 2018 at 9:59 am

                     National do a great job when negotiating deals – remember the Saudi sheep deal debacle?
             • Draco T Bastard …

               14 April 2018 at 12:58 am

               It IS good for New Zealand.

               Except for the fact that it isn’t. From it we’ll see more poverty and deprivation while a few make out like the bandits that they are.

               As we’ve seen over the last thirty years.
     • tracey 9.1.2

       13 April 2018 at 9:28 am

       Maybe james. The US have shown themselves to be protectionists and bullies.
       • savenz 9.1.2.1

         13 April 2018 at 9:38 am

         I don’t even know why protectionist is such a bad word these days. Surely you want to protect workers, your environment, your country?
         • Draco T Bastard 9.1.2.1.1

           14 April 2018 at 1:01 am

           Because protectionism stops the rich pricks from stealing everything and they really don’t like that and as they own the MSM and the economists we dutifully get told that it’s bad.
     • Cinny 9.1.3

       13 April 2018 at 1:28 pm

       Lmao James, I wonder if those who signed will let him back in, I think Agent Orange is feeling left out and is bloody dreaming re TPP.
       • James 9.1.3.1

         13 April 2018 at 3:22 pm

         I think you will find they will be extremely happy to have them back in.
         • Cinny 9.1.3.1.1

           13 April 2018 at 4:14 pm

           Maybe they would be exempt from recent USA tariffs as a result?
           • McFlock 9.1.3.1.1.1

             13 April 2018 at 4:22 pm

             lol there’s the rub. He wants to start a trade war with China at the same time as joining a trade agreement with countries that have FTAs with China.

             TPP was soft power. Trump doesn’t understand soft power. He’ll probably fuck it up somehow, even if he’s serious about trying to get back in.
   • cleangreen 9.2

     13 April 2018 at 8:23 am

     Yes if USA joins then they will shaft us all as they did Canada and Mexico already in the NAFTA trade agreement which is in tatters.

     Canada has more lawsuits against itself now in this NAFTA agreement then any other country globally.

     https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2015/01/13/canada_being_sued_for_billions_under_nafta_investor_protections.html

     Do we want to go bust trying to keep our Government control over keeping unscrupulous so called investors out NZ that could totally undermine our futures?
     • James 9.2.1

       13 April 2018 at 8:44 am

       Nonsense.

       Labour always knew it was a good deal. That’s why the signed it so quickly.
       • savenz 9.2.1.1

         13 April 2018 at 8:54 am

         Yes, Labour, James is pleased, not enough to vote Labour though I’ll expect.

         Quite a few Labour voters are vitriolic though, but no worry, just like the houses, bring the people in and the market will provide the houses, transport and wastewater and power.. oh and if they don’t then the taxpayers will and we will raise the taxes. simple.
         • james 9.2.1.1.1

           13 April 2018 at 9:29 am

           “Yes, Labour, James is pleased, not enough to vote Labour though I’ll expect.”

           Of course Im pleased and no wont be voting labour.

           At least National said they were going to sign it – Labour sucked you in.
           • McFlock 9.2.1.1.1.1

             13 April 2018 at 1:06 pm

             By cunningly saying what they’d do? Damned fiendish, these Labour politicians.
10. cleangreen 10

    13 April 2018 at 8:13 am

    Why the hell are the municipal Authorities using chlorine in all drinking water around our country now as it has been proven to cause cancer?????????

    http://www.pure-earth.com/chlorine.html

    Can’t we use “food grade” ‘high purity’ Hydrogen Peroxide instead?

    Hydrogen peroxide has been proven to not cause any serious medical effects and also prevents many diseases.

