How far does New Zealand have to disappear into this orwellian nightmare, before we wake up, and have to claw a way back to something closer to democracy? Let us rid ourselves of overbearing and arrogant state agencies, who openly flout the law, commit forgery and perjury. Then arrogantly defend their abuse of power and demand even more power.
In a case of police perjury and forgery to get a conviction against motorcycle gang members. No police were charged with breaking the law. And a police prosecutor openly argues before our courts, in defence of torture.
Justice Simon France put a halt on more than 150 charges going further in the court system after police were found to have committed a fraud on the courts during the operation.
Police manufactured a fake search warrant, created an invented signature of a court official to back it up, then staged a false arrest of an undercover agent…..
The false search warrant was a “forgery” and obtained through a false oath given to the court, Mr Lithgow said.
“That kind of abuse of process is a humiliation of the justice system.
“That is so abhorrent, that has to be confronted.”
Mr Mander had argued that ruling for a stay of prosecutions was not an option available for Justice France to use…..
One of the judges hearing the case today, Justice Christine French, asked Mr Mander whether, hypothetically, if a police officer was to torture a suspect but that evidence did not make it to a resulting trial, should that trial go ahead.
Mr Mander said if the torture did not affect the trial then the trial should still go ahead. It would not mean the court was endorsing the torture, he said.
I might like to ask officer Mander: In the hypothetical example of police torture. You have argued here, that if the evidence gained under police torture did not make it to the resulting trial. Or was not presented. Then that trial should go ahead. But if evidence of the police torture didn’t come to light, or was denied had happened by the police. How would the courts know if the evidence resulting from that torture had not made it to any trials?
I would disagree with the police officer Mander. In the hypothetical case of police torture raised by Justice French. Officer Mander argues, before Justice French and the two other judges. That the courts would not be “endorsing torture”, if they didn’t, (as they have done in this case of police forgery and perjury), stop the proceedings immediately on discovery of it.
If you allow known police law breaking. The question is how much undiscovered police law breaking is going on?
The courts must express zero tolerance for police perjury and forgery.
“The end justifies the means”
anon.
This is the argument of all terrorists, indeed it is the argument of all authoritarian police states. (including this one).
So GCSB is basically like a Norton antivirus. It’s all Helen Clark’s and Labour’s fault. Everyone is wrong about GCSB except the PM himself.
Uh huh.
Unfuckingbelievable.
What a weasley bully John key is. Won’t answer difficult questions just keeps talking over Campbell and continues on with his used car salesman con. When he does answer questions, he actually doesn’t – does slick sidesteps.
More submissions to the snapper Bill than the GCSB one, means more Kiwis care about the snapper Bill. Really?
The GCSB Bill is more legally complex and not so easy for most Kiwis to comment on formally.
Campbell invited Key on to explain the GCSB bill, which he did very clearly and very well.
When some one is invited onto a show to speak, you let them speak, you don’t bombard them with 20 questions and then interrupt and try to talk over your GUEST every 10 seconds because you’re trying to prove them wrong.
What sort of interviewer does that, obviously a poor one going by what Brian Edwards tweeted.
@JohnJCampbell Raving is not interviewing, John. A graceless and embarrassing performance. This from your greatest fan. Brian
There would be no possible way to interview Key other than to “talk over” him. He has the well learned technique of politicians (and yes, used car salesmen) of talking in a continuous stream of facts and figures. Some of them true and some downright untrue. Key is a master of it – – – glib, persuasive, often laced with ad hominum attack, oblique denigration of the opinions and status of those that might disagree with him.
He can’t get his comeuppence quickly enough for this NZ’er !
Key did bully Campbell-he “played the man” to shake Campbell up. This is classic court room witness procedure to throw someone off their stride.
It’s not about who “won” this interview, it’s about whether Key fronted honestly and answered the questions central to the issue, which he refused to do.
Key is very good at answering questions he is not asked-he had been well coached. The spinmeisters would have trained him on the getting to the studio anecdote.
Key was pumped and primed for the encounter. It was obviously an important one
for him to .. [whatever]. It tells you a lot about where he is coming from.
I’m not sure if you watched the same video I did Carol ?
I don’t like Key at all, but I thought in this instance he politely took Campbell to the cleaners, it was a terrible interview by Campbell live and reminded me of when he tried to ambush Helen all those years ago.
Worse still I think for any people wavering on the GCSB bill this will have them more comfortable with what the government is doing… as I said an unmitigated disaster.
Key was masterful…the “I’ll get to that point in a moment” (then never does) was classic. Key’s opening 60 seconds were the worst, he turned the tide from there.
