Open mike 15/04/2015

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, April 15th, 2015 - 184 comments
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184 comments on “Open mike 15/04/2015 ”

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  1. Paul 1
    15 April 2015 at 6:51 am

    This post by Clemgeopin at 11.03 p.m last night was so good I thought it should be put at the top of this thread as it deserves more attention.

    “But yet, in that same interview Key says this :

    “Look I don’t know anything about the show other than what I read in the paper, but if you look at what you read in the paper, it’s rating badly and it’s been rating poorly over the last while.” Asked whether the programme’s work in Christchurch was worthwhile, Key said “I don’t know, I don’t see enough of it to be honest.”

    I think Key is bull shitting again!

    Today, Campbell Live topics included, Zero Hour Contracts and Auckland housing problems. Michael Woodhouse and John Key were invited.

    BOTH of them declined to attend!

    Yet Key is supposed to have graced Paul Henry’s show twice in one week already!”

  2. CnrJoe 2
    15 April 2015 at 7:06 am

    Noted from Twitter-
    Maurice Williamson sacked for cabinet rule breach.
    Simon Bridges? John Key seems a bit unsure of what the rules are all of a sudden.
    Goldenboy must be protected?

    • rawshark-yeshe 2.1
      15 April 2015 at 8:55 am

      if Bridges is the ‘Goldenboy’, heaven help us from the nats’ tin men ! what a joke.

      • Lanthanide 2.1.1
        15 April 2015 at 9:16 am

        I really hope Bridges becomes their next leader. Or a future leader, anyway.

        His smiley veneer will easily crack under the pressure.

        He also talks very very slowly, I can’t tell if it’s because he’s thick and slow-witted, or deliberately talking slowly so as to chew up interview time and reduce the signal-to-noise ratio.

        • Realblue 2.1.1.1
          15 April 2015 at 10:24 am

          He had a stutter as a child. Much like Matt McCartan. So I imagine speech therapy has been the answer to people like you mocking his speech.

          • Lanthanide 2.1.1.1.1
            15 April 2015 at 10:33 am

            Ok, didn’t know that. I shall decline from mocking him further on that basis.

            • McFlock 2.1.1.1.1.1
              15 April 2015 at 11:11 am

              He was also raised by pirates, which is why he has such an affinity for using ships to get buried treasure, and gets all shouty at the slightest excuse.

            • emergency mike 2.1.1.1.1.2
              15 April 2015 at 12:16 pm

              No shortage of ways to mock Simon Bridges.

            • Anne 2.1.1.1.1.3
              15 April 2015 at 3:42 pm

              Its not a speech defect that’s the problem. Its his hideous accent – like a deep toned version of a cat’s meow repeated over and over again.

          • Kevin 2.1.1.1.2
            15 April 2015 at 1:23 pm

            Paid for on the public teat?

            • Realblue 2.1.1.1.2.1
              15 April 2015 at 1:48 pm

              He was a child, so it probably was. Are you the type that would deny a child healthcare?

              • Murray Rawshark …
                15 April 2015 at 2:35 pm

                “Are you the type that would deny a child healthcare?”

                My guess would be no, but Bridges, Bennett, and Key certainly are.

              • tracey …
                15 April 2015 at 2:41 pm

                Hateatea 15
                15 April 2015 at 1:42 pm

                http://norightturn.blogspot.co.nz/2015/04/a-failure-to-deliver.html

                Anyone who has attempted to obtain funding / support for a child with cognitive delay and / or behavioural issues that impact on their education will attest to the frustrating buck passing that goes on between DHB, GSE and MoE and now we discover that they are not delivering on a specifically funded programme that could be helping children right now.

                If it wouldn’t hurt my elderly brain I would be hitting my head on my desk!

          • tracey 2.1.1.1.3
            15 April 2015 at 1:53 pm

            It’s also a trait of criminal lawyers when they speak publicly, especially older ones. Had to speak slowly to enable stenographers and juries to clearly follow. There were still stenographers in the 90’s so he may have cut his litigation teeth on that system too.

            All of that aside can you explain why he lies?

        • utu 2.1.1.2
          15 April 2015 at 3:45 pm

          He talks slowly because he thinks WE’RE thick!

  3. Armchair Critic 3
    15 April 2015 at 8:09 am

    Yes all a bit telling isn’t it ?

  4. Paul 4
    15 April 2015 at 8:43 am

    We are reminded all the time around ANZAC Day of the deaths of soldiers at Gallipoli with the words. ‘Lest we forget.’

    I read in the paper today.

    “First New Zealand troops set to deploy to Iraq”

    Clearly we have forgotten.
    Sending our soldiers to foreign countries to deal with other people’s arguments is a recipe for death, division and destruction.

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/67756596/first-new-zealand-troops-set-to-deploy-to-iraq

    • Paul 4.1
      15 April 2015 at 9:08 am

      And large corporates exploit the deaths of ANZACS 100 years ago.

      http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/world/67755660/woolworths-anzac-campaign-hijacked-by-internet-memes

      In the UK, a supermarket there was also shown to be totally cynical in their using people’s memory of WW1 to sell their products and increase their profits.

      http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/nov/13/sainsburys-christmas-ad-first-world-war

      • Charles 4.1.1
        15 April 2015 at 9:15 am

        On the weekend, in New World, I saw a box of ANZAC 100 year anniversary chocolates, made in the shape of WW1 tin hats. Now you too can celebrate the glorious deaths of your ancestors by eating their hats. I hope they didn’t sell any, I don’t need anymore evidence that the people around me are insane.

        What will we accept next? Chocolate in the shape of cancerous tumours to remember the loss of your loved ones?

        • Paul 4.1.1.1
          15 April 2015 at 9:25 am

          Remember when you see Key and Abbott showboating at Gallipoli in 10 days’ time that they have both sent young men and women to the Middle East to fight and potentially die in a war that does not have anything to do with NZ.

          • Charles 4.1.1.1.1
            15 April 2015 at 9:45 am

            I will not argue your opinion, since we share what seems to be the same desired outcome. Unfortunately (from my point of view) it does have something to do with NZ, as much as WW1 had anything to do with NZ. The question I prefer to ask is why we need to send people away to kill or be killed to sustain unsustainable thought processes that could be fixed without sending anyone anywhere, or having anyone kill anyone else.