    Florida USA also uses Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2) in many residential and commercial pools now. – Time we woke up here in our so called “clean green” country.

    http://www.educate-yourself.org/cancer/benefitsofhydrogenperozide17jul03.shtml
    • Stunned Mullet 10.1

      13 April 2018 at 8:56 am

      😆 that’s some fine drivel cleangreen, next it’ll be no flouridation for water supplies and and an anti-immunisation diatribe.
    • Planet Earth 10.2

      13 April 2018 at 9:29 am

      I hear they bring the chlorine into Gisborne on great big trucks too.
    • AsleepWhileWalking 10.3

      13 April 2018 at 9:31 am

      Cool stuff the good old HOHO juice.
    • Draco T Bastard 10.4

      14 April 2018 at 1:04 am

      Can’t we use “food grade” ‘high purity’ Hydrogen Peroxide instead?

      I don’t know about you but I don’t want to die from drinking the water in the tap.

      But, hey, I’ve pointed that out to you before as well.

      And, no, I’m not going to go to your delusional websites – again.
11. adam 11

    13 April 2018 at 8:28 am

    We really have been quite slack on the renewable energy front. Portgale on the other hand.

    https://windeurope.org/newsroom/news/renewables-fully-meet-portugals-power-needs-in-march/
12. Pat 12

    13 April 2018 at 8:53 am

    Say what you like about Shane Jones but this is the most coherent and rational I have heard him…maybe there is some intellect behind the flowery language.

    https://www.radionz.co.nz/audio/player?audio_id=2018640452
    • veutoviper 12.1

      13 April 2018 at 9:46 am

      Psssst – did you really mean to put up 18 or so minutes of Brownlee trying to explain EQC repairs? LOL.

      Or perhaps you meant this one of Shane on Morning Report? I agree he was in good form in this interview.

      http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/2018640454/jones-labels-bridges-chicken-licken-of-climate-change

      He also did well in Parliament yesterday in reply to Goldsmith in Question 7 and later in the Urgent Debate on the government announcements re gas and oil :

      Q7 – https://www.parliament.nz/en/watch-parliament/ondemand?itemId=199916

      Urgent Debate:
      https://www.parliament.nz/en/watch-parliament/ondemand?itemId=199923

      Oops – Snap I now see Kat has put up the right RNZ link, but will leave this for the other links for anyone interested.
      • veutoviper 12.1.1

        13 April 2018 at 9:47 am

        On a lighter note, Jones’ facial expression during the press conference with Ardern and Shaw have certainly hit the news. Se Q7 above at about 4.30mins. Also the many faces of Shane Jones seem to be the subject du jour today:

        http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2018/04/the-resting-faces-of-minister-shane-jones.html

        https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/103068858/photo-says-it-all-how-shane-jones-reacted-to-governments-oil-news

        Even Jacinda Ardern has got in on the act with this little video with Jones and Shaw on Jones’ faces on her Facebook page:
        https://www.facebook.com/jacindaardern/videos/10155186971777441/
        • Carolyn_Nth 12.1.1.1

          13 April 2018 at 9:52 am

          😊

          Now someone should do a similar version of Paula Bennett’s faces , when she’s sitting beside NoBridges when he asks questions in Question Time.
          • Ffloyd 12.1.1.1.1

            13 April 2018 at 11:10 am

            Had been thinking the same thing Carolyn nth. She’s so entertaining to watch. I used to get a lot of laughs with Upston as well when she was chief nodder behind key.
          • veutoviper 12.1.1.1.2

            13 April 2018 at 12:10 pm

            LOL. Indeed!

            Did you see Paula Bennet yesterday in Question Time? She had a question to the PM who of course was not there being Thursday, not was Peters who usually answers on the PM’s behalf on Thurs. Bennett got Davis who did better than he has in the past, and Bennett just fumed. She – and Collins – then incurred the wrath of the Speaker (starting at 2 mins in the video).