By the end Campbell was flustered and unable to land any hits. He’d underestimated the form that Key was in, and reading out paragraphs of legislation was not going to engage viewers.
Key on the other hand spoke without notes, was very patient but firm with Campbell, talked from memory, and appeared expert and reassuring.
Yes, after the opening salvo, it felt that Campbell lost confidence in his knowledge of the GCSB, just because John Key delivered such misdirection with confidence.
It’s been a while, but watched the Hardtalk interview recently to someone who hadn’t seen it, and noted how the interviewer did not allow Key to take control, and reminded him that he hadn’t answered questions.
At present, closest I see to that technique is Mihirangi Forbes on Native Affairs.
Geoff
It sounds as if Key was masterful at the spin to the RWNJs at the other end of the tube. And used Campbell’s program to do so very effectively.
I have a tape of Stephen Price’s excellent list of methods to use for pollies who want to avoid answering unsuitable questions. I don’t know if it’s available anywhere. I did once have a look at Replay Radio. I think it is very funny and actually instructive.
Tell me CV, how would you have handled Key if you had been interviewing him?
This angle from Campbell the entire interview:
“This is now an issue of trust, and of transparency. We have seen overseas that authorities have lied to the public about how laws and limitations are actually interpreted, circumvented and used. In NZ intelligence laws have been broken and no one held accountable. So experts say that the new legislation is wholly inadequate.”
But Key responds, pretty much as he did last night — ” No it’s not ! Just you and your programme are lying about it and spreading misinformation etc etc etc etc and you are scaring ordinary New Zealanders”
And Key would have rolled in with his ‘I cant talk about what other countries are doing…” schtick.
The fact is you cant combat someone who is prepared to unblinkingly stand by their barefaced lies.
We’ve seen this time and time again with Key. He never is prepared to admit he lied, if his lie gets properly exposed he just comes in with an excuse that he forgot or some such garbage.
The best that can be done is to show again and again that this is a man who cannot be trusted because he keeps changing his story.
CV.
Key did go back to most of the things he said “I’ll get back to…” but he went back to them in his own time and in his own way. Didnt allow himself to be rushed or pushed. Key explained items very well and when Campbell got pissed with Keys polish and tried to interupt he kept saying “let me finish..” which pissed Campbell off even more.
Very very smooth performance from Key.
Not many on this site would have liked what they saw in that interview. I am happy to ignore the content of the whole segement (because GCSB will be forgotten in a year) and just concentrate on the performance of Key. Rare for Key to really get out of 2nd gear and its a bit of a glimpse of what Key is capable of. Who has Labour got to come close in pre election debates? No one.
Ok I retract that he didn’t go back to KimDotcom but he
also didn’t get back to the supposed threats to NZ which is his supposed main motivation for this bill.
Look that main point is that John Key clearly was not there to properly answer questions and really properly inform people. A person who is trying to do that doesn’t behave the way John Key did. He was playing a stupid game and it was obvious he was playing a stupid game.
And even that completely ignores the context of this story, ie Snowden, the NSA, global diigtal surveillance and NZ’s part in that via the GCSB, the whole shebang.
Key wont even acknowledge that stuff even exists let alone the GCSBs role in it. And why? Why wont he acknowledge it? Because he’s fucking hiding something! And plenty of people think he’s hiding how in the pocket of the USA him and his party is.
Yep, but there is a brighter side…..when I got smacked by Puddles, I looked up her blog and was so impressed by her obvious intelligence in all things that now I just automatically believe everything she says.
I had hopes, but felt that Campbell started off with a hiss and a roar… and then let Key smile his way into using the show as a platform for himself.
Analogies are a VERY useful tool to help understanding, but also to redirect if used skilfully. Key uses them all the time, and needs to be pulled up on them.
When he stated that whether he took a bus, car or walked to the studio it didn’t matter how he did it – as long as he got there – I waited with hope for Campbell to say “… using your analogy, you are saying that if you ran over ten people on the way to the studio it doesn’t matter – because here you are! That is what the concerns of the Law Society, etc seem to be – you are running over our civil liberties and rights to privacy in order to pass this bill.”
… as for Norton antivirus and metadata discussion …. how did Campbell let him get away with that?
“Key could’ve dropped his tweeds at that stage and tea bagged the man”… and since that is your idea of PR skill and competence, your admiration of him condemns him more than Campbell ever could.
Campbell was ambushed by a well-coached and prepped politician who set out to control the interview .. “let me just finish this point ..” “like the Norton antivirus” .. “Ok, ok .. I am just stating the facts .. ” ..”you are frightening people .. you are .. you are” .. “You might as well read a James Bond movie” .. “you have nothing to be worried about” ..