        • Rosie 4.1.1.2
          15 April 2015 at 1:02 pm

          I saw those ANZAC WW1 tin hat shaped chocolates in New World too. Couldn’t believe I was seeing such a tasteless and inappropriate grocery item.

          I couldn’t get to the display stand for a closer look to see who manufactured them as there was a bunch of people milling around in that vicinity.

          I had wondered if it was a RSA fundraiser idea gone terribly wrong.

          Chocolate I associate with celebration, indulgence and festivity, not commemorating the war dead, and all the misery and suffering that goes with that.

          Just plain weird.

          • Kiwiri - Raided of the Last Shark 4.1.1.2.1
            15 April 2015 at 1:49 pm

            On another topic related to Anzac, Woolworths across the Tasman has been in a bit of a pickle but let off.

            http://www.theguardian.com/news/2015/apr/15/woolworths-pulls-anzac-ad-campaign-after-failing-to-ask-for-official-approval

            An interesting question that should be asked is how much has Woolworths been donating to Tony Abbott’s party in recent years.

            • Rosie 4.1.1.2.1.1
              15 April 2015 at 2:45 pm

              Yes, thats the story that Paul linked to above. God knows what the ad agency was thinking when they came up with that one. It’s disgusting that they could be so brazenly exploitative, once again, of misery, suffering, loss and death.

              The boundaries of sensitivity were well and truly breached with that campaign.

              This WW1 100 year commemoration, already gratuitously hyped is spilling over into the strange and bizarre.

              • tracey …
                15 April 2015 at 2:54 pm

                Most bizarre is our fixation with a lost battle… Men don’t usually like to re-live losses…

                • Rosie …
                  15 April 2015 at 4:50 pm

                  I wonder what social psychologists would offer in the way of an explanation. A collective need to mourn?
                  As humans maybe there is a tendency to commemorate out losses as well as wins or gains.
                  I’m thinking about the great defeat for the Scots at Culloden in 1746. They have a centre dedicated to education and the commemoration of the battle.

                  http://www.nts.org.uk/Culloden/PPF/VisitorCentre/

                  • tracey …
                    15 April 2015 at 4:52 pm

                    I could understand if we were marking it as the first of a step toward realising the UK was using us and we didn’t need them…

                    • Rosie …
                      15 April 2015 at 5:29 pm

                      We were still so beholden to the Mother country, and staying in her shadows. Being a dominion of Britain, maybe we had little sense of self identity as a population of NZ and clung to our over bearing parent for a sense of false security.

                      What sense of identity we did develop post dominion seems to have dissolved as we shift from the Little Britain of the past into Little America.

                  • tracey …
                    15 April 2015 at 4:53 pm

                    I don’t think Key met the Black Caps at the airport when they came home? He even took time out of his schedule to meet the rugby world cup at the airport (that’s right the cup).

          • weka 4.1.1.2.2
            15 April 2015 at 2:49 pm

            http://business.scoop.co.nz/2015/03/22

            Chicago are an RSA fundraiser, kind of.

            • Rosie 4.1.1.2.2.1
              15 April 2015 at 4:34 pm

              Thanks weka. That’s interesting. I’m familiar with the importer, William Aitken Ltd. I used to deal with them in a former job role, as one of our suppliers.

              So it seems they are close with the Belgian supplier of the chocolate and have the blessing of the RSA, and that 50 cents from each $7 sale will go the RSA………
              It seems WA Ltd are enthusiastic about the part they play in distributing the chocolates and have thought about the history, and considered the role of their ancestor in WW1. Interesting to look at it from their view.

              BUT! I find it creepy, crass and plain odd. Imagine sitting around with people passing around a box of chocolate WW1 helmets, and munching away on them. It would be like eating a representation of the uniforms of the dead.

              What next? Little chocolate headstones, war monuments, crosses, the saddles of the poor traumatised war horses?

              • tracey …
                15 April 2015 at 4:42 pm

                Poppies used to be made out of Killmarnoch Enterprises in Christchurch. What we used to call Sheltered Workshops. Now they are done in conjunction with RSA and an expensive machine. That’s kind of sad.

                • Rosie …
                  15 April 2015 at 4:53 pm

                  Yes, I remember. It was sad that the work got taken away from the people that enjoyed making the poppies. They got something out of doing that work.
                  Made in China now aren’t they?

  5. Tony P 5
    15 April 2015 at 8:46 am

    Can someone look at the RSS feed please as it does not seem to be working. This message comes up when clicking on the RSS button.

    “The requested resource/feed/ is no longer available on this server and there is no forwarding address. Please remove all references to this resource.”

    Thanks.

    • wyndham 5.1
      15 April 2015 at 8:54 am

      Yes Tony P I’ve had this problem for a week or so now. My existing link to RSS Feeds no longer responsive.

    • lprent 5.2
      15 April 2015 at 9:05 am

      Try now.

      I knew I forgot something last night. Just had to put some exceptions in for the post feeds so they didn’t get caught in the exclusions for the comments feed that some bot net was harassing the site for in the weekend.

      It did however get rid of the annoying bots that have been chewing up bandwidth for the last few weeks.

      Anyway off to work.

  6. adam 6
    15 April 2015 at 9:25 am

    Good News – been quietly watching, and hoping this would happen for some time — it was announced yesterday. Good to see cross region co-operation and I wish them the best of luck.

    http://libcom.org/news/anarchist-federation-central-america-carribean-13042015

  7. Penny Bright 7
    15 April 2015 at 9:50 am

    How would employers like it if the shoe were on the other foot – regarding ‘Zero Hour’ contracts?

    Where employers would have to give paid work to employees who turned up whenever they felt like it, for as many hours as they liked?

    How could any business possibly operate on that basis?

    Just saying ….

