Open Mike 14/12/2018

Written By: - Date published: 5:49 am, December 14th, 2018 - 142 comments
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142 comments on “Open Mike 14/12/2018 ”

  1. Oh dear… red haired giants and Lovelock cave… them dang redheads….

    Well hec,… Sasquatch ( Can , USA ) , Mahoe man ( NZ ) , Yowies ( Aus ) , Yetis (Himilaya’s ) and Yeren ( China ) … Mound Builders that the Smithonian’s do away with the bones cos it threatens Darwin …

    Lets take a look at what our ancestors ( Homo sapiens ) had to deal with , shall we ?…

    And reflect on what influence they may have had … in our modern world … and why we have so many problems with psychopathic rulers today…

    M.K.Davis discusses the giant hand print on a cave wall. – YouTube

    • Traditional Lakota/Dakota Sundance Songs 3/6 – YouTube

    • Robert Guyton 1.2

      Wild Katipo – take a gander at this !!!
      https://twitter.com/ZonePhysics
      (scroll down to the image with this accompanying text:
      “What you see is a myosin protein dragging an endorphin along a filament to the inner part of the brain’s parietal cortex which creates happiness. Happiness. You’re looking at happiness”

      • WILD KATIPO 1.2.1

        I prefer people who have actually been there…

        Tim Coonbo Baker
        Former NASA scientist Tim Coonbo Baker speaks about Bigfoot …

        • WILD KATIPO 1.2.1.1

          Just a little bit more for the case of an ancient remnant…. who may or may not have … ramifications for modern man…and his seemingly inability to plan rationally or do so with socially amiable outcomes…

          A closer look at – Guy Chases Bigfoot In The Woods – YouTube

          • WILD KATIPO 1.2.1.1.1

            And why ?…

            I’ll let you be the judge….

            Neanderthal: Profile of a super predator – YouTube

            There well may be a reason for all this psychopathic behavior due to rape and oppression. Who can say ? DNA ?

            But it just might be well worth some kind of unbiased scientific reports… do we even have that these days?

            Back to the days of Nimrod….

            • WILD KATIPO 1.2.1.1.1.1

              Darwinian science and evolution…. yeah right….”

              The Smithsonian: We Destroyed the Skeletons of Giant … – YouTube

              • greywarshark

                That’s wild Wild Katipo. Makes a change from studying the anthropomorphic tracings that can be viewed around NZ Parliament Buildings.

  2. Cinny 2

    Massive praise to Bernie Sanders and others for standing up and calling out the War in Yemen during a senate debate on the subject.

    Thank you for speaking up, may it be the catalyst for change, fingers crossed re the vote over there.

    https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/12/senate-rebukes-saudi-arabia-yemen-war-khashoggi-murder-181213004802358.html

  3. gsays 3

    I have listened to Stuff’s podcast ‘The District’. The District refers to the local area.

    It looks at the death of a digger operator, who was retrieving a stuck tractor, with the aid of a bulldozer.
    The official line is the victim was run over, other sources say he was crushed.
    Anyhow, a tenacious sister has been investigating.
    Things aren’t adding up, and in her enquiries she meets Des Thomas.
    Des is youngest brother of Arthur Thomas, wrongly convicted twice of the homicide of Jeanette and Harvey Crewe.

    Amongst other things revealed is a 22 calibre rifle, pushed barrel down into the mud in a dam. This gets handed to police, who cut the barrel into three pieces, making testing impossible. This rifle is found a few kilometres from where the murders took place.

    The 2014 ‘review’ police held into the homicides, did not mention the rifle discovery, and seemed to just pile up more stuff casting doubt on Thomas’s innocence.

    This affair, for me, was when the police lost their innocence and a lot of mana.

    It occurs to me The District may also refer to how police are organised and have a more sinister implication.

    Congratulations to Paula Penfold, Eugene Bingham and others for this piece of investigative journalism.

  4. Robert Guyton 4

    “The unprepared” – a very interesting read from Brian Easton
    https://www.pundit.co.nz/content/the-unprepared

    “Another instructive example is housing policy. The new government’s view was that New Zealand’s housing crisis (identified by John Key in 2007) required state-sponsored building of more houses. It is not an easy strategy to get under way, especially as the preceding government‘s approach was much more laissez faire. (In contrast, the First Labour Government’s housing program was grounded in work carried out by the preceding Minister of Finance, Gordon Coates.) Instructively, the Minister of Housing, Phil Twyford, has had to create a new government agency to implement his ambition.

    Public understanding of the program has not been helped by the commentariat. Undoubtedly some of the uninformed critics are ideologically opposed to state intervention (and are as enamoured with Judith Collins, National’s spokesperson on housing, as some Labour supporters are with Jacinda Ardern) but most, I think, have been as unprepared for the change in policy direction as the public service, and default to the position they learned under National. They are not National aligned, but creatures of limited habit, repeating what they learned under Key.

    The Minister of Health, David Clark, has faced a different problem. Whatever his analysis or ambitions, he has been overwhelmed by problems left from his National predecessor. (It is called ‘alligator country’; dealing with them means forgetting that the point is to drain the swamp.)”

    • Draco T Bastard 4.1

      That’s a good read and clearly shows the problem that is managerialism:

      Following Enteman’s 1993 classic on Managerialism: The Emergence of a New Ideology,[5] American management experts Robert Locke and J C Spender see managerialism as an expression of a special group – management – that entrenches itself ruthlessly and systemically in an organization.[6] It deprives owners of decision-making power and workers of their ability to resist managerialism. In fact the rise of managerialism may in itself be a response to people’s resistance in society and more specifically to workers’ opposition against managerial regimes.

      The rise of managerialism seems to have come along, hand in hand, with neo-liberalism.

  5. miravox 5

    Re Budget well-being measures introduced by Grant Robertson. Amy Adams said on TV Breakfast this morning …

    “The country, the Government, has always measured these things and has always cared about how New Zealanders are doing. That’s the ultimate measure for any government.”…

    Ahem:

    • OnceWasTim 5.1

      Ew! Did you have to do that?

      The ‘re-imaging’ that’s occurred though since that Bennett extravaganza, and today is quite startling (and I don’t necessarily mean aesthetically).

      I wonder if Paula Bennett stands by all her statements in whatever context they were given

      • miravox 5.1.1

        Sorry, OWT… This just sprung to mind as soon as I heard Adams

        It seems both can tell lies so easily.

  6. mac1 6

    The National Cricket Club.

    Puckish Rogue has introduced the analogy of cricket and politics. I offer this mid-season review of the NCC.

    Simon Bridges is a medium pacer whose stock ball is two feet outside leg stump. Yet to take a wicket, though he opens the bowling when on the field. As captain does not know when to remove himself from the attack. Has an awkward delivery style and often challenged by the umpire for appealing when the delivery is half way down the pitch.

    Paula Bennett has been known to run herself out, deflecting the ball onto the stumps. Opens the bowling in Bridges’s absence. She likes to pack the catching cordon in hopes of a mis-hit but, like her understanding, most of her deliveries are returned straight back over her head.

    Nick Smith has a full of effort and red-faced approach to the wicket but his deliveries are too short of any length. He has an earnest yet temperamental style and indeed is easily wound up into too many loose deliveries.

    Michael Woodhouse is an earnest off-spinner with a dangerous straight ball that looks like it will drift away but demands bat and pad played close together.

    Gerry Browning appeals often for LBW from his unsighted position at square leg but the umpire has learnt to wave away his vociferous appeals.

    Mark Mitchell runs in a bristling fashion, and is all aggression, with many deliveries spearing in at the throat. Seen as a possible captain, but too many wide deliveries from this right-armer cause him to be of little threat but to his own team fielding in close catching positions.