.. analyse the audio – who is he getting media advice from these days ?
I agree with you entirely about the performance of Key BUT where is John Campbell’s skill after years of current affairs?
I spent most of the interview noting the amount of times Campbell could/and should have regained control.
Also thought immediately that the response to NZers don’t care should have been already drafted by Campbell along the lines of:
“Perhaps it is not that Kiwi’s don’t care, PM, it is that after hearing you and your National MP’s arrogantly dismiss the Law Society, the Human Rights Commission, Geoffrey Palmer, Dame Anne Salmond etc they feel that it is a waste of time, and perhaps an exercise in humiliation to broach this subject. Snapper quota interaction – on the other hand – has been actively promoted.”
Near the end I stopped looking at the video and started taking notes. Re. “where is John Campbell’s skill” .. you don’t develop skill when there is no opposition, but Key has just shown the effect of good media training. He was calm and composed and kept taking the initiative to sell his case in language Joe or Jill Voter would use.
Crosby & Textor are probably working with Abbott – who is advising the US Rebublicans or the UK Conservatives these days ? Ashcroft has connections with both & Key’s performance was no fluke. A snap election might be around the corner.
Molly
As you say Campbell is not a newbie. Lots of practice makes perfect yet some new effect has destabilised him?
I was really annoyed at Campbell years ago as he harrassed Helen Clark about what Labour’s plans were for handling the GM entry into agriculture, I think corn was then being discussed. I felt he was trying to force her into saying something that would prove to be incorrect so he and others could continually harrass her about it.
I don’t think John Campbell was nervous. He was furious with frustration on how to stop the garbage pouring out of Key’s mouth. It is obvious that both Steven Joyce and John Key try to talk continuously so that they don’t have to answer specific questions.
I think the answer is to follow up the next night with a dissection of the diatribe, sentence by sentence, using real experts to discredit the inane ideas put forward. State the questions asked, show the deflecting comments (I’ll come back to it later, etc) and to link our situation with the current situation which is between the NSA and congressmen who had to vote without having full information. We need people to understand that we don’t want to end up trying to unwind the type of mess that the US has got itself into. People in NZ are not head over heels with the US now (apart from Dear Leader) and will see the reason why more time and consideration is needed, including a full inquiry into all surveillance before changing the GCSB law.
Campbell was angry. Key used that and ran rings around him. Campbell allowed himself to think he had Key on a hook. His arrogance was on display while Key was allowed a prime time spot to further his agenda.
If you can’t kill the snake then don’t grab it’s tail.
Campbell asked him a lot of good questions and Key squirmed and lied and talked shit and stalled for time. He repeatedly asked Campbell to allow him to finish (which Campbell often did). If Campbell had continually berated him it would have Ken Ring all over again. How the hell you equate that as a win to Key I have no idea.
And Key was too gutless to grab the tail because he knew he’d be sliced up so instead decided to dance around it from forty paces. Says a lot about Key. He’ll do anything to avoid the discussion. Do you think avoiding discussion and avoiding getting to the truth is admirable?
I thought it was obvious to anyone watching that Key was talking crap and avoiding providing real answers. Campbell gave him enough rope to hang himself. That’s as much as an interviewer can actually do. Some of you lot seem to think Campbell should have reached across the desk and shaken Key until he admitted he’s a filthy lying scumbag.
I have taken advantage of the premature government digitization initiative to give it the digit,
save my eyes, and prioritise whatever time I have left on this planet for living rather than passively absorbing the garbage which passes for news or advertising or commentary in NZ.
Campbell not at his singular best on this occasion. In a complex issue so vulnerable to facile minimisation and glib prime ministerial assurance ShonKey Python successfully deployed his customary modus operandi and presented exactly that.
So, rejoice, rejoice, rejoice those relieved not to see ShonKey Python slaughtered. But do recall that there is out there a live question as to ShonKey Python’s integrity and true loyalties and last night did not answer that.
One Campbell Live does not a summer make.
To Brian Edwards’ re his snippy Twitter comment…….get over yourself. The public interest as identified by the Law Society, Palmer, Salmond, Human Rights, Privacy and the rest is immeasurably more commanding than your self-accorded status as professor emeritus of New Zealand television journalism. I’m thinking “Old Fart” akshully.
I used to have a lot of time for Brian Edwards. That was many moons ago. Now he’s a pompous old fart who just wants to assert his superiority in all things. It’s sad to watch.