    Penny Bright

    http://www.pennybright4mayor.org.nz

  8. adam 8
    15 April 2015 at 9:52 am

    Saw this link on the daily blog – disturbing comments from Key incorporated. Around the role of the media and his opinions.

    http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/entertainment/john-key-dismisses-campbell-live/#.VSxF99AxtZN.twitter

    • Chooky 8.1
      15 April 2015 at 10:09 am

      Orwellian double speak…Key is really afraid of investigative journalism….look what happened to Hager

      Key knows John Campbell is one of the few television journalists to look in depth at what Key is doing to this country and how he operates

      http://www.3news.co.nz/tvshows/campbelllive/keys-meeting-with-gcsb-boss-revealed-2014052019

      http://www.3news.co.nz/nznews/john-key-hits-back-at-nick-hager-over-gcsb-claims-2015032405#axzz3XKAtacjT

      http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2015/04/14/why-the-axing-of-campbell-live-is-being-driven-by-dirty-politics/

      • Puckish Rogue 8.1.1
        15 April 2015 at 10:18 am

        If Campbel is that popular, if the people want what Campbel is selling (and yes hes selling advertsiing) then someone will offer him a slot

        If no one offers him a slot then it means the people of NZ have voted (boy you lefties hate it when voting goes against you) with their remote

        Maybe you hand wringers could start set up a kick starter to keep Campbel on the air…naah much better that someone else foots the bill as always

        • McFlock 8.1.1.1
          15 April 2015 at 11:26 am

          … this is the word of the Market.
          Praised be the Market.
          For even when measures of audience viewership be imperfect, or CEOs have clear conflict of interest issues when making programming decisions, the market is infallible.

          • Puckish Rogue 8.1.1.1.1
            15 April 2015 at 12:36 pm

            TV3 has to answer to its owners and its owners have to answer to its shareholders

            If its such a big deal and it has the viewers then start a petition to have Campbel run on TV1 instead, sounds like it’d be a better fit there

            • McFlock 8.1.1.1.1.1
              15 April 2015 at 1:04 pm

              Indeed. The market mechanism is perfect and can never be doubted in any way. After all, there’s a clear association between, for example, CEO performance and CEO remuneration – oh, wait…

            • tracey 8.1.1.1.1.2
              15 April 2015 at 2:04 pm

              and yet firstline’s numbers have been way below CL for years…. instead of dumping the show they changed the host to a very expensive one. Week one stats still put it behind CL’s older quoted figures.

            • freedom 8.1.1.1.1.3
              15 April 2015 at 2:16 pm

              Campbell Live have stated they make a profit…
              Some would say that’s a pretty good answer for the shareholders

              • Puckish Rogue …
                15 April 2015 at 3:10 pm

                But can something else in its place make more of a profit? If the owners think they can then its their decision not anyone elses

                • McFlock …
                  15 April 2015 at 3:22 pm

                  Spoken like a true moral and intellectual vacuum.

                • tracey …
                  15 April 2015 at 3:33 pm

                  Hmmm a decision to dump a profitable show, hire the most expensive tv host in NZ history, on the punt they can make money from a low rating show.

                  Occams razor PR?

                  • Puckish Rogue …
                    15 April 2015 at 4:01 pm

                    Campbells ratings have been dropping for the last couple of years, something has to change

                    • tracey …
                      15 April 2015 at 4:08 pm

                      so have Firstline’s but they get the most expensive braodcaster in NZ, not the chop. What does Occums Razor say to that PR?

                      Did you deliberately avoid addressing (with Occums Razor) the fact that CL is currently profitable, despite the falling ratings?

                    • Puckish Rogue …
                      15 April 2015 at 4:17 pm

                      C’mon Tracey as a lawyer (is that right?) I’m sure you’re aware that the pay packet of the host is small change in comparison to the advertising earned

                      So the pay packet is a red herring however I’d say good on the producers for trying something to raise the ratings

                      so my question is how long has Firstline been going on in comparison to Campbel live or don’t firstline deserves a chance?

                      Next thing is Campbell Live probably is profitable but since its in prime time its not profitable enough to justify being in that slot

                      For example one of parents rentals was only returning 6% on their investment and they saw a propert they believed they could get 7.5% from so being the conservative type they should their house making 5% and bought the house making 7.5% (they got it upto 8% by the by)

                      Should they have sold the first house?

                    • Paul …
                      15 April 2015 at 4:20 pm

                      You really have no idea.

        • Paul 8.1.1.2
          15 April 2015 at 12:02 pm

          It’s just a wee bit more complicated than that, pr.
          Still, I guess you are attracted by the simplicity of the neoliberal Randist theology.
          Beats realising the world is complex.

          • Puckish Rogue 8.1.1.2.1
            15 April 2015 at 12:33 pm

            Occans razor here, if he had the viewers (remember hes been losing viewers for years now) we wouldn’t be having this conversation as it wouldn’t have been brought up

            • Paul 8.1.1.2.1.1
              15 April 2015 at 12:34 pm

              Occam.

              ‘Occam’s razor (also written as Ockham’s razor and in Latin lex parsimoniae, which means ‘law of parsimony’) is a problem-solving principle devised by William of Ockham (c. 1287–1347), who was an English Franciscan friar and scholastic philosopher and theologian. The principle states that among competing hypotheses that predict equally well, the one with the fewest assumptions should be selected. Other, more complicated solutions may ultimately prove to provide better predictions, but—in the absence of differences in predictive ability—the fewer assumptions that are made, the better.’

              • Puckish Rogue …
                15 April 2015 at 3:14 pm

                Exactly, lower ratings in a prime time slot = cancellation

                and the reverse holds true higher ratings = not even having this conversation because it wouldn’t be happening

                • McFlock …
                  15 April 2015 at 3:40 pm

                  Get with the spin: “review”, not “cancellation”.

                  You’re supposed to minimise the threat to the show until after the decision has been made, in which case it”s a done deal that would be far too difficult to reverse.

            • Paul 8.1.1.2.1.2
              15 April 2015 at 12:37 pm

              Of course, the fact that he questions some of the challenges facing NZ under the God Key has nothing to do with it, pr.
              Life is much simpler when we look at life as just black and white, as opposed to many different shades of grey.

              • Puckish Rogue …
                15 April 2015 at 3:46 pm

                Sure you can think like that of course however Keys been in power since 2008 and its only now Campbell Live might be finishing

                Of course its got nothing to do with a couple of years of falling ratings

            • tracey 8.1.1.2.1.3
              15 April 2015 at 2:05 pm

              Then why was firstline kept with far lower numbers than CL? You know, Occams…

              • Puckish Rogue …
                15 April 2015 at 3:17 pm

                C’mon Tracey you’re smarter then that. Firstline was a breakfast timeslot show not primetime so you can’t really compare the two.