    Judith Collins has fulfilled the 12th man role on occasion and is seen as captain of the ‘B’ team. Her glare at a turned down appeal makes a 22 yard pitch seem far too short for safety. Her strike ball is a yorker designed to dent toes and reputations.

    Jonathon Coleman is retiring soon. His steady nit-picking length and parsimonious style made him hard to score off. His legacy as the team medic meant that a new first aid room had to be built by his successors.

    Fielding in the deep, Amy Adams, dislikes cyclists on the boundary near her eight favourite fielding positions. Her NOMBY stance (Not On My Boundary) has the lycra-clad in an uproar.

    The former captain, Bill English, was gifted the leadership at a time when the former captain , John Key, was facing prospective defeat and charges of ball tampering.

    Club treasurer, Stephen Joyce, thought he had detected a hole in the opposition’s score card with an extra 11 runs short but when even the friendly media saw the error in his accounting, his attempt failed.

    The search for a wicket-keeper is still being conducted, as no-one with a safe pair of hands can be found.

    Allegations of bullying in the dressing room, tantrums, hair-pulling, match-fixing, dodgy donations to the beer fund, and unflattering references to the ethnic origins of fellow team members plague the team.

    Best estimates are that the NCC (National Cricket Club) will return to near winning form in about another decade.

    • veutoviper 6.1

      Wonderful!!!!!!!!

      Even though I HATE cricket – and would rather watch paint dry.

      Thanks. ROFL.

      • One Twi 6.1.1

        Such an ugly word, the ‘H’ Word…

        In my opinion..the ugliest word of all…

      • Puckish Rogue 6.1.2

        Watch this then, it’ll change your mind

        • Andre 6.1.2.1

          I got too bored to continue watching at 1:28.

          There’s fascinating colour and texture changes happening on a piece of wood I just polyurethaned that are much more interesting.

          • veutoviper 6.1.2.1.1

            It’s that moment that it starts to coagulate …..

            Blink – and the moment is gone forever.

            • Puckish Rogue 6.1.2.1.1.1

              By crikey when I get crowned Emperor of the Earth (by our alien overlords) there’ll be some changes round I can tell you

              However if you start your penance I might, I stress might, be merciful…your penance starts right here:

          • greywarshark 6.1.2.1.2

            Is it on a cricket bat?

            • Andre 6.1.2.1.2.1

              No. Do they get finished with polyurethane? Watching Pucky’s video I got the impression they’d be polished by getting rubbed in a player’s crotch like the balls, or something else equally bizarre.

    • fender 6.2

      LOL excellent!!!

      Love it!!!

      I suggest every member of this hapless team play in the position of left right out.

    • Ad 6.3

      Good work there

    • Puckish Rogue 6.4

      🙂

      (Also go the Black Caps!)

    • AB 6.5

      Thanks Mac1. Just to add:
      Current head coach, Lynton Crosby, has managed successful teams in Australia and England often using identical methods and messaging (“brighter future”). However while his methods have produced spectacular short-term successes, the long-term results are starting to look disappointing. Many attribute this to the complete moral vacuum that is the centrepiece of his approach. The aggressive self-interested accumulation of runs (and cash) has been very effective when focused outward on the opposition and society at large, but has shown a tendency to turn inwards and foment disloyalty.

      • mac1 6.5.1

        Thanks, AB. I said they’ll get near winning form in a decade but now it’s “whining form” as blame and whingeing replace the formerly moderate and relatively decent values of the old National Party, the one that Winston Peters knew.

        As Australian cricket has shown, if you lose your best three batsmen the brittleness shows.

        Politics and cricket are about many of the same things. Attack and defence. Team spirit. Team cooperation. Batting for the team. Long practice and preparation. Team selection. Captaincy. Coaching. Competitive but fair-minded play. Respect for the opposition. Fickle fans. Media interest. Magic moments. Short sound bites. Weather. Hours of play. Touring. PR. The public. Balanced teams. Good support staff. Even playing fields. Prepared pitches.

        The downsides are the same. Match fixing, cronyism, favouritism, factionalism, imbalance, poor administration, egotism, social climbing, inequality of opportunity and resources, sledging, disrespect in all its forms of racism, mysogyny, class, education, ethnicity.

        Cricket is great preparation for life. A sport where both individual and team performances matter, where dedication and skill matter, where disappointment and unfairness in luck and in decisions, perceived or real, have to be dealt with.

        • Puckish Rogue 6.5.1.1

          Yup, all to this (well most of it 😉 )

          Why cricket is a metaphor for life, politics…anything

          https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10854330

          My personal favorite because it demonstrates putting aside ones own ego to get the best out of people, how to manage egos effectively and how to work together to achieve your goals (when you probably want to throttle each other)

          Richard Hadlee v Jeremy Coney II – Shuttle diplomacy, 1986-87

          John Wright said he felt like renowned American diplomat Henry Kissinger delivering requests and instructions from Coney at slip to Hadlee the bowler during the third test against the West Indies in Christchurch. The pair had a falling out after a Hadlee Truth newspaper column criticised the New Zealand team’s alleged sloppy practice habits and tardy attitude. Coney believed such remarks should have stayed within the team.

          As veteran journalist Don Cameron recalled on cricinfo.com: “Hadlee was not impressed with his short opening spell, so took himself off, and Wright had to pass the information to Coney. But the team recovered from the drama. Hadlee returned to take six for 50 – three of them from Coney slip catches – and the New Zealanders’ mood improved, if not completely, by the fact they won the test by five wickets.” Wright concluded the pair must have resolved their differences because he couldn’t remember telling Hadlee “the captain says ‘well bowled”‘.

        • Puckish Rogue 6.5.1.2

          Agreed 🙂

          https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10854330

          Even when players don’t want to talk to each other (Hadlee and Coney) you can still get the result you want if you know how to manage properly

          Could be something in that for political parties

    • ianmac 6.6

      Yes Mac 1. Bluddy clever and funny. And probably true.

    • OnceWasTim 6.7

      Woodhouse is also gaining a reputation for ‘sledging’, albeit in sophisticated style but with fuck all substance, in the hope pomposity and various angles of attack will eventually see a wicket fall.
      And Chris is happier to just watch from the sidelines and offer moral support for the tactics employed like a dutiful little school boy, while Gerry is still slicing the oranges and contemplating the wicket (if he can find it) also from the sidelines.
      Gerry and Chris are also busy discussing the technicalities – with Chris as the expert, and Gerry mulling over the best means of delivery.

      Soimon is wondering whether it’s all worth it and whether or not a bit of fixing might not be in order. He’s got JK on speed dial.

    • gsays 6.8

      Excellent mac1, out of the park.

      • mac1 6.8.1

        Thanks, gsays. What of interest also are those inside the park.

        Village cricket eccentrics found here on the Standard.

        The little mascot brought by the blonde lady with the big glasses that bounds yapping onto the field wanting to chase the ball but runs back to its mistress to be fed little tit bits and bark at passers-by?

        The adolescent in mid-puberty on the bank who knows nothing about cricket but annoys the adults around him asking questions all the time which he thinks will show how knowledgeable he is, always commenting but never able to discuss?

        The boy with the score book annotating every run and keeping statistics?

        The grumpy Yorkshireman who asserts that the only true cricket is played in LeEDs?

        The groundsman who likes to bring out the heavy roller when faced with spectators who don’t keep the ground rules and who deals with pitch invaders the same way.

        The green-keeper whose uses horse manure and a scythe to maintain lawn order and never is asked what’s growing in the green house…..