            Here it is (only 4.35 mins)
            https://www.parliament.nz/en/watch-parliament/ondemand?itemId=199913

            I agree with Ffloyd that Upston was also amusing when she was sittiing behind Key as a Whip. These days she is an angry fumer, who loves making Points of Order which usually fall flat with the Speaker.
            • OnceWasTIm 12.1.1.1.2.1

              13 April 2018 at 8:31 pm

              we should really keep a record of the ‘nodders’ during QT.
              It’s a bloody shame we don’t have anything like political satire in the MSM these days (no matter how pathetic we may once have thought it to be)
      • Pat 12.1.2

        13 April 2018 at 10:03 am

        lol…think i know whats happened…my link went to a page that automatically plays the last thing you listened to on RNZ….it works for me but obviously not others
        thanks for the heads up.
13. Kat 13

    13 April 2018 at 9:27 am

    Shane Jones….. https://www.radionz.co.nz/audio/player?audio_id=2018640454

    “Simon Bridges is the “Chicken Licken of climate change”………..”National believe the economy is a gramophone”
    • tracey 13.1

      13 April 2018 at 9:29 am

      Funny that Bridges says National cares about tge environment but every time they have a chance to prove it, they fail.
      • satty 13.1.1

        13 April 2018 at 10:10 am

        It’s the National Polluter Party!
    • Tony Veitch (not etc) 13.2

      13 April 2018 at 4:13 pm

      More on Siomon on the 3pm news – I’ve got to say I’m coming reluctantly to admire the guy!

      He virtually said, forget whose fault it was that Middlemore’s in a mess, why doesn’t the Labour Government stop moaning and get it fixed! (And is wasn’t our fault anyway!)

      I mean, he takes denial to a whole new level! What a l**** politician!
      • OnceWasTImothy and others 13.2.1

        13 April 2018 at 8:07 pm

        Just as an aside @Tony V,
        I recently had someone chastise me for moi pathetic attempts at ridiculing him over his prinunseeayeshun. Genuinely though, sometoims I really can’t understand him without a translation, but then Fill Stein was sumtoims a chellunj too.

        Their justification was that he’d apparently had a speech impediment that he’d overcome.

        I called bullshit because the impediment had nothing to do with what is effectively just laziness (apologies to Toika Woititti ).

        Loik Key though.. Lazy speech, lazy moind. Oidilogikill commitmunt is lot simpla en ya done hefta rilly think to much, speshly when ya learn the spin an torkin points.

        You can account for different eggsents built up from location over toim – there’s even some ekademuk thet toll us orl we’d better get use twit goan forward – can’t remember where, but Soimun is jiss over the top. Oi suspek it wuz on radio layba maybe, or maybe red radio.

        Sometoims I wunna what Phil Stein and Soimun’s IELTS points would be (goan forwid) … but of course they’re for the ‘others’
14. Anne 14

    13 April 2018 at 9:55 am

    Audrey Young’s latest in the Herald is a reasoned piece about Labour’s recent woes. She’s right in my view. The government has left itself open to attacks from the opposition. As she says they’re not on the ropes yet… but imo they will be of they don’t tighten up the ship. Worth a read:

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=12023322
    • Anne 14.1

      13 April 2018 at 10:30 am

      Oops… I see the item is about 12 days old. Sorry about that, but still a good read if you missed it. 😳
    • veutoviper 14.2

      13 April 2018 at 11:22 am

      As you say a bit old but still worth a read.

      Here is Young’s latest from yesterday on the oil and gas announcements – surprisingly ‘neutral ‘ for her imo.

      http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12030723

      But did she really have to report on this? Bridges in a speech to his old college, partly about a murderer he put behind bars as a Crown Prosecutor.

      I could only cope with skipping through the video. Talk about stilted.

      http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12031041
15. The Chairman 15

    13 April 2018 at 9:57 am

    The Government’s $1 billion a year regional fund was launched in February. About $40m had been allocated thus far.

    What’s totally disappointing is there are no strings attached (such as employees receiving a living wage) with the taxpayer money being splashed about.