                • tracey …
                  15 April 2015 at 3:31 pm

                  hmmmm. have you seen TV1’s ratings for their breakfast comedy show with Crawlin Christie?

                  double-hmmmm so it has a smaller audience but the most expensive host in NZ… interesting decision, economically I mean 😉

                  and stop trying to distract me with your flatterin chatter!

                  • Puckish Rogue …
                    15 April 2015 at 3:53 pm

                    Its not flattery when its true 😉

                  • alwyn …
                    15 April 2015 at 6:24 pm

                    “but the most expensive host in NZ…”

                    You have some evidence for this claim Tracey?
                    It isn’t just s a debating trick I hope?

                    The TV show is only part of his program isn’t it? Doesn’t it also get broadcast on some radio station? In that case it would be the combined audience that matters. If the radio part was high enough then the cost of adding TV to it would be effectively zero.

              • Paul …
                15 April 2015 at 3:34 pm

                Wasting your time discussing the issue with a blinkered ideologue, Tracy.

            • Paul 8.1.1.2.1.4
              15 April 2015 at 3:24 pm

              You may believe the spin about ratings your God Key has told you.
              I choose to think.

    • adam 8.2
      15 April 2015 at 7:56 pm

      Let me see If I got the numbering right 🙂

      Interesting how Puckish Rogue – took the conversation away from the detrimental comments made by Key – I think he and the rest of the cupidity worshipping squad are worried about Key’s comments.

      They see this is a PM who is out of order and are using every trick in the book to deflect and change the conversation.

      Put propaganda holds only so much Puckish Fool – and your beloved PM is on the decline.

      Now for freedoms sake – I hope Key’s fall is a replay of the last disaster laden change of leadership we expect from national – when they feel they are tarnished with the public. This is happening as nationals lies are exposed, and the amorality of national party is being laid bare.

  9. Molly 9
    15 April 2015 at 10:16 am

    Mentioned a book called Locavesting a couple of weeks ago, regarding direct investment into local businesses.

    Just received an email that the website for this book has gone live. Haven’t had a good look yet, but others may be interested.

  10. Clemgeopin 10
    15 April 2015 at 11:26 am

    Please offer your support to the McDonald workers by signing the petition on the Unite website. See link below.
    ——-
    McDonald’s staff around the country will strike on Wednesday afternoon in a bid to get rid of controversial “zero-hour contracts”.

    The industrial action, organised by Unite Union, follows a failed mediation with the fast food franchise earlier in the week.

    Strike action kicks off in selected Auckland, Wellington and Palmerston North restaurants at noon, with more than 200 people indicating they will attend the Auckland event.

    Dunedin workers will strike at 5pm, followed by Christchurch workers at 6pm.

    All outlets will remain open during the strikes.
    ————
    Sign here :
    http://www.unite.org.nz/

    News report is here:
    http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/67756727/mcdonalds-workers-prepare-to-strike-over-zero-hours

  11. Paul 11
    15 April 2015 at 11:28 am

    ‘McDonald’s workers prepare to strike over zero hours’

    If you know people who eat the ‘food’ McDonalds sell, encourage them to buy instead from an establishment that has promised not to use zero hours contracts.

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/67756727/mcdonalds-workers-prepare-to-strike-over-zero-hours

    ‘Restaurant Brands, which owns KFC, Starbucks, Pizza Hut and Carl’s Jr, has escaped the union’s ire, agreeing last week to end zero-hour contracts by July.

    Burger King has also avoided strike action, as Treen said it had come back with an offer that would ensure regular shifts for workers within the next six months.’

    • grumpystilskin 11.1
      15 April 2015 at 1:49 pm

      Don’t eat that food, there’s a better option.
      Support your local bakery or the like, Your body will thank you later.
      Ironically I can’t eat modern wheat but you get the message..

  12. Draco T Bastard 12
    15 April 2015 at 11:43 am

    Why not voting is such a pitifully ineffective form of protest

    The first and most obvious reason that not voting is such a feeble form of protest is that the result is totally indistinguishable from total apathy. If the opponent of the political status quo does exactly the same form of non-action as the hopelessly apathetic fool who doesn’t care a jot about who rules over their lives or how the political system is structured, then how is it even possible to tell how many of those non-votes are ill-conceived protests and how many are manifestations of sheer apathy?The “just stop voting” advocate will often try to claim that if enough of us stopped voting then the election results would become illegitimate through lack of participation. Without explaining the mechanism by which the Westminster establishment parties would be removed from power after a mass non-vote, and without explaining what the system would be replaced with in the short-term, the “just stop voting” advocate is promoting a sheer fantasy. If they want us to believe that not voting is a sensible form of protest, the onus is on them to explain the mechanism by which the government is replaced with something better as a result of simply not voting.

    I, too, am really sick of the people who tell us not to vote. You don’t get change by not voting as it is seen as supporting the status quo rather than being against it.

    • Murray Rawshark 12.1
      15 April 2015 at 11:58 am

      You also don’t get significant change by voting, except when you accidentally vote ACT into power, as in 1984. As far as I’m concerned, what is important is what people do besides voting (or not voting). Apart from the sequential ACT governments since 1984, important changes have come from mass pressure outside parliament, when elected representatives have bowed to pressure. The neoliberal changes were brought about by minority pressure outside parliament, but in either case the parliamentarians didn’t come up with the changes themselves. Looking at the calibre of most, this is not at all surprising.

      • Kiwiri - Raided of the Last Shark 12.1.1
        15 April 2015 at 12:02 pm

        Just read that. Not sure whether to laugh hysterically or cry really hard.
        From what Felix had said in another context, do I have to choose?

      • Draco T Bastard 12.1.2
        15 April 2015 at 12:20 pm

        There is certainly more to electoral participation than only voting but voting is still an essential part of the process.

        • Murray Rawshark 12.1.2.1
          15 April 2015 at 2:39 pm

          As an example, I have no idea whether Penny Bright votes or not, but I would say she participates more than most in the democratic process. I vote myself, but I see it as a pretty passive method of participation.

    • Paul 12.2
      15 April 2015 at 12:04 pm

      What do you do if you live under FPP in either the US or the UK and the two main parties are called Tweedledee and Tweedledum?