        Any takers?

    • patricia bremner 6.9

      Mac 1 This is classic.
      Here’s to the Coalition Cricket Club winning the next 3 tests.
      My cricket loving husband laughed out loud. Hearing me chuckling away, he wanted in on the joke. An enjoyable read, and yes a reflection of life.
      N says “The National Cricket team doesn’t do well on a sticky wicket”.

  7. Anne 7

    Good news:

    Wallace Chapman will be taking over “The Panel” from Jan.14 next year. I expect there will be some refreshing newcomers in the line up of guests. Might start listening again.

    Guyon is leaving Morning Report to do more long-term field work. I think that has been a big part of his problem. He doesn’t like being cooped up in a studio and takes it out on his guests – especially those on the left.

    https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/378252/guyon-espiner-moves-from-morning-report-in-rnz-changes

    • veutoviper 7.1

      I am happy with those two changes – but Mora on Sunday Mornings??????

      NONONONONONONO

      • Puckish Rogue 7.1.1

        Reminds me of something

      • greywarshark 7.1.2

        Mora I want no more of. Sunday morning reflected Wallace Chapman’s thoughtful, ethical and religious background. Mora is just the thinking man’s Mike Hosking. So no more of him, I don’t want Sunday morning dumbed down by Mora’s interests and tendencies.

        It is interesting how people in Radionz have their favourites –
        Mora and Noelle McCarthy for instance. Jim has an aura of sanctity about him after he became front man for a garden and hardware franchise which funded the projects undertaken in doing up worthy peoples’ gardens. McCarthy has tried to widen her approach but would be best for what to do in the holidays, and why working women are so stressed, and do teeth whiteners harm your teeth and leave you toothless in old age, and of course a biggie subject, how old can you live with new scientific findings and drugs being developed.

        Are there other people who have done nationally recognised things regarded positively, and who broadcasts well that people could think of as alternative to Mora? People with huge interests, who can be incisive, light-hearted, querulous at times, interesting always, chat with others and bring out their interesting thoughts and reactions. And don’t mention Kim Hill, I am looking for someone of the same calibre who would be 40-50. I don’t know if Bryan Crump would like a change but he is so good on nights and I think very popular there. What about one of the two who take over Radionz on holiday afternoons and are a bit crazy, they are wide-ranging and presumably have strong interests about people being wonderful and creative around the world.

        • Sacha 7.1.2.1

          “What about one of the two who take over Radionz on holiday afternoons”

          Just on grounds of musical taste, no.

      • Macro 7.1.3

        OMG! Mora on Sunday mornings

        aaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

    • Ad 7.2

      Very sorry to hear Guyon Espiner leaving the show.

      He has taken te reo seriously and it’s been awesome.

      Personally I think RNZ morning report has been far too soft on this government, except for the sustained reporting on NZTA’s failing regulatory arm, which in no small part brought down the Chief Executive.

      RNZ reporting also led directly to the Ministry of Transport investigation directed by the Minister that will blow NZTA out of the water when it reports back to Parliament in late March 2019. No one else really gave a damn about it, but Morning Report was consistently at it over months.

    • OnceWasTim 7.3

      The very bad news is that Mora will be doing Sunday morning – but there’s a silver lining: The sleep-in and the Sunday Market at Te Papa.
      I might even go have a healthy breakfast at a Subway somewhere.
      Actually there’s even MORE good news. My idol (Kim) has come out unscathed and it appears she’ll continue on a Saturday – and maybe (fingers crossed) as the Clingon’s replacement on Morning Report until a replacement is found.
      Hopefully the replacement is an escaped Okker called Alex

      • Blazer 7.3.1

        ‘I might even go have a healthy breakfast at a Subway somewhere.’

        Recent Reddit expose about Subway ,suggests you ..might not.

      • OnceWasTim 7.3.2

        Snap @ VV above!.

        By the way @ VV. I thought of you and @ Anne as I was perusing this virtual ‘space’ going forward.

        There’s a thing on PUNDIT by Brian Easton, and it sums things up nicely re our Public Service and the state it’s in but it’s a good analysis.

        I think there are one or two things that he’s being a fucking sight more charitable than I would have been – to do with culture and the effects of the career-minded generic manager.
        The longer term effects of that don’t seem to have been answered adequately in my opinion.
        Have a read when you get time and let us all know what you think.

        And when you do, think of the record of the past 10 or so years – especially in relation to Ministries, departments and agencies like NZTA, WINZ, Housing COrp, Health, ALL that comprises the Ministry for EVERTHING (from radio frequencies and interferance, to ripped off employees to immigrants to shitty steel FFS, and a lot more).
        I read a couple of PEBs! They just fucking STUNNED me.

        Let me know what you think

        • veutoviper 7.3.2.1

          Will do, OWT. Won’t be today as I am a bit tired. Have done quite a bit of going down rabbit holes over the last week to do with a subject I have commented on here quite a bit. But have had to be selective in what I say. Still a bit more rabbit holing to do but need a break and to get some housework, shopping etc done pre-weekend.

        • Anne 7.3.2.2

          Hi OWT.
          Read the article. It’s spot on. One minor correction. Easton talks about “generic managers” as though it is a relatively recent phenomenon. It’s not. I worked for a smallish specialist department which came under the umbrella of ‘Transport’ in the 1980s. It was one of the first to be restructured under the direction of the then minister, Richard Prebble.

          Out the door went the dedicated management who had devoted their lives to the specialist skills required, and in came the careerist, generic managers who had little to no knowledge of the subject matter in hand.

          The first thing they did was embark on a cost cutting exercise which saw a large number of field stations close. This made it difficult for the specialists to do their job properly and the department came perilously close to falling apart. What saved it in the end was the incoming Bolger government who turfed out the ‘new management’ and replaced with people who had knowledge of the specialist skills involved. At the same time it became an SOE which, in this case, was the best thing to have happened.

          In Easton’s words:

          How to address the problem? Clearly there needs to be a discounting of the significance of generic managers in appointment assessments and a higher priority for those who are fit-for-purpose with the particular skills the department needs.

          And that sums up the fundamental problem of today’s Public Service.

          • OnceWasTim 7.3.2.2.1

            /agreed @Anne that there’s always been a problem.
            However 30 or so years of neo-liberalism, a culture that places bean-counting over public service and welfare has compounded the problems, and this is especially evident over the past 10 years or so.
            Coalition Ministers publicly appear to have “confidence in their officials”. When you read some of those “pathetic PEBs” (as Easton calls them), you have to wonder whether some Ministers are bloody masochists who might as well be saying “beat me, beat me!”

            One of the few things I had to agree with Mathew Hooton on was when I heard him say that the bureacrats had a vested interest in preserving the status quo (On Nine to Noon from memory) – and that status quo was at the upper echelon’s preoccupation of career advancement/salary increase/impressive CV that exists – and of course that culture affects/denigrates the subordinates who generally do most of the hard yards. Most of our Ministries/Departments/Agencies have become the CEO/Snr Managment’s little feifdom where they can take credit for any successes whilst blaming the peons for any failings.

            As we’ve seen, especially over the past decade, there is very little accountability. The recent NZTA debacle is about the only example I can think of where someone has fallen on their sword – it might not even be the right person who has done so.

            I actually pity the new CEO of MBIE a tiny, tiny bit- what a poison chalice to have inherited. But you could pick any number of these departments/agencies/ministries to do with health, social welfare, education, etc. etc. etc.

            Shouldn’t have got me started ;p.

            There is a glimmer of hope in Chippie’s proposal for reform and Jacinda’s wish for a ‘kinder’ approach, but I doubt reforms will go far enough. In some cases there needs to be a complete rout.