    Shouldn’t we on the left be calling out for this?
    • savenz 15.1

      13 April 2018 at 10:33 am

      Yes we should Chairman. But will anyone in Labour, NZ First or Greens notice? Too busy hobnobbing and showering mates with money? Of course we expect that from Natz, but maybe left voters expect more accountability?
      • The Chairman 15.1.1

        13 April 2018 at 10:54 am

        “Yes we should Chairman. But will anyone in Labour, NZ First or Greens notice? Too busy hobnobbing and showering mates with money?”

        Dead right, savenz. Their silence on the matter pretty much sums it up.

        “Of course we expect that from Natz, but maybe left voters expect more accountability?”

        Indeed. If this was National splashing taxpayer money about with no strings, I’m sure the left would be far more vocal. It seems many here are happy to turn the blind eye when Labour do it.

        Labour are wasting an opportunity to improve the living standards of many by failing to ensure a living wage is paid. As a result, robbing workers of their fair share, hence reinforcing the status quo.
16. savenz 16

    13 April 2018 at 10:30 am

    You got a Marae and you want fresh air too!

    Marae threatened by proposed chicken farm – locals
    http://www.maoritelevision.com/news/regional/marae-threatened-proposed-chicken-farm-locals

    Next this Hong Kong based firm, will be explaining how they are really there to help the poor get cheap eggs, make a selected few in NZ richer, and the shitty town, good for nothing Maori, farmers and stupid chooks are not worth worrying about, and just collateral damage for their egalitarian ways and cheap exports.
    • AsleepWhileWalking 16.1

      13 April 2018 at 10:49 am

      Grrr “state of the art facilities” aren’t if they aren’t free range.
      • mauī 16.1.1

        13 April 2018 at 9:15 pm

        Watch the clip from the Hui. The farm is 1.3 million chickens housed in 32 sheds (40,000 chickens in a shed). The sheds have a small opening (to let air in or let the chickens have a run outside?). The farm is considered free-range because of the small openings. But the impression is that most of their lives are spent in a shed crammed in with 40,000 other chickens. Their lifespan is a total of 6 weeks. Free-range chicken farming, wow.

        http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/shows/2018/04/huge-chicken-farm-has-iwi-vege-growers-worried.html
        • Ed 16.1.1.1

          13 April 2018 at 9:22 pm

          Free range.
          A con for the sheeple to believe.
          • James 16.1.1.1.1

            13 April 2018 at 10:41 pm

            Some are better than others.

            I always buy https://bostocksorganic.co.nz
17. The Chairman 17

    13 April 2018 at 10:40 am

    Good on ya, John.
    https://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/western-leader/102983793/waipareira-trust-staff-paid-a-minimum-of-20-an-hour
18. ianmac 18

    13 April 2018 at 10:57 am

    Editorial Herald. Who would have thought that the writer would put a reasoned view regarding the “oil exploration.” A good summary.

    Someone needed to rip the scab off because this day was always coming for the fossil fuel industry.

    The question was would it be swallowed up by clean energy? Would it run out? Would it burn with the planet?

    Or would it be a conscious decision?

    The Government wants to make it the latter with its ban on offshore oil and gas exploration….
    Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will be heaped with plaudits and criticism in equal measure.

    But the charge of economic vandalism levelled at this decision is either scaremongering or a genuine reaction to the unknown.

    Major industries have fallen in quicker time and the economy has carried on its merry way.

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12031325
19. Kay 19

    13 April 2018 at 11:07 am

    Now this is interesting. I just had a phone call from Colmar Brunton, specifically asking for me. They’re doing a random survey of WINZ clients on behalf of MSD to get our feedback of our experiences dealing with said agency. Being highly suspicious and not quite believing it would be totally anonymous as she assured me, I was the one doing the interviewing initially but it seems to be legit.

    Unfortunatlely I was screened out- going on the initial questioning it was obviously because I hadn’t had phone or face to face contact with real people there in the last 4 weeks. Bugger- the one time I get a chance to tell them what I think!!