      • Draco T Bastard 12.2.1
        15 April 2015 at 12:18 pm

        Vote for a change in the voting system which, I see, the Brits didn’t actually do.

        • Paul 12.2.1.1
          15 April 2015 at 12:23 pm

          I agree.
          Can’t believe the Lib Dems didn’t force it last time.

          • Kiwiri - Raided of the Last Shark 12.2.1.1.1
            15 April 2015 at 1:12 pm

            The Con-dems effectively killed real moves to change the voting system, as well as truly reforming the House of Lords.

      • McFlock 12.2.2
        15 April 2015 at 12:19 pm

        SNP.

        Or anyone else, really.
        It’s less responsive than under FPP than under MMP, but if the local votes start going towards a particular policy direction, the incumbent has a vested interest in going in that direction, too. And the UK council elections are also more party-aligned, so those are also a good way to give the local MP a fright.

        Certainly not reliable, but more reliable than not voting at all. It’s the hand the electors are dealt.

        • Paul 12.2.2.1
          15 April 2015 at 12:22 pm

          If you live in England, you can’t vote for SNP.
          I agree though. Not voting is giving away one of the few powers we have.
          If I lived in England, I’d vote Green as they are anti-austerity.
          If I lived in Scotland, I’d vote SNP.

          • Kiwiri - Raided of the Last Shark 12.2.2.1.1
            15 April 2015 at 1:23 pm

            Those are fine in terms of the general spirit.

            However, my friends in England in some constituencies are considering tactical voting to keep the Cons or even Lib-Dems out, and not even voting Green because of that.

  13. AUDNZD 13
    15 April 2015 at 1:05 pm

    The vain Key, the fixated PM, continues to push the flag change referendum. A national disgrace.

    • Paul 13.1
      15 April 2015 at 1:16 pm

      Despite the RSA being against it?

      • tracey 13.1.1
        15 April 2015 at 2:34 pm

        He knows what is best for them… Nah joking he knows what is best for him. On the one hand going on and on about Gallipoli, on the other hand ignoring the RSA… I am MOST surprised that he keeps mentioning Gallipoli, cos we lost.

        “”losing feels like failure and I don’t kinda like failure”.” John Key 2014

    • tc 13.2
      15 April 2015 at 1:16 pm

      Such an arrogant egotist pushing the flag nobody seems bothered about changing as it actually means something having history and identity.

      Granny has been running with a pointless and costly football world cup bid distraction also.

    • McFlock 13.3
      15 April 2015 at 1:29 pm

      He’s committed now.

      Maybe a brown turd with dollar signs coming off it in wavy lines (like smells), all on a blue background?

      • Puckish Rogue 13.3.1
        15 April 2015 at 4:22 pm

        I actually like the idea of a new flag (and anthem) but i don’t get why hes pushing it so hard

        • McFlock 13.3.1.1
          15 April 2015 at 4:30 pm

          Because there’s nothing else for him to push. And legacy syndrome, before he bails. It’s something suitably shallow for him to look at as an achievement, and it’s not like he can be proud of anything else.

        • tracey 13.3.1.2
          15 April 2015 at 4:44 pm

          I think it is his coup d’etat as PM. He is lining up a major sponsor for NZ, their emblem will be on our flag, and we will reduce debt and have a surplus.

          New Zealand Flag

          • McFlock 13.3.1.2.1
            15 April 2015 at 5:02 pm

            Hmmm.
            Remember how sweden gave it’s twitter account to a different citizen every day?
            Maybe we could market logo rights to a different company each day, in the space where the Union Jack currently is. 🙂

  14. marty mars 14
    15 April 2015 at 1:12 pm

    On the dues front, Mr Peters’ win was helped by Labour voters. He denied that meant he now owed Labour a favour. Instead, he said Labour’s support was simply payback for his endorsement of Labour’s Te Tai Tokerau candidate, Kelvin Davis, in last year’s election. Mr Davis managed to win the seat from incumbent Hone Harawira. Mr Peters had endorsed Mr Davis because “Hone made a disastrous decision by going with Kim Dotcom”.

    “I didn’t have to do it. It’s the only time I’ve ever done it. We don’t owe anybody a favour at all.”

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11425003

    simply payback means repaying the debt doesn’t it

    at least this might stop the bullshit kelvin did it all himself spin – hold your heads up labour you are just like the gnats – sad bastards

    • Murray Rawshark 14.1
      15 April 2015 at 2:31 pm

      Pretty much par for the course for Winnie. His ego is so huge he is unable to even think of giving credit to anyone else. I actually doubt if his preference for Davis made much difference in Te Tai Tokerau anyway. What worries me most is that his statements have a heap of emphasis on making NAct do things differently. This strengthens the idea that he might actually want some part in the NAct regime.

      Ah well, we knew not to trust him, but he was really the only show in town.

      • marty mars 14.1.1
        15 April 2015 at 2:43 pm

        Winnie understands reciprocation though and so does labour

        • Murray Rawshark 14.1.1.1
          15 April 2015 at 2:47 pm

          True. I certainly don’t think his statement is a positive development.

          • marty mars 14.1.1.1.1
            15 April 2015 at 3:03 pm

            Yep – for winnie, he and labour are back to square, no favours owed either way now that the labour support for him in Northland repaid the davis favour in TTT.

          • Puckish Rogue 14.1.1.1.2
            15 April 2015 at 3:05 pm

            If Winston gets a few more percentage you can bet he’ll be calling the tune and either National or Labour will be dancing to it

            • tracey 14.1.1.1.2.1
              15 April 2015 at 3:13 pm

              ACT’s been wagging National from time to time and no one seems to squeal… Shit we have a super City and charter schools and 3 strikes cos of ACT wagging the dog

              • Puckish Rogue …
                15 April 2015 at 3:52 pm

                Imagine what the Greens could leverage if they went in with National

                • tracey …
                  15 April 2015 at 3:55 pm

                  I think you fundamentally misunderstand how the Greens operate PR. Truly, am not taking the piss. I think you overestimate what National would concede, compared to the 1-2 member ACT “coalitions”. ACT is easy, cos they see it as just the other end of the National Party. It’s the ultimate electoral scam, how to get two parties out of one to maximise house numbers 😉

                  • Puckish Rogue …
                    15 April 2015 at 4:09 pm

                    Seriously you would be surprised how many potential blue green votes are out there

                    Look how many hunters there are in NZ, some of us wouldn’t mind seeing a greater representation by the Greens in parliament

                    But at the moment the Greens are tied for better or worse with Labour…or with what Winston decides

                    • tracey …
                      15 April 2015 at 4:47 pm

                      Seriously, I know. My ACT/National voting brother is one. BUT as long as you all expect Greens to compromise, not National, you are breaking a Greens commitment, to the environment and people first. Greens have proven they can share policies. Compare to National and Labour this week refusing an accord on Housing affordability cos they think it is more important to govern than do what is best for NZers. Sure people mock Green MPs BUT how many have had to resign, or been asked to resign due to bad behaviour and ethics?