Yep, when what he actually SAID is dissected, you realise he’s actually crazy but he really believes that the public will swallow all his rubbish! It doesn’t matter how he got here, whether by taxi or bus etc? It’s just like Norton’s anti-virus?? What pot-smoking planet is he on? People need to start LISTENING instead of just watching!!
No, he avoids interviews with Mary Wilson and Kim Hill because they are raving leftie loonies pushing their own agendas. They also have tiny audiences of mostly other committed leftists.
Great to see him taking on the easiest radical leftie target, Campbell, on prime time television. What a boost to Nationals re-election chances!
I wonder if his minders go so far as to insist he only ever be filmed front on. He doesn’t have a very flattering profile at all, and it’s difficult to find profile shots of him. I really do think he is false and manufactured to that extent.
Plus the constant eyebrow lifting – I agree. Still, John Campbell is on every night and can dissect the interview piece by piece, the “performance” won’t play so well in that light I would imagine!
Labor plans to put Tony Abbott’s character at the centre of the election campaign after a third stumble by the Opposition Leader in three days.
Despite having presented Prime Minister Kevin Rudd as a beacon of positive politics, Labor strategists have called game on for an all-out assault on Mr Abbott.
In an interview on Wednesday, Mr Abbott appeared to dismiss same-sex marriage as ”the fashion of the moment”. Finance Minister Penny Wong, who is in a long-term same-sex relationship, tweeted: ”Note to Mr Abbott: Equality is not a fashion item.”
The criticism came after Mr Abbott referred on Tuesday to the ”sex appeal” of the Liberal candidate for Lindsay, Fiona Scott, and a slip of the tongue on Monday when he said no one was ”the suppository of all wisdom”.
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The Labor campaign initially decided against commenting on the sex appeal quip, but Mr Rudd came out swinging on Wednesday, declaring any male employer who stood up in a workplace and praised a female employee’s sex appeal would be ”in serious strife”.
”In modern Australia, neither sexism nor racism nor homophobia has any place whatsoever, and I believe people look to their national leaders to set that sort of example,” Mr Rudd said.
Mr Abbott hit back, calling Labor ”pathetic” for trying to ”raise this sort of thing in an attempt to claw back votes in a campaign they’re losing”.
Oh! The same tactics Gillard employed – that will go down well. Look at how Gillard’s ratings dropped after her “Misogyny” speech. Rudds will head that way (they already are) pretty damn quick if they keep this up.
It would be easier for Labor if Rudd had some character. The old leader, Latham, came out and said you’d have to be drunk to find the Liberal candidate sexy. They’re a bloody train wreck.
Key.. ” i have 1/2 dozen public meetings a day engaging with people” Well, that’s bullshit right from the start. Key’s only public meetings are generally small mobs of pre-pubesent girls at private schools.
A citation for how the Fukushima plants could have been engineered to be safe from tsunamis is now needed, thanks. Then some credible analysis of the risks in the NZ situation, and how those can be engineered to be completely risk free.
Put the Fukushima plant up behind the 1000 year old stone tablets that told the locals not to build anywhere closer to the sea! The sea fucked it not the earthquake.
The report on Fukushima came up with a bunch of causes. Everyone of the causes is considered to be preventable.
“The report on Fukushima came up with a bunch of causes. Everyone of the causes is considered to be preventable.”
Citation please. And make sure the citation shows that the risks can be reduced to zero. Otherwise I will assume that you believe the risk is acceptable and that it doesn’t matter if it happens.
France is almost 100% nuclear – no problems there. Sweden is also heavily into nuclear but it’s plants are getting old and are being systemically shut down. A prudent action by a responsible government.
FRance and Sweden have better oversight, they don’t keep plants going as long and probably make better coices where to build them, although neither France or Sweden are known to be prone to Tsunami.
Tsunami is easy to engineer out, same as earthquakes and a smallish plant in NZ could run at stable load which is a big plus. Biggest issue is as always the variables. People.
Lets just get on with it, save building more pylons up thru the Waikato.
I say we tread carefully here. Let’s wait until the first ten or so have been successfully decommissioned in full overseas and then talk about it again sometime, eh.
Auckland doesn’t use that much power and considering that we need a smart grid to tie in all generation across the country we’d still need the pylons. The only way we wouldn’t is if we went to underground distribution which has nothing to do with building a nuclear power plant.
Care to explain what you mean by “reduced to zero” ?
I know the Gweens are anti science but sheesh even that has limits.
It is possible to engineer a plant that will run for a million years and it could still possibly be hit by a lazer beam from an alien spaceship having a scrap with another alien spaceship. Slim chance but it is possible.