            • OnceWasTim 7.3.2.2.1.1

              Oh, and by the way – look how long the NZTA shit went on.
              But again on a brighter note – look what happens when we get things right – with an agency that isn’t all about bean counting, managerialism and the things Easton is critical of. The Pike River Mine re-entry people – if ever there was something that might succeed in its intent, this is it.

    • Gabby 7.4

      Well I hope RNZ shouts Wafflish some speech lessons. That gibbering whine of his gets tired real fast.

  8. mauī 8

    Some sanity on the coverage of US politics minus the propaganda.

  9. Puckish Rogue 9

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12176820

    Asked whether there was “anything more to come that might bite you in the bum,” Ardern said, “absolutely not”.

    We shall see 🙂

  10. SaveNZ 10

    Young marketing millionaires doing tech outsourced to India – what could go wrong? sarcasm.

    ‘Spiralled out of control very quickly’: Kiwi rich-lister behind Appster speaks out after collapse

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=12176329

    No wonder they went bust, their recruitment style sounds like the government recruiting Handley. Professional tech people won’t go for jobs and companies and their time wasted by a bunch of idiots who don’t understand tech and over compensate by ridiculous recruitment measures…

    “Appster’s gruelling 22-hour job interview, featuring eight stages, four interviews, up to 10 reference checks and even a body language assessment.’

    (wonder if it takes over 6 months like marketing, Handley’s non recruitment of a role he had never done before, but was deemed the best candidate as presumably being qualified does not count as much as a good video?)

    You also generally find that firms that have ridiculous recruitment methods and interviewers who are in marketing, also like to under pay. Only most desperate or with visa issues, left standing?

    “Bandara, who started his firm in 2010, blamed Appster’s demise on “unsustainable growth” and said the founders came from “marketing backgrounds”.

    “When you are a tech business just marketing is not enough, you have to have that management and technical background to be successful,” he said.”

    Doh!

    • greywarshark 10.1

      Marketing people learn from the first that what a successful salesperson aims to do and achieves is selling yourself and your ideas. You have to believe in your product completely.

      Not much ability to assess anything dispassionately there, even week-long interviews wouldn’t help them. The marketers and PRs are perfect people to introduce the robotised society to us, practically mindless. They ought to get a program to do the people checking for them, it would produce a short-list in a morning, with recommendations and the basis for these, indicating the strong and weak points of each candidate.

  11. Ad 11

    Nice long piece from The Age showing all the different Five Eyes intelligence security leaders working together against 5G risks. Usefully pulls quotes from a variety of security agency leaders into a cooperative narrative:

    https://www.theage.com.au/business/companies/how-the-five-eyes-cooked-up-the-campaign-to-kill-huawei-20181213-p50m24.html

    • Spikeyboy 11.1

      What a lovely bit of boys own or even Enid Blightons Famous Five. Such a fabulous lot those five eyes lads and lasses. Especially that lovely Gina Haspel. She has worked so tirelessly to make us all safe…

      The real story is that China has leapt ahead in this transformational technology and the west can only catch up by seriosly delaying their rollout. Capitalism always runs up against other expansionist states when all its internal contradictions become apparent. For one the free market level playing field is only for when you are winning.

      https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2018/12/14/huaw-d14.html

  12. The Chairman 12

    With the Government’s cap on spending coupled with their targeted debt to GDP ratio, it’s difficult to expect too much from their Well-being budget.

    While it will help reshuffle expenditure, it won’t lead to more net spending overall, which is largely required to get the country back on track. It’s just more tinkering around the edges.

    https://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/2018675561/grant-robertson-discusses-wellbeing-budget

  13. Andre 13

    With John Kelly exiting, Agent Drumpfski needs a new chief of staff. But the pool of people interested in getting a cheeto-tinged skidmark smeared down their CV has got very small. So apparently the Kush-kiddy wants a crack at it.

    Personally, I’m rooting for Chris Christie to get the job. Given he put the Kush-daddy in the slammer, it would add a fascinating new dynamic to the reality show.

  14. Lawyers are concerned that the alleged killer of Grace Millane will walk away on the grounds that he could not be given a fair trial.

    I get that people are angry and I get that they want justice for Grace. I do too, but I know that it does not happen at the expense of due process.

    https://willnewzealandberight.com/2018/12/14/the-need-to-respect-due-process-in-new-zealand-courts/

    • greywarshark 14.1

      Young people are into instant gratification and don’t want to go through due process and restrain themselves so they don’t care about the restrainsts of the law and why they aid good process.

      If Ms Millane had been careful and checked out this guy that she apparently met through an App, which would have required a wary and closer inspection and longer introduction amongst her peers, this might have been avoided. But Apps cater for instant gratification, everything must be fast and that service, accepted like an innocent child completely trustingly without sensible safety concerns, cocoons a person from the real world of bad events and sad disasters happening all the time.

      • Sacha 14.1.1

        “If Ms Millane had been careful”

        Really? Still pushing that line after all the recent discussion.

        • veutoviper 14.1.1.1

          And what was she wearing?

          And did she do something or say something to trigger him to violence?

          And was she drunk?

          And any of the other forms of victim blaming ….

          I cannot believe the lack of awareness of some people especially as you said after all the recent discussion – but then in the case of one or two here I can.

          The beige blog also has some interesting reading in that regard today. I see Casual Jacket is back here today, possibly as a result of the responses to some of his comments there ….

          • greywarshark 14.1.1.1.1

            Oh sorry every woman is a queen and all the ills and bads of the world bow down to her and give her safe passage. In your dreams. Women in the early 20th century had more go and pluck and nous than today’s easy-riders going forward on the back of the hard work put in by fighters for the right of women to have autonomy. Well women have got it, but modern lasses can’t handle it!

        • greywarshark 14.1.1.2

          Oh get real Sacha. Women have always had to be careful about whom they consort and comport with. The recent discussion is a bunch of wet-eyed soppy people who have chosen to get really emotional about someone who had everything in life, except a an understanding of how to care for her own safety. It’s a pity that the women-lovers who carry on about the pick of the month, can’t stretch out their compassion and concern to all the other women in NZ who are doing it hard. I guess they are the wrong class or something.

    • SaveNZ 14.2

      Complete sop. There is no reason he should have been given name suppression in the first place and just got it on a technicality. If our justice system is so fragile that someone over in the never never may know his name? They just need to be careful in the jury selection that none of them got his name before hand. No doubt it will be public knowledge shortly anyway so a few weeks makes zero difference to his case.

      His name is certainly not wide spread knowledge like if his name was printed in the paper or he was on NZ TV news. just goes to show some of our justice rules are not fit for purpose anymore if this type of scaremongering has validity.

      If he has any decency he will spare the family a trial.

      • A 14.2.1

        Agree. UK news pisses me off. A simple search online and the details are right there.

        Hope they get pawned in court. NZ law may not apply in the UK BUT the fact is their actions have a predictable ripple effect causing the name disclosed here.

      • James Thrace 14.2.2

        His lawyer will advise him to plead not guilty in order to extract maximum payment from his client.

        A pleading of guilty will dry up the lawyers income stream.

        Sad truth, but is the reality.

    • Gabby 14.3

      How would knowing his name affect someone’s ability to do the jury thing? Is name suppression ever granted to enable a fair trial? Isn’t it usually to protect family members?

  15. SPC 15

    The Dorian Gray Husk writes approvingly of the way the coalition government has forecasts of rising budget surpluses for the post 2020 period – falling debt and unable to spend more than 30% of GDP. The Husk can see, this along with National ending the $1B pa first year free year tertiary spending and cancelling the free second year the potential for National to offer a really big tax cut in their 2020 election manifesto.