      • tracey 14.1.2
        15 April 2015 at 3:12 pm

        ““I didn’t have to do it. It’s the only time I’ve ever done it.”

        Plenty of “i”s in team NZF

  15. Hateatea 15
    15 April 2015 at 1:42 pm

    http://norightturn.blogspot.co.nz/2015/04/a-failure-to-deliver.html

    Anyone who has attempted to obtain funding / support for a child with cognitive delay and / or behavioural issues that impact on their education will attest to the frustrating buck passing that goes on between DHB, GSE and MoE and now we discover that they are not delivering on a specifically funded programme that could be helping children right now.

    If it wouldn’t hurt my elderly brain I would be hitting my head on my desk!

  16. tracey 16
    15 April 2015 at 2:59 pm

    Great talk about why privacy matters by Alessandro Acquisti

    about 15 minutes

  17. tracey 17
    15 April 2015 at 3:28 pm

    God save us all…

    The NZ Initiative is NZ Initiative is researching feminist campaigns around the world. If you go to their About Us, they overlook letting people know that they are the love child of the Business Round Table and New Zealand Institute, those doyens of equity practices.

    “The New Zealand Initiative is a market-oriented thinktank that operates from Wellington, New Zealand. It was formed from the merger in 2012 of the New Zealand Business Roundtable (NZBR) and the New Zealand Institute.[1]

    Following the merger, Oliver Marc Hartwich was appointed executive director of the new organisation, bringing with him a number of fellow researchers from the Australian-based Centre for Independent Studies.” (CIS)

    ”
    Centre for Independent Studies
    Motto Ideas for a better Australia
    Founder(s) Greg Lindsay
    Established 1976
    Focus A “free enterprise economy and a free society under limited government where individuals can prosper and fully develop their talents”.
    Executive Director Greg Lindsay
    Location (33.8246°S 151.1987°ECoordinates: 33.8246°S 151.1987°E)
    Address 38 Oxley St., St Leonards
    New South Wales, Australia
    Website http://www.cis.org.au/

    The Centre for Independent Studies (CIS) is an Australian libertarian think tank. It was founded in 1976 by Greg Lindsay.[1] The CIS focuses on libertarian issues such as free market economics and reducing the size and scope of government. The CIS is endowed by donations, membership subscriptions, and book and event sales. According to the 2014 Global Go To Think Tank Index Report (Think Tanks and Civil Societies Program, University of Pennsylvania), CIS is number 101 (of 150) in the “Top Think Tanks Worldwide” and number 11 (of 60) in the “Top Think Tanks in Southeast Asia and the Pacific.”[2]”

    No women on their Board
    http://nzinitiative.org.nz/About+Us/Board.html

    Their may be Maori on the Board but none identifies as such in their profile

    Staff is more even

    http://nzinitiative.org.nz/About+Us/Staff.html

    No one declares as Maori

    Here’s the membership

    http://nzinitiative.org.nz/About+Us/Membership.html

    Yes, I look forward to their balanced view of modern feminism. You can hear a bit of her here. For my part she seems to not completely understand Feminism based on her comments about wanting to get a job because you are the best not just because you are a woman. I also tihnks she misunderstands what Clinton is saying.

    http://www.3news.co.nz/tvshows/paulhenry/interviews/clinton-should-run-on-her-merits-not-gender#ixzz3XL6VOCgF

    • Paul 17.1
      15 April 2015 at 3:36 pm

      Extreme right wing think tanks.
      Paid for by the 0.001%

    • RedBaronCV 17.2
      15 April 2015 at 8:45 pm

      Time to put a little pressure some of the members to quit. There are the likes of Kiwibank in there and some other businesses that take in large $ from women.
      Subscriptions to this should not be tax deductable

      Frankly at a quick glance some of the proposals are directly against member interests – be careful what you fund

  18. tracey 18
    15 April 2015 at 3:29 pm

    I see TV3 ran a poll…

    Would you

    Watch Paul Henry
    Listen to Paul Henry
    Both

    One answer was glaringly absent from choices.

  19. rawshark-yeshe 19
    15 April 2015 at 3:47 pm

    colour me speechless.

    “Former Northland MP Mike Sabin has been appointed the new general manager of Northland’s luxurious Peppers Carrington Resort.

    A Carrington Resort spokesperson confirmed Mr Sabin was appointed to the role two days ago.

    The resort was recently bought by Chinese company Shanghai CRED for close to $29 million dollars and the new owners are planning to turn the resort into the biggest five star resort in the country, bringing in tens of thousands of Chinese tourists to the Karikari Peninsular each year.

    Mr Sabin’s appointment follows his resignation from Parliament amid what he said was “personal matters that are best resolved outside Parliament”. It came amid claims Sabin was under investigation by police.

    At the moment the resort only has 51 rooms but the new owners want to spend $360 million building 751 rooms.

    A shopping and entertainment centre’s also planned at the resort making it a “one stop” holiday destination.

    “This is going to be the biggest tourist centre in New Zealand by twice,” says Far North Mayor John Carter.

    Despite some opposition, it’s expected to bring jobs and dollars into an area that desperately needs it.