Nice try at a diversion. I asked you if you think the risk of disaster is so small, or if you think it doesn’t matter. You haven’t answered. YOU are the one that made the claim that nuclear power can be engineered to be safe, and I just assumed from the context (eg Fukushima) that you mean pretty close to 100%. Don’t worry so much about alien fantasies, and instead look at risks that already exist in the real world. Please tell us how those can be engineered to not exist.
Until you do, I am going to assume that you think the risk doesn’t matter.
“you said “reduced to zero” and “completely risk free” ”
But I only said that because you said the risks can be engineered out. Still waiting for some evidence that humans can engineer nuclear power plants to be safe from tsunamis (or any other of the currently known risks). But not holding my breath, I’ve asked multiple times now and you’ve failed to give even a hint of something that backs up what you said. It is as I thought, you think the risks don’t matter, and are just making shit up to support that.
If you are asking me if a plant can be engineered and built in New Zealand to be safe within reasonable margins then yes it can.
Actually, no it can’t. NZ is an unstable land mass and it’s not tsunamis that are going to be the problem but the plant being ripped apart by earth movement.
I am a scientist and I work with scientists. Most of us are green to some extent, because it makes sense scientifically.
It’s the business community and right wing politicians who tend to be anti science. DTB is dead right.
“A modern plant can be engineered to be safe.”
no matter what happens on this crazy little ball of chaos as it spins ever-onwards to cosmic annihilation, you have to love the willful yet optimistic ignorance of the human species 🙂
Which is probably exactly what they said when Fukushima was built – something along the lines of “oh no, no chance of a Windscale here, this plant has been engineered to be safe”.
Basically, nuclear power has three main safety issues: fuel, operation, and waste. The first and last are definite issues in NZ given the Rena and other incidents, and the middle on is a definite issue because NZ is located in the “ring of fire” (and, of course, sooner or later the plant will be run under a National government, and staffed by products of charter schools).
There is also an economic issue based around the sheer cost of building and operating such a plant for NZ’s small market.
Cost to build is trivial. All the power is pre sold well in advance. A fraction of the cost of wind. Run the plant at constant load (which they like) and use hydro as peak load.
Stop building ugly noisey expensive wind turbines!
And you ignored every other issue mentioned.
Although I might possibly endorse the building of a nuclear power plant close to its major market, i.e. Auckland. Coastal area with nine volcanoes and multiple fault-lines, what could go wrong…
McFlock.
Sorry not to keep up with your pressing timeframes.
I was forced to do my Saturday long run today as I cant on Saturday, so now I am sore and stuffing my face. 🙂
But thunk on this.
If you can build a factory and turn out widgets that are presold for the next 50 years and the price of manufacture of those widgets is far below any other widget manufacturer in the counry…. would you build that factory?
oh and if I was looking at a place to put it I think alongside the Whangaparoa (sp?) inlet would be the place.
Above Jaffaland, sea not river for cooling, nil chance of Tsunami.
Then we can build a big wall at the Bombay hills and the Jaffas can be independant and leave the rest of us in peace 🙂
No worries, you pulled it out of your arse anyway. Like that “nil chance of Tsunami”.
A nuclear power plant is not a widget factory. It is a fucking expensive investment (and that link is for a reactor that is “less expensive to build than other Generation III designs “) with a massive penalty for failure. They make even the Clyde Dam look cheap.
Maybe one day there will be a nuclear (probably fusion-based) reactor that does not have the massive capital costs or the inherent high-penalty dangers of fuel & waste storage and/or transport, or indeed the high-penalty dangers of natural disaster or human mishap during normal operation. It might even happen in my lifetime. But I doubt it.
Its not how many zeros the number has its about the cost per unit. If the cost per unit is right then the big number is trivial.
David, on nobody’s planet is US$5,000,000,000 “trivial”.
But even if you were correct, “cost to build” is a stupid measure to use against lifetime MW produced: build cost, fuel cost, operating cost, wate management costs, and a buffer in for risk management. And nuclear isn’t competitive.
Wanna tell me how you will get a tsunami up the inlet? tricky me thinks.
Does the tide get up there? Or would a largeish tsunami just go over the top? Is your hydronamic knowledge as good as your calculations of capital costs?
davidc — you do know, don’t you, that what we call Lake Taupo is the biggest volcanic crater of its kind anywhere in the world ? Obviously not in the Waikato, but nature will not care not a jot for your paltry district boundaries if the energy arises !)
yeshe.
I hunt in the Kaimanawas a bit. Its awesome in there to see the side walls of some of the streams where they are cut down fifty meters or more and its all just one big thick white layer of pumice! (with a meter of dirt on top)
If Taupo blows again all of NZ is dead so a nuke plant wont matter much.