    The right wing media was very favourable to Roger Douglas back in the day (of course he actually delivered a really big tax on the high income earners and then decided against any CGT as part of a balanced package – which began the trend towards larger new builds and a substantial rise in property values in the more desirable areas).

    • James Thrace 15.1

      With over $1.2tn going through the financial markets every year, a financial transaction tax of 1% will give the govt an income of $120bn a year.

      The current raft of taxes generates just $85bn a year.

      It is not hard to see that scrapping all forms of taxes and implementing an FTT of 1% will let to higher govt revenue and more money for consumers to spend as they see fit.

      • Antoine 15.1.1

        > With over $1.2tn going through the financial markets every year, a financial transaction tax of 1% will give the govt an income of $120bn a year.

        That it will not, see upthread.

        A.

  16. greywarshark 16

    Test

    Now let’s see if this will go through – 4th try!

    “has always cared about how New Zealanders are doing. That’s the ultimate measure for any government.”…”

    Trouble is the meaning of the word ‘measure’. How to measure, and what? You need good, appropriate statistics, counting, to do that ‘measure’ properly, not just choose a sample that shows the government in the best light (an 8 watt bulb). A government that celebrates individualism, and then takes stats that ignore how individuals are doing and doesn’t report on each spectrum of the nation’s pie, isn’t giving measure for measure.

    That is using statistics fraudulently Ms Adams, and that is how exteme poverty can be unnoticed by those Nationals celebrating a rock-star economy. Gnat ministers would likely say, “Don’t tell me about it in your report, I don’t want to know that!”

    On Google, Measure for Measure shows up a promotion for Nottingham actors – this sounds a good rollicking Shakespearean play that National gals and guys would enjoy!
    Measure for Measure – Pop-up Globe
    https://popupglobe.co.nz/shows/measure-for-measure/
    Measure for Measure – a searing expose of sexual exploitation and abuse of power presented in a timely and provocative production.

    Oh for true measure for measure for the National Party.
    What does the title Measure for Measure mean?
    of Measure for Measure: “Its temper is ironic as its title: ‘Measure,’ as there used. is a judicial term for the measuring out of justice; hence the title means, ‘justice for justice.’ But Angelo does not receive measure for measure, an eye for. an eye, a tooth for a tooth.
    Measure for Measure: The Significance of the Title – jstor
    https://www.jstor.org/stable/2866753

  17. greywarshark 17

    Test
    Please note – that though I have got the Test word onto the post, I have had four tries at sending my comment on Amy Adams quote in No.5, it has not shown up. Where has it gone? Is something putting it into spam? This is another test to see what triggers rejection.

  18. SaveNZ 18

    Nice story for a Friday afternoon.

    Desert turns into oasis: Man plants 50,000 trees in 15 years in N China

    A resident in southwest China’s Guizhou Province has been planting trees on a barren mountain for more than 30 years on end, without cutting a single tree for profit. He has, together with his wife, planted 76.67 hectares of trees since 1985.

    https://www.sbs.com.au/news/man-creates-a-forest-after-planting-trees-for-more-than-30-years

    • ianmac 18.1

      Amazing determination in Mongolia Save NZ. We in great old NZ have so many labour saving devices and yet it an up hill battle to get heaps planted and of course it is against bluddy minded Opposition who oppose planting because …? Wonder why?
      What has Simon got against trees.

      • SaveNZ 18.1.1

        Not just the Natz hatred of trees here, the councils and transport agencies are also major tree haters and can’t wait to destroy trees at any opportunity.

    • greywarshark 18.2

      Even nicer story for the weekend where we are trying to run a post to be an archive with ideas for helping a better environmental future for us all. The last one was called The Future Is… but it may change title. Everyone please visit and put up something helpful and interesting and links to save etc.

      savenz I copies it and put it over in the post as it is just the sort of story that we want to get on record with link. Thanks.

  19. RedLogix 20

    Crazy country, last week catastrophic bush fires to dodge, this week I’m on the edge of a Cat 4 cyclone.

    Everything is tied down, and outside its hammering lightening and rain. Visible ground strokes just a few hundred metres away. Yee hah😀

    • McFlock 20.1

      Good luck. I’m all good with the elemental forces of nature, but cat4 is putting the “mental” into it…

    • Koff 20.2

      We are in a boat off Fraser Island down wind from you. Forecast is now for TC Owen to fizzle out before it gets here. Summer in Oz is always a little crazy!

      • greywarshark 20.2.1

        That’s a big island – should give some protection from wind? Iguess it might be better to be at sea than right by coastline.

  20. greywarshark 21

    Let us know how you get on RL. We can’t do much but can commiserate! What part of Oz?

    • RedLogix 21.1

      About 100k south of Weipa. We should be OK here, but it’s still spectacular.

      • greywarshark 21.1.1

        Get them on camera so you can have fond memories! Sometimes dull is good eh.

        Interesting location very far north. Is there anything you have heard of interesting going on in the environment field up there? We are gathering ideas and putting on post on how to conserve water for droughts, fresh water, tree planting to bring shade and stop erosion etc.

  21. eco maori 22

    The Australian government need’s to heed to the call of the people and plan to stop burning coal in the prosess they will be drowning thee neighbor all the Pacific Island are in great danger of sea level rise. Australia is a cause of refugee and there solution is to lock the people in cages on a Island . Its not all doom and gloom as it looks like a new government next year in Australia .
    The call from 15 small Pacific island states came one day after the Australian government called for expressions of interest in new power generation projects, indicating it would be prepared to use taxpayer money to underwrite new coal plants.

    Leaders warned Australia’s relations in the Pacific were being eroded by a perceived intransigence in Canberra over coalmining.

    As the COP24 UN climate talks in Poland remained stalled over an unwillingness from major emitters to commit to further carbon emissions cuts, frustrated Pacific states, traditional allies of Australia, said the world must abandon coal-powered energy generation.
    Australia’s carbon emissions highest on record, data shows
    Read more

    The Fijian prime minister, Frank Bainimarama, the outgoing president of COP23, said: “We call on all OECD countries to quickly phase out their use of coal by 2030 and for all other countries to phase out their use of coal by 2040. There must be no expansion of existing coal mines or the creation of new mines.”
    Advertisement

    Australia and the US have both this week said publicly they have no plans to begin phasing out coal-generated power. Ka kite ano

    https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/dec/14/pacific-nations-under-climate-threat-urge-australia-to-abandon-coal-within-12-years

  22. eco maori 23

    NZ business are the biggest beneficiaries of NZ
    John is being politically correct and polite in his story about Aotearoa inequality and how the uber rich made there riches .
    I say they made there money by back room deals trading information they were ultimately taking from the people of Aotearoa cheating in my words hence my dislike of dilly joyce and his associates . Eco Maori say that the NZ benefit system is a direct subside to all the business in NZ and hence any poor people with out these benefit are struggling the young and the old in Aotearoa . There’s a global conversation raging over the massive growth in inequality and poverty. At home, that conversation is being led by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern who has seized on this agenda. Part of that national conversation is under way, via the Child Poverty Bill presently before Parliament.

    It is sobering to reflect on New Zealand and what the once great promise of an egalitarian society has finally come to look like and represent. It has all happened in the last 30 years.

    Many of the Kiwi folk who make up our rich list did not make their money simply by being sharp and clever innovators or entrepreneurs.