    “If it really works out it could become the Port Douglas of New Zealand,” says economist Oliver Hartwich.”

    http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/embattled-former-mp-mike-sabin-heads-luxurious-golf-resort-6288575

    • tracey 19.1
      15 April 2015 at 4:01 pm

      “economist Oliver Hartwich”

      Now, now, let’s be accurate here

      Dr Oliver Hartwich, Executive Director, The New Zealand Initiative

      This amalgam of Business Round Table and New Zealand Institute
      “We are committed to developing policies that work for all New Zealanders, and we believe that promoting such policies will benefit all of our members as a matter of fact. But we are certainly an Initiative that usually prefers Adam Smith’s invisible hand to government’s visible fist.

      Most of all, though, we believe that our goals and values are similar – if not identical – to what most New Zealanders want to see achieved:”

      Wouldn’t “most New Zealanders” want to see someone under police investigation appointed to a plumb high paying job? I guess his “personal problems” are resolved now?

      “…

      A good education system.

      Affordable housing.

      An open economy.

      A free and democratic society.

      The protection of our natural resources and heritage.

      Sound public finances.

      A stable currency.

      These goals are not business goals. They are not left-wing or right-wing goals. These are public policy objectives that most, if not all, New Zealanders would agree with.“

      • rawshark-yeshe 19.1.1
        15 April 2015 at 4:15 pm

        i strongly suspect the new Chinese owners wouldn’t have a clue about it …. boy, are they in for a few surprises. Keep your investors close and your children closer.

        • Murray Rawshark 19.1.1.1
          15 April 2015 at 4:46 pm

          Someone from Australia could always send them an email. Stranger things have happened.

          • tracey 19.1.1.1.1
            15 April 2015 at 4:48 pm

            Interestingly the economist didnt seem to think it important, financially for the brand that the new GM might have a very serious cloud hanging over his head. That’s Libertarians for ya 😉

          • Murray Rawshark 19.1.1.1.2
            15 April 2015 at 5:40 pm

            An email address: carrington@peppers.co.nz

            I sent this:
            Dear sir/madam
            It was a courageous decision indeed to appoint [redacted] as [redacted]. Hopefully exactly how courageous will become obvious next Monday, the date of his [redacted]. If there is still any justice in Aotearoa, he will lose his [redacted].
            By the way, his [redacted] may have been almost twelve years old. The maximum [redacted] just means they were under 12. They may have even been 11 and a half, which you mustn’t think is really bad. John Key seems to agree with you.
            Yours
            Muzza

            and troll, Nazi, troll to make sure this goes into moderation in case more needs to be redacted.

        • Ergo Robertina 19.1.1.2
          15 April 2015 at 6:21 pm

          Oh for goodness sake, best not to get started again with the odious focus on the ‘children’ in respect of this case.
          If nothing else this surprising development should suggest much of the speculation about the case has been pointless.
          Not to say there aren’t legitimate questions about National’s handling of it but that doesn’t justify potential defamation and unpleasant insinuation.

          • rawshark-yeshe 19.1.1.2.1
            15 April 2015 at 6:40 pm

            maybe go to court and have a listen for yourself Ergo … but of course, you will not be able to to tell any details, exactly the same as the rest of us.

    • Colonial Rawshark 19.3
      15 April 2015 at 4:29 pm

      You have to love how the Tories can organise the smooth, quiet and trouble free exit of MPs whom they want to get rid of. Labour can organise no such positions for its unwanted MPs to move on to. So they don’t.

      • tracey 19.3.1
        15 April 2015 at 4:39 pm

        So does this mean Sabin might not even have had the decency to resign, but was demanding a quid pro quo.

        • Colonial Rawshark 19.3.1.1
          15 April 2015 at 4:47 pm

          Possibly even offered a quid pro quo as opposed to demanding one. Co-operate with us, support our by-election campaign, don’t say anything embarrassing or angry at having to go, and you’ll get this nice $200K pa position a few months down the track which doesn’t even look like a quid pro quo.

          • tracey 19.3.1.1.1
            15 April 2015 at 4:49 pm

            which still would suggest, if true, that he was not wanting to go, or to go quietly…

            • Colonial Rawshark 19.3.1.1.1.1
              15 April 2015 at 5:49 pm

              Well, I’ve only mentioned the carrot side of the equation. The way these things work to motivate people like Sabin is that there is a big stick used as well. Fuck with us, and this [whatever embarrassing communication, email or factoid] gets out into the news, and your family won’t like that one bit will they. And that’ll be the end of any future career. Now just do the smart thing, keep your trap shut, and wait for your nice new corporate job.

              • rawshark-yeshe …
                15 April 2015 at 5:57 pm

                remember the major rumour about the National MPs paid $300k each to move on prior to the last election … I guess that kind of available ‘largesse’ can arrange almost anything at all, especially when nobody is looking very closely, as in MSM for example.

                we have become a banana state, haven’t we ? omg.

    • jenny kirk 19.4
      15 April 2015 at 4:56 pm

      How does that happen ? Who/what has let him off the leash ?

      • tracey 19.4.1
        15 April 2015 at 5:00 pm

        So, he is not expecting to do any prison time is he?

        • rawshark-yeshe 19.4.1.1
          15 April 2015 at 5:46 pm

          something stinks doesn’t it ? Sounds awfully pre-determined somehow and how corrupt is this suggestion ?

          I bet Winston s watching very, very closely and is still trying to get his bill introduced for sexual abuse victims to annul suppression rights for their abuser.

          • alwyn 19.4.1.1.1
            15 April 2015 at 6:42 pm

            If he really wanted to get such a bill introduced he would at least sit down and write one and then put it into the Private Member’s Bill ballot.
            ” trying to get his bill introduced ” my foot.
            Come on then. If you think there is such a bill please tell us where we can find a copy of it. Then we can all be informed of what he is proposing.
            Just a reference to where we can find the bill will be enough.

            • rawshark-yeshe 19.4.1.1.1.1
              15 April 2015 at 6:52 pm

              Best you do your own homework on inthehouse Alwyn. Not sure you and I are even on the same planet, so I’ll leave it to you, if you don’t mind. 🙂

              • alwyn …
                15 April 2015 at 7:05 pm

                But I have been doing my homework old chap/chappess.
                Nothing at all that I have been able to find.

                Given that you appear to be so sure that there is such a bill I’m sure you will be able to tell me where I can find a copy.
                You wouldn’t be talking about “trying to get his bill introduced” if you didn’t know what it said would you?