What part of tweeking a poor piece of legislation, enacted with wide support in 2002, then exposed as legally dodgy a decade later, being improved with additional and wider oversight yet still being opposed philosophically by the current opposition largely with charges of undue haste, escapes you.
Haste maybe, but will a dodgy threat intent on perpetrating damage on NZ Inc just wait patiently for the current Government to sort its sh*t out or would taking advantage seem an opportunity too good to miss.
Sorry Gravedodger……..after several readings any point you’re making has completely dodged me. Punting, I’ll go with this – you agree with “I disagree……”. No ? Sorry. Maybe I’ve missed a snapper in there somewhere.
citation for that please. I think what you really mean is that a poll of a few hundred people who have been given a specific question shows that most ticked the JK box.
Your original comment was about trust for NACT vs trust for Labour.
No it wasn’t. It was about trust – trust in the GCSB and trust in PMs. Your comment, the one that I responded to, was that John Key was more trusted than any other party leader.
*No one trusted Phil Goff as leader and his anti state owned asset sales campaign ….because he was a Rogernome who sold state assets in a previous Labour Government….Labour people stayed at home because people have long memories…it was too much to swallow
* Now Labour has Shearer….not the will/choice of the Labour Party members….and Shearer looks like he has jetted into some corporation and cant believe his luck!….He hopes he will do a good job but doesn’t sound convinced ….either by what he is saying or how he is saying it….and he sounds like he could quite easily fit into National….
Labour is a mess until they get Cunliffe as a leader!…and then Labour will sock it to John Key and show him up for what he is ….Cunliffe is National’s greatest fear!
Many people no longer support Labour because of their unwillingness to face the reality that New Zealand’s ‘experiment’ with trickle down wealth transfer to the rich over the last thirty years has failed and failed spectacularly. Or to put it another way . .
They are the cocky teenager unable to admit they crashed dad’s car on the weekend. They somehow believe with a bit of paint and some careful lighting that the damage is really not all that obvious. They are right, it’s not, but only if you are still sitting in the car.
Many ex-Labour voters, myself included, have real trouble understanding why Labour cannot admit this reality and just do what needs to be done. Puting Cunliffe in charge is the most obvious action towards doing what is necessary to help save New Zealand.
“their unwillingness to face the reality that New Zealand’s ‘experiment’ with trickle down wealth transfer to the rich over the last thirty years has failed and failed spectacularly.”
Only problem is there is no such experiment.
We have a massive welfare safety net and a highly progressive tax system, wityh most houesholds with an income of less than $50,000 paying no net tax.
The current government is a left wing, progressive government committed to a considerable role in ensuring wellbeing through income redistribution.
“The current government is a left wing, progressive government committed to a considerable role in ensuring wellbeing through income redistribution.”
Srylands, you are a dangerously deluded individual and I hope your minders don’t let you play with scissors. Speaking of playtime, the library logon says mine is almost over but that’s ok, I have some very exciting paintings to return to. I imagine you just have more inanities to vomit onto these pages whilst ignoring the wealth of accurate information numerous people have tried to share with you these past months.
Hopefully it will begin to sink in soon that your shonKey dogma loving platitudes to greed are about as boring as any seen here over recent years, and if I may add, are sadly devoid of the entertainment value more enlightened tr0lls attempt to deliver.
Have a nice day.
p.s. if this is a left wing government,
I hate to think what side of the road you drive on!
“We have a massive welfare safety net and a highly progressive tax system, wityh most houesholds with an income of less than $50,000 paying no net tax.”
Which government minister’s office do you work in?
Less than $50,000 paying no net tax!?
Just because you can say it doesn’t make it true, srylands.
Families are struggling to keep their heads above water in an economy with high unemployment and oligopolies sucking every last cent out of them and you come out with that crap.
“An example is that single-earner two-child families with income less than around $60,000 from wages pay no net income tax. They receive more from Working for Families tax credits than they pay in income tax and ACC.”
““Less than $50,000 paying no net tax!?
Just because you can say it doesn’t make it true, srylands.”
Um no me saying it does not make it true. The data makes it true. I should clarify I am talking about net income tax. I am simply stating the obviouis. The combination of the welfare and income tax system is highly redistributve. There is no “trickle down” experiment. More like gushing down through a government constructed pipe.
God you’re a joke. Typical useless lying right wing crap, cherry picking extreme cases while ignoring the situations that normally occur.
For fucks sakeyou don’t even realise that WFF is a subsidy to NZ businesses so they can pay shittier wages.