    The richest man in New Zealand, Graeme Hart, gained his boarding pass to becoming the country’s richest man in some respects by being in the right place at the right time when the New Zealand Printing Office was privatised. We all know the story of the merchant bankers Michael Fay and David Richwhite, and one-time transport tycoons Alan Gibbs and Trevor Farmer, who made their money in part by being well positioned around deregulation — therefore privatisation.

    Even the recently retired National Party politician Steven Joyce made his money before politics out of privatised radio bandwidths which were previously owned in the Government estate. Ana to kai Ka kite ano Links below. P.S I hope you get it no benefits min wage would be $25 a hour I don’t mean to scrap all benefits just a correction

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12078939

  23. eco maori 24

    The sandflys are commiting the same offenses against me the bank staff are blinded by there shiny badges shonky has given them to much power and they are flouting it .Eco Maori is going to WIN in the end
    New Zealand’s Security and Intelligence Service (NZSIS) has been found to be “very intrusive” in some of its requests to banks for customers’ information.
    Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security Cheryl Gwyn appears before the select committee.

    Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security Cheryl Gwyn RNZ / Diego Opatowski

    The spy agency watchdog, Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security Cheryl Gwyn, has released a report on a three month assessment of the service’s policy and practices of acquiring personal information from banks.

    She found that despite using voluntary disclosure requests, rather than getting official warrants to obtain the information, the voluntary aspect wasn’t always made clear.

    “Some of the past collection by the NZSIS would have constituted unreasonable searches contrary to the Bill of Rights,” Ms Gwyn said.

    The law was changed last year with the enactment of the Intelligence and Security Act 2017, which has resolved some of the issues identified, she said. Ka kite ano links below.

    https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/378274/sis-very-intrusive-in-some-requests-for-bank-customer-info

  24. eco maori 25

    Here is why health cost are so enormously expensive in America some people buy smaller drug companies change the name of the drugs and hike the prices of the health drugs by 5000% hence millions of people in America can not afford health care .
    We must never let ANYONE stop Aotearoa Pharma if we do the mutuality national neo liberals capitalist will drain Aotearoa of money. PURE GREED. Ana to kai ka kite ano links below

  25. eco maori 26

    This is a video for the above post I could not get any storys on Valeant any were else except youtube ka pai youtube ka kite ano P.S YOU NEED TO watch Dirty Money on NetFlix

  26. eco maori 27

    I seen this person on Tv a few months back and I DID NOT like what I saw I got the same feeling when I seen him on the Millane case but out of respect for Millane whano I held my words back than the gods have answered my concerns when I found this story on News Room website
    Detective Inspector Scott Beard’s handling of the Millane case touched some New Zealanders and the Millane family, and has won praise from colleagues and politicians, but he has been working under internal scrutiny after Auckland Area Commander Gary Davey investigated four allegations against him pre-dating the Millane case – and upheld them.

    Davey had been asked by Police Commissioner Mike Bush to inquire into a complaint against Beard. The four counts include sharing confidential police information of a sensitive nature, breaching the confidentiality of his team members and supervisors, breaching the privacy of a victim’s parent, and separately selling or supplying alcohol at his Hibiscus Coast Football Club. Ana to kai ka kite ano link below

    https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2018/12/14/363361/grace-cop-subject-of-internal-inquiry

  27. eco maori 28

    Kia ora Newshub there are a lot of fool about poisoning those pohutukawa trees they take at least 50 years to get to the size of the ones poisoned up North.
    I seen a story on this sight TSD about the J&J talcom baby powder there was a lady who died of cancer she put it on everyday capitalism at its best No.
    Good on the young fella for being so industrious and selling his services to preforming a haka.
    Shakira one can not hid anything now days just pay your tax’s to your country.
    That good a good story White Stone cheese winning a prize in France that is what we should be doing with a lot of our foods high value markets ka pai.
    I think that people need to be polite with mowing the berm issues there is a point to mow or not to mow one is good for the environment and ones not lol .
    Those pounamu are a awesome sight and the story about the tiki tiki is cool.
    Kate that is a good story line of Aquaman being rescued by a wahine we need to raze everyone respect for wahine
    Mike someone told me that Ruamoko was singing his waiata and preforming a haka loud and proud last night I missed it went to sleep early last night.
    Ka kite ano

  28. eco maori 29

    Some Eco Maori Music for the minute.