                Reference please if you are going to claim such a bill exists.

                • rawshark-yeshe …
                  15 April 2015 at 7:23 pm

                  pse refer to 19.4.1.1.1.1

                  life is just too short.

                  • alwyn …
                    16 April 2015 at 9:41 am

                    To express that more accurately you mean that your talk about Winston reintroducing his bill is just rubbish as there is no bill in existence.
                    I guess Abraham Lincoln best described you when he said.
                    “You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you can not fool all of the people all of the time.”
                    You are in the 5% or so of the people who Winston manages to fool all of the time. Luckily the rest of the population are not so silly.

      • Anne 19.4.2
        15 April 2015 at 6:45 pm

        The way he went after months of police investigations and the wording of his resignation statement struck me at the time as ‘convenient’.

        First, he is not the type to make such a statement except under duress. Indeed, it is highly likely the statement was prepared for him and he was instructed when to release it. Second, the fact he was appointed chairperson of the Law and Order select committee two to three months AFTER the police investigation began is hugely suspicious. (Forget the lying crap which came out of Key’s mouth. He knew all about the allegations and the on-going investigations.) So, why did they promote him? Was it a way of keeping Sabin quiet because Sabin knew something and they feared that if they didn’t stand by him he would spill some beans? If so, what did he know?

        This is why Key and co. will never set up an inquiry into the affair – the same reason why they will never set up an inquiry into Dirty Politics. He, along with other National Party so-called luminaries, have a lot of dirty muck on their hands.

        • Anne 19.4.2.1
          15 April 2015 at 7:05 pm

          Ooops, just seen Colonial Rawshark @ 19.3, 19.3.1.1 and….

          He puts it more succintly. 🙂

    • Alpha z 19.5
      15 April 2015 at 4:59 pm

      reckon what cards sabins holding in chest againest BBF flend john carter & sum other higher national peoples. all dirty crims.

    • sabine 19.6
      15 April 2015 at 6:27 pm

      there will be no jobs created in Norhtland if this resort is for chinese by chinese.

      There will be a few jobs created to fulfill a quota, the rest will be chinese students on a workvisa working for a chinese company serving chinese customer. I am sure the company will also find many a loophole so as to avoid paying taxes altogehter.
      however Northland will have to put up with the environmental costs of this resort. WasteWater (toilets need flushing) is just to name one.

      and Mr. Sabin is going to be General Manager. Oh goodie…what could go wrong.

    • RedBaronCV 19.7
      15 April 2015 at 8:52 pm

      Oh dear – this could get really interesting –

      but with Kaitaia airport closed they will have to bus the tourists in pay an overseas owner for accomodation, spend money in the overseas owned gift shop (can’t see them be let out to shop), eat imported food and be tended to by people on work permits. Can’t see much for the locals there really and somehow I think it qwill need more sun to be Port Douglas.

  20. tracey 20
    15 April 2015 at 3:57 pm

    Today I read about a NZ prize winner. It made my heart sing. The people his work will help, the lives it will save, the benefits to the world and NZers is immeasurable. Not only that, I have long wondered “when will someone study the applicability of Multivariate wavelet de-noising applications to intra-day currency trading of the New Zealand dollar.” And now they have.

    The Research required an in-depth knowledge and application of quantitative finance, time series analysis and programming as well as proprietary trading system design, and was documented over 120 page research document. And, a Kiwi won! I know!

    http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1504/S00388/first-new-zealander-to-be-awarded-brooks-memorial-award.htm

    • rawshark-yeshe 20.1
      15 April 2015 at 4:26 pm

      funny that,Tracey … long have I pondered the same issue … truly, I feel safer already.

    • Murray Rawshark 20.2
      15 April 2015 at 5:11 pm

      Wavelet analysis is actually a fairly obvious method to apply to currency trading, as it will show the frequency of trades at certain times of the day. I’d guess that these guys want to use it to predict movements and scam us a bit more. This is always possible when not much is changing in terms of macroeconomics. When a drastic change happens, however, it can be almost useless.

      As an interesting aside, one of the most useless physicists I have ever known claimed to be an expert on wavelet transforms.

      • tracey 20.2.1
        15 April 2015 at 5:12 pm

        Thanks Murray

      • rawshark-yeshe 20.2.2
        15 April 2015 at 5:41 pm

        may I also suggest ‘wavelet transforms’ sounds like something Peter Dunne might be an expert on as well, and he’s one of the most useless politicians we have ever known ! (sorry, it’s been a long day!)

  21. freedom 21
    15 April 2015 at 5:09 pm

    Video has been posted of last night’s Table Talk on the Campbell Live situation

    http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2015/04/15/table-talk-the-ramifications-of-threats-to-campbell-live/

    a very dynamic and worthwhile discussion

  22. Clemgeopin 22
    15 April 2015 at 6:29 pm

    Don’t forget to watch Campbell Live today at 7 pm to help save this worthwhile show.

    Today’s topics include: (from what I gathered approximately from an ad)

    * How corporates are making big money from selling OUR water.
    * How 3 D is changing the life of a kid
    * Zero hour contract interviews with people on the street.

  23. alwyn 23
    15 April 2015 at 6:58 pm

    @clemgeopin
    “How corporates are making big money from selling OUR water.”

    Why does anyone bother to buy bottled water?
    I can understand it in a third world country with dodgy tap water but the water supply in 99% of New Zealand is excellent. Why does anyone except a prat bother to waste their money on the bottled stuff?

    I am reminded of one of Alistair Cooke’s “Letters from America” about 20 years ago.
    The purest water in the whole of the United States was from the reservoir supplying most of New York’s taps. All bottled water was worse.
    http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/5rg7bNq7Zwjm09kT7nRTSS4/bottled-water-15-august-1997
    A wonderful commentator was our Alistair.

    • idlegus 23.1
      15 April 2015 at 8:35 pm

      read ‘no logo’ about branding, surely you know about this stuff? why bottle it unless theres profit in it? bottle it, package it, brand it, sell it, ka-ching!

      • Clemgeopin 23.1.1
        16 April 2015 at 12:27 am

        I hope the opposition parties and the people will oppose and stop this kind of disgraceful crap.

    • Clemgeopin 23.2
      16 April 2015 at 12:25 am

      I am more worried about the lax laws!