It’s impossible to avoid the conclusion that you are simply a complete and utter piece of shit.
Except Srylands you said NET TAX, not net INCOME tax.
Just as you did when we called you on the same bullshit a while ago.
Which is just the sort of lying by omission Key did so well on the Campbell live interview.
Apart from the fact that working for families is a subsidy for employers, who do not pay decent wages, a little arithmetic would show you that the family above would still be net tax positive.
After income tax and ACC which almost pays WFF, they also pay at least 15% of their remaining income in tax, GST, as low income families spend all their income. They do not have enough money to buy shares inpower companies, or have net savings.
On the other hand 178 of the around 300 richest families, the exact figures have disappeared off the IRD website, (Surprise) in NZ, had declared taxable income of less than 70k a year.
As wealthy people use a much higher proportion of tax payer provided resources, they are most definitely tax negative.
Most of the tax is, in fact, paid by PAYE tax payers in the middle percentiles. More than 60% of income tax.
Earn enough to pay PAYE, but not enough to pay a tax accountant.
Don’t we know that yeshe and Chooky! Last night watching the Campbell live interview I had wondered if shonkey had popped an upper before the show. He was alert, focused and calm. 100% A grade spin that fools the fools who vote for him. It put me in mind again of what it will be like during the election debates next year with Shearer, if he is still there heaven forbid.
And y’know, it’s politically important that Shearer speaks at Monday nights GCSB bill meeting at the Ak town hall. Mostly it’s important for him. What I worry about is that he will become unquestionably popular simply for speaking and that people will confuse his opposition to the bill (if that is how he does indeed feel) for ability and begin to support him, and the destabilisation campaign will lose power. We can be real suckers like that. We need a main opposition party that tears the National Government apart with quick wits and intellect.
Cunliffe could have Key in a total fluster in a debate but I fear that if we still have Shearer it will be him who will be in a total fluster.
“Cunliffe could have Key in a total fluster in a debate but I fear that if we still have Shearer it will be him who will be in a total fluster.”
I totally agree. The only problem with Cunliffe is that he comes across as arrogant and thinking he’s superior to everyone. The way he treats the media is a good example, as well as the last group he needs to be treating like this. He’s sharp and has the smarts to deal to Key like nobody else currently within Labour. He just needs to lose that arrogant streak and he could do wonders. And if he doesn’t but becomes leader nonetheless then Labour just ends up with the same problem it has now: a leader people can’t relate to.
I have a different view of him, having only had one conversation with him. But I found him personable, direct, and mercifully without that ghastly, “working the room” quality.
My cousin knows David Cunliffe very well through the party , and finds him very friendly and personable and not arrogant or superior at all. Just another story spread by the ABC gang.
Mary, stop repeating the stupid baseless crap formulated by Grant and Trevor and repeated ad nauseam by their acolytes along the corridor.
Cunliffe is highly respected by the leading Public Servants who have worked with him in Government and in Opposition.
Cunliffe is highly respected by the interest/industry/lobby groups who have worked with him in Government and in Opposition.
Cunliffe is highly respected by the Labour people who heard him during the Nov’11 Leadership debates. To our cost and shame the Membership were ignored by the losers in Caucus.
Cunliffe is loved by the voters of West Auckland who dumped a Nat for him (Titirangi) and who give him 5,000 votes more that they gave Labour under the ABCs (New Lynn).
I have never noticed any arrogance in Cunliffe. I have noticed it in Goff, Hipkins, Mallard, and King. I can’t for the life of me see where that idea comes from. Even on his Facebook page, he actually interacts with people.
But the problem with your Man Cunliffe is a large portion of the Larbour MPs hate his guts. So until there is a cleanout of the old gaurd Labour (and silent T) are screwed.
I blame Helen for this farce. She could of/should of done the deed.
You cant blame Helen for the present Roger caucus!…..she kept the Labour ship afloat and only just I would think….that was sufficient and a magnificent feat in itself !……with that motley crew of pirates breathing down her neck…. watching and waiting
I can and I do.
Helen should have told a dozen of the old drones to f**k off and not come back 5 years ago after they dropped the 08 election. Perfect timing. You guys would not be in this mess now if she had.
Is ‘absolutely’ the most over-used word in the new, in, buzzwords list? Absolutely! I am absolutely sick of hearing it. A simple yes without extra emphasis is usually quite sufficient to indicate agreement.
Yes it is, it has been overused for about the last ten years. You have to agree, it sounds all knowing when someone is giving bull shit. Keep an eye out for the bullshitters and notice how they use “absolutely” Absolutely
Fear not. The Feeds on the right currently have parts of them turned off. We’ve been having high CPU at the server since the weekend. I’m testing the new parts of the system to determine where it is coming from.