    Are any of my peers here aware of these surveys ever taking place in the past, or perhaps this is something new? A small glimmer of hope would be someone with influence is at least making a start on getting an idea of reality. One can only hope…
    • AsleepWhileWalking 19.1

      13 April 2018 at 12:48 pm

      They have been going for a couple years I think. Of course like many things it trains clients to be great scam victims.

      You should always be able to ring back through a known number to ensure it is legit and one should be set aside for this purpose.

      The best people to scam are people who are poor because they tend not to be on top of, heir statements and slow to pick up fraud.
      • Kay 19.1.1

        13 April 2018 at 1:12 pm

        @AWW it wasn’t a scam call. I’ve had plenty of those plus I did a good job of screening this particular caller.

        edit: when it doubt, google. Response to an OIA request from 2 years ago:
        https://fyi.org.nz/request/4944/response/16373/attach/html/2/20161220%20OIA%20Response%20COLE.PDF.pdf.html

        so very legit. Still annoyed I didn’t get to vent my spleen just a bit!
    • Cinny 19.2

      13 April 2018 at 1:31 pm

      Hiya Kay, the same thing happened to a friend a few weeks back, unfortunately, they had not been to WINZ in the last 4-6 weeks so they were ruled out as well.
20. JohnSelway 20

    13 April 2018 at 12:33 pm

    I’m beginning think instead of just having a hamster in a wheel for a brain this guy has two hamster and two wheels going in opposite directions.

    https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-asks-advisers-to-study-rejoining-pacific-trade-pact-talks-1523553620?mod=e2fb
21. AsleepWhileWalking 21

    13 April 2018 at 12:45 pm

    Finally my new oven is delivered!

    Exciting times. While waiting this AM I came across Jump, an electric bike thing used in San Fan. Like Uber but you take yourself.

    Users are taking 5-7 rides a day!! So popular.
22. Morrissey 22

    13 April 2018 at 5:14 pm

    That pisspoor cartoonist Emmerson is substandard, even by the
    abysmally low standards accepted by the New Zealand Herald.

    https://twitter.com/rodemmerson/status/981399111231565829
    • Stunned mullet 22.1

      13 April 2018 at 5:26 pm

      Ha ha ….one of Emerson’s best.
    • Chuck 22.2

      13 April 2018 at 8:11 pm

      🙂
    • Baba Yaga 22.3

      13 April 2018 at 11:42 pm

      Some of the whining lefties comments are as funny as the cartoon.
23. OnceWasTIm 23

    13 April 2018 at 8:47 pm

    interesting,
    as in the programatic criteria used to determine legitimacy in submitting comments.

    Not too dissimilar from the ‘smarts’ used to determine demography by the likes of INZ, or Facebooks algorithms.

    I suppose we just have to put our faith in some of the greatest programmers on Earth.

    By the way, I’ve NEVER been ‘Tim’ or anything like it.

    I’m looking forward to any/if any comments asking WTF I’m on about
24. eco maori 24

    14 April 2018 at 10:15 am

    I went home to Te tairawhiti East Coast I went through Turangi Gisborne and went back to Putaruru around the Cape so I travelled right around Te tairawhiti. What I notice was that a lot of trees are gone in the Gisborne district and the landscape was dry and in Te tairawhiti heaps of trees native and exotic planted forests the landscape was green and lush. I’m watching David Attenborough Natures Curiosities this program shows we have learnt a lot off mother nature and I say we have much more to learn from her and her beautiful creatures.
    My point on Gisborne is you cannot cut all the trees down without a negative effect on the environment this is a fact that is right in front of our eyes on one 13 hours driveing around the East Coast. Of Atoearoa New Zealand. If the trees are left intact on the steep hills around the rivers and creeks all the waterways They attrack the Rain the hold the Wai in the ground they stop tawhiti the wind drying the land out. I say if the trees are left in all the right places all the flat to rolling land would be much more productive and will easily make up for the land left to mother nature and more + more deer wild pigs ect. Man has to respect mother nature and use her wisely if we carry on abuseing her we will be the ones that ultimately will lose with OUR society collapseing because we abuse mother nature all for the Dollar and to have utopia we just have to respect her all all the creations she has given us including all HUMAN BEINGS show respect for all and reap the GOOD KARMA.
    Ka kite ano
    • eco maori 24.1