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    Bryce Edwards writes – Many criticisms are being made of the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill, including by this writer. But as with everything in politics, every story has two sides, and both deserve attention. It’s important to understand what the Government is trying to achieve and its ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • Bernard’s pick 'n' mix for Monday, April 29
    TL;DR: Here’s my top 10 ‘pick ‘n’ mix of links to news, analysis and opinion articles as of 10:10am on Monday, April 29:Scoop: The children's ward at Rotorua Hospital will be missing a third of its beds as winter hits because Te Whatu Ora halted an upgrade partway through to ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on Iran killing its rappers, and searching for the invisible Dr. Reti
    span class=”dropcap”>As hideous as David Seymour can be, it is worth keeping in mind occasionally that there are even worse political figures (and regimes) out there. Iran for instance, is about to execute the country’s leading hip hop musician Toomaj Salehi, for writing and performing raps that “corrupt” the nation’s ...
    3 days ago
  • Auckland Rail Electrification 10 years old
    Yesterday marked 10 years since the first electric train carried passengers in Auckland so it’s a good time to look back at it and the impact it has had. A brief history The first proposals for rail electrification in Auckland came in the 1920’s alongside the plans for earlier ...
    3 days ago
  • Coalition's dirge of austerity and uncertainty is driving the economy into a deeper recession
    Right now, in Aotearoa-NZ, our ‘animal spirits’ are darkening towards a winter of discontent, thanks at least partly to a chorus of negative comments and actions from the Government Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Disability Funding or Tax Cuts.
    You make people evil to punish the paststuck inside a sequel with a rotating castThe following photos haven’t been generated with AI, or modified in any way. They are flesh and blood, human beings. On the left is Galatea Young, a young mum, and her daughter Fiadh who has Angelman ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • Of the Goodness of Tolkien’s Eru
    April has been a quiet month at A Phuulish Fellow. I have had an exceptionally good reading month, and a decently productive writing month – for original fiction, anyway – but not much has caught my eye that suggested a blog article. It has been vaguely frustrating, to be honest. ...
    3 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #17
    A listing of 31 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 21, 2024 thru Sat, April 27, 2024. Story of the week Anthropogenic climate change may be the ultimate shaggy dog story— but with a twist, because here ...
    3 days ago
  • Pastor Who Abused People, Blames People
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    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    3 days ago
  • Vic Uni shows how under threat free speech is
    The new Victoria University Vice-Chancellor decided to have a forum at the university about free speech and academic freedom as it is obviously a topical issue, and the Government is looking at legislating some carrots or sticks for universities to uphold their obligations under the Education and Training Act. They ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Winston remembers Gettysburg.
    Do you remember when Melania Trump got caught out using a speech that sounded awfully like one Michelle Obama had given? Uncannily so.Well it turns out that Abraham Lincoln is to Winston Peters as Michelle was to Melania. With the ANZAC speech Uncle Winston gave at Gallipoli having much in ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • 25
    She was born 25 years ago today in North Shore hospital. Her eyes were closed tightly shut, her mouth was silently moving. The whole theatre was all quiet intensity as they marked her a 2 on the APGAR test. A one-minute eternity later, she was an 8.  The universe was ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago
  • Fact Brief – Is Antarctica gaining land ice?
    Skeptical Science is partnering with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. This fact brief was written by Sue Bin Park in collaboration with members from our Skeptical Science team. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Is Antarctica gaining land ice? ...
    4 days ago
  • Policing protests.
    Images of US students (and others) protesting and setting up tent cities on US university campuses have been broadcast world wide and clearly demonstrate the growing rifts in US society caused by US policy toward Israel and Israel’s prosecution of … Continue reading ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    5 days ago
  • Open letter to Hon Paul Goldsmith
    Barrie Saunders writes – Dear Paul As the new Minister of Media and Communications, you will be inundated with heaps of free advice and special pleading, all in the national interest of course. For what it’s worth here is my assessment: Traditional broadcasting free to air content through ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Bryce Edwards: FastTrackWatch – The Case for the Government’s Fast Track Bill
    Many criticisms are being made of the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill, including by this writer. But as with everything in politics, every story has two sides, and both deserve attention. It’s important to understand what the Government is trying to achieve and its arguments for such a bold reform. ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    5 days ago
  • Luxon gets out his butcher’s knife – briefly
    Peter Dunne writes –  The great nineteenth British Prime Minister, William Gladstone, once observed that “the first essential for a Prime Minister is to be a good butcher.” When a later British Prime Minister, Harold Macmillan, sacked a third of his Cabinet in July 1962, in what became ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • More tax for less
    Ele Ludemann writes – New Zealanders had the OECD’s second highest tax increase last year: New Zealanders faced the second-biggest tax raises in the developed world last year, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) says. The intergovernmental agency said the average change in personal income tax ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Real News vs Fake News.
    We all know something’s not right with our elections. The spread of misinformation, people being targeted with soundbites and emotional triggers that ignore the facts, even the truth, and influence their votes.The use of technology to produce deep fakes. How can you tell if something is real or not? Can ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • Another way to roll
    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.Share ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago
  • Simon Clark: The climate lies you'll hear this year
    This video includes conclusions of the creator climate scientist Dr. Simon Clark. It is presented to our readers as an informed perspective. Please see video description for references (if any). This year you will be lied to! Simon Clark helps prebunk some misleading statements you'll hear about climate. The video includes ...
    5 days ago
  • Cutting the Public Service
    It is all very well cutting the backrooms of public agencies but it may compromise the frontlines. One of the frustrations of the Productivity Commission’s 2017 review of universities is that while it observed that their non-academic staff were increasing faster than their academic staff, it did not bother to ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    5 days ago
  • Luxon’s demoted ministers might take comfort from the British politician who bounced back after th...
    Buzz from the Beehive Two speeches delivered by Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters at Anzac Day ceremonies in Turkey are the only new posts on the government’s official website since the PM announced his Cabinet shake-up. In one of the speeches, Peters stated the obvious:  we live in a troubled ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago
  • This is how I roll over
    1. Which of these would you not expect to read in The Waikato Invader?a. Luxon is here to do business, don’t you worry about thatb. Mr KPI expects results, and you better believe itc. This decisive man of action is getting me all hot and excitedd. Melissa Lee is how ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago
  • The Waitangi Tribunal is not “a roving Commission”…
    …it has a restricted jurisdiction which must not be abused: it is not an inquisition   NOTE – this article was published before the High Court ruled that Karen Chhour does not have to appear before the Waitangi Tribunal Gary Judd writes –  The High Court ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • Is Oranga Tamariki guilty of neglect?
    Lindsay Mitchell writes – One of reasons Oranga Tamariki exists is to prevent child neglect. But could the organisation itself be guilty of the same? Oranga Tamariki’s statistics show a decrease in the number and age of children in care. “There are less children ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago
  • Three Strikes saw lower reoffending
    David Farrar writes: Graeme Edgeler wrote in 2017: In the first five years after three strikes came into effect 5248 offenders received a ‘first strike’ (that is, a “stage-1 conviction” under the three strikes sentencing regime), and 68 offenders received a ‘second strike’. In the five years prior to ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • Luxon’s ruthless show of strength is perfect for our angry era
    Bryce Edwards writes – Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has surprised everyone with his ruthlessness in sacking two of his ministers from their crucial portfolios. Removing ministers for poor performance after only five months in the job just doesn’t normally happen in politics. That’s refreshing and will be extremely ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • 'Lacks attention to detail and is creating double-standards.'
    TL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the two days to 6:06am on Thursday, April 25:Politics: PM Christopher Luxon has set up a dual standard for ministerial competence by demoting two National Cabinet ministers while leaving also-struggling ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago
  • One Night Only!
    Hi,Today I mainly want to share some of your thoughts about the recent piece I wrote about success and failure, and the forces that seemingly guide our lives. But first, a quick bit of housekeeping: I am doing a Webworm popup in Los Angeles on Saturday May 11 at 2pm. ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago
  • What did Melissa Lee do?
    It is hard to see what Melissa Lee might have done to “save” the media. National went into the election with no public media policy and appears not to have developed one subsequently. Lee claimed that she had prepared a policy paper before the election but it had been decided ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    6 days ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #17 2024
    Open access notables Ice acceleration and rotation in the Greenland Ice Sheet interior in recent decades, Løkkegaard et al., Communications Earth & Environment: In the past two decades, mass loss from the Greenland ice sheet has accelerated, partly due to the speedup of glaciers. However, uncertainty in speed derived from satellite products ...
    6 days ago
  • Maori Party (with “disgust”) draws attention to Chhour’s race after the High Court rules on Wa...
    Buzz from the Beehive A statement from Children’s Minister Karen Chhour – yet to be posted on the Government’s official website – arrived in Point of Order’s email in-tray last night. It welcomes the High Court ruling on whether the Waitangi Tribunal can demand she appear before it. It does ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    7 days ago
  • Who’s Going Up The Media Mountain?
    Mr Bombastic: Ironically, the media the academic experts wanted is, in many ways, the media they got. In place of the tyrannical editors of yesteryear, advancing without fear or favour the interests of the ruling class; the New Zealand news media of today boasts a troop of enlightened journalists dedicated to ...
    7 days ago
  • “That's how I roll”
    It's hard times try to make a livingYou wake up every morning in the unforgivingOut there somewhere in the cityThere's people living lives without mercy or pityI feel good, yeah I'm feeling fineI feel better then I have for the longest timeI think these pills have been good for meI ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    7 days ago
  • “Comity” versus the rule of law
    In 1974, the US Supreme Court issued its decision in United States v. Nixon, finding that the President was not a King, but was subject to the law and was required to turn over the evidence of his wrongdoing to the courts. It was a landmark decision for the rule ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 week ago
  • Aotearoa: a live lab for failed Right-wing socio-economic zombie experiments once more…
    Every day now just seems to bring in more fresh meat for the grinder. In their relentlessly ideological drive to cut back on the “excessive bloat” (as they see it) of the previous Labour-led government, on the mountains of evidence accumulated in such a short period of time do not ...
    exhALANtBy exhalantblog
    1 week ago
  • Water is at the heart of farmers’ struggle to survive in Benin
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Megan Valére Sosou Market gardening site of the Itchèléré de Itagui agricultural cooperative in Dassa-Zoumè (Image credit: Megan Valère Sossou) For the residents of Dassa-Zoumè, a city in the West African country of Benin, choosing between drinking water and having enough ...
    1 week ago
  • At a time of media turmoil, Melissa had nothing to proclaim as Minister – and now she has been dem...
    Buzz from the Beehive   Melissa Lee – as may be discerned from the screenshot above – has not been demoted for doing something seriously wrong as Minister of ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 week ago

  • Minister acknowledges passing of Sir Robert Martin (KNZM)
    New Zealand lost a true legend when internationally renowned disability advocate Sir Robert Martin (KNZM) passed away at his home in Whanganui last night, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. “Our Government’s thoughts are with his wife Lynda, family and community, those he has worked with, the disability community in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    11 hours ago
  • Speech to New Zealand Institute of International Affairs, Parliament – Annual Lecture: Challenges ...
    Good evening –   Before discussing the challenges and opportunities facing New Zealand’s foreign policy, we’d like to first acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. You have contributed to debates about New Zealand foreign policy over a long period of time, and we thank you for hosting us.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    11 hours ago
  • Accelerating airport security lines
    From today, passengers travelling internationally from Auckland Airport will be able to keep laptops and liquids in their carry-on bags for security screening thanks to new technology, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Creating a more efficient and seamless travel experience is important for holidaymakers and businesses, enabling faster movement through ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    13 hours ago
  • Community hui to talk about kina barrens
    People with an interest in the health of Northland’s marine ecosystems are invited to a public meeting to discuss how to deal with kina barrens, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones will lead the discussion, which will take place on Friday, 10 May, at Awanui Hotel in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    19 hours ago
  • Kiwi exporters win as NZ-EU FTA enters into force
    Kiwi exporters are $100 million better off today with the NZ EU FTA entering into force says Trade Minister Todd McClay. “This is all part of our plan to grow the economy. New Zealand's prosperity depends on international trade, making up 60 per cent of the country’s total economic activity. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    19 hours ago
  • Mining resurgence a welcome sign
    There are heartening signs that the extractive sector is once again becoming an attractive prospect for investors and a source of economic prosperity for New Zealand, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The beginnings of a resurgence in extractive industries are apparent in media reports of the sector in the past ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    21 hours ago
  • Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill passes first reading
    The return of the historic Ō-Rākau battle site to the descendants of those who fought there moved one step closer today with the first reading of Te Pire mō Ō-Rākau, Te Pae o Maumahara / The Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill. The Bill will entrust the 9.7-hectare battle site, five kilometres west ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Government to boost public EV charging network
    Energy Minister Simeon Brown has announced 25 new high-speed EV charging hubs along key routes between major urban centres and outlined the Government’s plan to supercharge New Zealand’s EV infrastructure.  The hubs will each have several chargers and be capable of charging at least four – and up to 10 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Residential Property Managers Bill to not progress
    The coalition Government will not proceed with the previous Government’s plans to regulate residential property managers, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “I have written to the Chairperson of the Social Services and Community Committee to inform him that the Government does not intend to support the Residential Property Managers Bill ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Independent review into disability support services
    The Government has announced an independent review into the disability support system funded by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha. Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston says the review will look at what can be done to strengthen the long-term sustainability of Disability Support Services to provide disabled people and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Justice Minister updates UN on law & order plan
    Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has attended the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva and outlined the Government’s plan to restore law and order. “Speaking to the United Nations Human Rights Council provided us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while responding to issues and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Ending emergency housing motels in Rotorua
    The Government and Rotorua Lakes Council are committed to working closely together to end the use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua. Associate Minister of Housing (Social Housing) Tama Potaka says the Government remains committed to ending the long-term use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua by the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Trade Minister travels to Riyadh, OECD, and Dubai
    Trade Minister Todd McClay heads overseas today for high-level trade talks in the Gulf region, and a key OECD meeting in Paris. Mr McClay will travel to Riyadh to meet with counterparts from Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). “New Zealand’s goods and services exports to the Gulf region ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Education priorities focused on lifting achievement
    Education Minister Erica Stanford has outlined six education priorities to deliver a world-leading education system that sets Kiwi kids up for future success. “I’m putting ambition, achievement and outcomes at the heart of our education system. I want every child to be inspired and engaged in their learning so they ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • NZTA App first step towards digital driver licence
    The new NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) App is a secure ‘one stop shop’ to provide the services drivers need, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Digitising Government Minister Judith Collins say.  “The NZTA App will enable an easier way for Kiwis to pay for Vehicle Registration and Road User Charges (RUC). ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Supporting whānau out of emergency housing
    Whānau with tamariki growing up in emergency housing motels will be prioritised for social housing starting this week, says Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka. “Giving these whānau a better opportunity to build healthy stable lives for themselves and future generations is an essential part of the Government’s goal of reducing ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Tribute to Dave O'Sullivan
    Racing Minister Winston Peters has paid tribute to an icon of the industry with the recent passing of Dave O’Sullivan (OBE). “Our sympathies are with the O’Sullivan family with the sad news of Dave O’Sullivan’s recent passing,” Mr Peters says. “His contribution to racing, initially as a jockey and then ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Speech – Eid al-Fitr
    Assalaamu alaikum, greetings to you all. Eid Mubarak, everyone! I want to extend my warmest wishes to you and everyone celebrating this joyous occasion. It is a pleasure to be here. I have enjoyed Eid celebrations at Parliament before, but this is my first time joining you as the Minister ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government saves access to medicines
    Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced Pharmac’s largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff.    “Access to medicines is a crucial part of many Kiwis’ lives. We’ve committed to a budget allocation of $1.774 billion over four years so Kiwis are ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Pharmac Chair appointed
    Hon Paula Bennett has been appointed as member and chair of the Pharmac board, Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced today. "Pharmac is a critical part of New Zealand's health system and plays a significant role in ensuring that Kiwis have the best possible access to medicines,” says Mr Seymour. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Taking action on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
    Hundreds of New Zealand families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) will benefit from a new Government focus on prevention and treatment, says Health Minister Dr Shane Reti. “We know FASD is a leading cause of preventable intellectual and neurodevelopmental disability in New Zealand,” Dr Reti says.  “Every day, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • New sports complex opens in Kaikohe
    Regional Development Minister Shane Jones today attended the official opening of Kaikohe’s new $14.7 million sports complex. “The completion of the Kaikohe Multi Sports Complex is a fantastic achievement for the Far North,” Mr Jones says. “This facility not only fulfils a long-held dream for local athletes, but also creates ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Diplomacy needed more than ever
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ engagements in Türkiye this week underlined the importance of diplomacy to meet growing global challenges.    “Returning to the Gallipoli Peninsula to represent New Zealand at Anzac commemorations was a sombre reminder of the critical importance of diplomacy for de-escalating conflicts and easing tensions,” Mr Peters ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Anzac Commemorative Address, Buttes New British Cemetery Belgium
    Ambassador Millar, Burgemeester, Vandepitte, Excellencies, military representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen – good morning and welcome to this sacred Anzac Day dawn service.  It is an honour to be here on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood – a deeply ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Anzac Commemorative Address – NZ National Service, Chunuk Bair
    Distinguished guests -   It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders.   Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Anzac Commemorative Address – Dawn Service, Gallipoli, Türkiye
    Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia.   Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • PM announces changes to portfolios
    Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • New catch limits for unique fishery areas
    Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Minister welcomes hydrogen milestone
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    1 week ago
  • Urgent changes to system through first RMA Amendment Bill
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    1 week ago
  • Overseas decommissioning models considered
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    1 week ago
  • Release of North Island Severe Weather Event Inquiry
    Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
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    1 week ago
  • Justice Minister to attend Human Rights Council
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  • Patterson reopens world’s largest wool scouring facility
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    1 week ago
  • Speech to the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective Summit, 18 April 2024
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    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Government to introduce revised Three Strikes law
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    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • New diplomatic appointments
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions.   “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says.    “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
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    1 week ago
  • Humanitarian support for Ethiopia and Somalia
    New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today.   “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
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    1 week ago
  • Arts Minister congratulates Mataaho Collective
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    2 weeks ago
  • Supporting better financial outcomes for Kiwis
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    2 weeks ago

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