      14 April 2018 at 11:30 am

      I use to fly out of Hawkesbay quite a bit 25 years ago I noticed that the landscape was baron of trees and dry I would bet even though I don’t gamble that before the beautiful trees were cleared that the rainfall was higher than Hawkesbay has now if we work with Papatuanukue mother earth we will reap the rewards we have to stop poisoning the land with sprays we pour nitrogen on the land and this just causes the humus to break down faster you don’t get nothing from nothing this is basic science the way we are farming we are exporting our humus. We need to work with Papatuanukue mother nature and use no to low till cropping and use organic farming to produce our export products.
      The pro intensive farm advisors say that Organic farming is less productive that high input chemical / poisonous farming. The reason that our land takes a few years of Organic farming to become as productive as chemical farming is the land is hooked on chemicals and the chemicals have damaged all the natural orginmisams that provide the nitrates that OUR crops need to grow.
      If I was to grow Organically on soils that have no man made chemicals in it the land would produce more that chemical farming I have heard the storys when they first cleared the land here of how fast the crops grew how fast the grass grew but you have to feed the land organic fertilisers worm casting compost crushed rock lime or your harvest will decrease leave some land in fallow as well.
      The pro Organic farming organisation don’t have the money to spend on getting there facts out there like the Chemical backed farming people have. Ka kite ano
      • eco maori 24.1.1

        14 April 2018 at 12:56 pm

        Here we go a article that tells us exactly why Aotearoa New Zealand is Racist Iv had it from both ends being called white and moving to Hawkesbay and hearing the racist story that have not been research about Maori and the land and being called a black Maori. Now w I have the system Breaking all the rules just to try and suppress me because some people underestimated Me. I see all there players they paid to use against me. They don’t underestimate ECO MAORI now I learn fast???? . All I want is to be paid compensation for this fasard of a suppression campaign against me and be left alone to raise my Whano. I know my destiny and that is to lead us into a bright and prosperous future for all OUR Mokopunas and all Papatuanukue creatures into a bright and prosperous future.
        Here’s the link Ka kite ano.
        http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12031105
        • eco maori 24.1.1.1

          14 April 2018 at 1:49 pm

          This is the actions of a desperate man willing to sacrifice the Whole World to give him more power to put out the fires he has started on all of his fronts he started trying to go to War against Korea everywhere he turned he was trying to start a War. Everyone knows that the American President gets more power when they are at War. The American people are letting him damage there reputation there future there Mokopunas future just so he can do as he wants which is become a 300 billionaire who is untouchable someone has to have the Mana to stand up to this BULLYING idiot as all bullies underneath are shit scared when the shit hits the fan they are the first to run and hide look in the books you will see what Im saying is true.

          https://i.stuff.co.nz/world/americas/103108258/us-president-donald-trump-orders-syria-strike
25. eco maori 25

    14 April 2018 at 2:03 pm

    Here is one of his fires here.

    https://i.stuff.co.nz/world/americas/103105697/trumps-allies-worry-investigators-may-have-seized-recordings-made-by-his-lawyer
26. eco maori 26

    14 April 2018 at 6:28 pm

    Newshub the sandflys must not have liked my comments on trump they stuff my phone up for a bit got it sussed now. Good on the Kiwi Restauranter for telling it like it is on trump and supporting his workers. Looks like OUR Lady’s are doing excellent at the commonwealth games Mana Wahine. Looks like Auckland is get more bad weather Climate change is real. Ka kite ano

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