The current suspicion is focused on the thumbnail images in the feed. And that looks like being the winner.
LightBox. There is a method behind the madness, and it has to do with the other behaviours already available. What you are requesting is already available – these are standard browser behaviours.
In Chrome on Linux, on the link…
Shift-Click will open the link in a a new browser window.
Ctrl-Shift-Click will open the link in a a new browser tab.
Right-click gives a context menu with “open in new tab”, “open in new window”, and “open in incognito window” as well as several other actions.
Tablets should have “hold finger down in link” to pop up the context menu (works fine in chrome on Nexus 7 – android 4.2.2). That gives me “Open in new tab”, “Open in incognito tab” and a few other options.
Now why it is different from any of these. It is the expectation about what the Feed is used for – mostly fast quick glancing..
The default action on the Click on the link would normally be to “open in this tab”. Now while that would be good for our page views as people go back and forth (depending on how the browser caches), it makes everything quite a lot slower for doing the page renders when you come back.
That incidentally, is why the the default behaviour for links clicked in the posts or comments is to “open in new tab”. Most people will read the link in the new tab and then kill the tab to go back to TS – without suffering a render delay.
I could “open in new tab” rather than a LightBox. But this really the Feed is meant to mostly give you an idea of what is in other sites rather than give you more tabs. I seem to wind up with at least 20 open most of the time with work browsing, personal browsing, mail, trac, svn, TS admin pages etc etc…
By putting it into a lightbox it makes it easier to have a faster deeper peek than the excerpt, provides a action that isn’t in the context menu, and helps with the “glance at that”, close, “glance at the next interesting one” that the Feed is meant to foster.
The place where it is a pain is if you’re on a tablet and you don’t have good context menus – ie safari on a iPad (and I think Chrome is like that on iPads too).recently.
Personally I’d like to just add a button to the LightBox to “open in new tab” that closes the light box and opens up the site with a wider drill down. I’d actually like to do that on the links inside the site as well.
Don’t confuse popularity with trust offered up as the wages of integrity. History generally forgets cheap current popularity and tells a very different story as to substance. To wit……..Muldoon. Even the National Party dismisses him. Any fool knows that a huge input to the preferred prime minister polls is the glitter sprinkled on the turd of incumbency.
Fortunately stench bests glitter. Problem is that much may be corrupted in the interim.
Schrillands families pay more gst because they spend all their money on food clothing electricity education housing transport!
Then their children grow up unlike you and become taxpayers!
Australia like you have been misleading pays far more in family supports than NZ.
Schrillands trying to pull the wool again 47% ters Romney style aye sheep shagger schrill!
Been a few months since the last privacy fuckup? Time for another.
An ACC case manager hand-wrote detailed notes on 35 to 125 ACC clients (including bank account info), took the notebook home (wtf? A notebook?) from where it was promptly stolen. Oh, and Key’s response was to bullshit with “It’s probably…” and come up with a reasonable excuse.
Hell, it might have been anything on a scale from nefarious through careless into merely unlucky, but it was nice to see the bullshitter be completely relaxed about making shit up yet again.
“I was faced with the choice of watching it suffer or putting it to sleep quietly… it was very difficult,” he told Democracy Now. “I had to pick between the lesser of two evils.”
What was that other choice? “Unfortunately, I can’t talk about that,” Levison said during today’s interview. “I would like to, believe me. I think that if the American people knew what our government was doing, they wouldn’t be allowed to do it anymore. My hope is that the media can uncover what’s going on without my assistance” and pressure Congress, he said. Together with Lavabit’s own efforts working through the court system, he hopes it can “put a cap on what the government is entitled to in terms of our private communications.”
After a hiatus of over four months Selwyn Manning and I finally got it together to re-start the “A View from Afar” podcast series. We shall see how we go but aim to do 2 episodes per month if possible. … Continue reading → ...
In 2008, the UK Parliament passed the Climate Change Act 2008. The law established a system of targets, budgets, and plans, with inbuilt accountability mechanisms; the aim was to break the cycle of empty promises and replace it with actual progress towards emissions reduction. The law was passed with near-universal ...
Buzz from the Beehive Local Water Done Well – let’s be blunt – is a silly name, but the first big initiative to put it into practice has gone done well. This success is reflected in the headline on an RNZ report:District mayors welcome Auckland’s new water deal with ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate ConnectionsA farmworker cleans the solar panels of a solar water pump in the village of Jagadhri, Haryana Country, India. (Photo credit: Prashanth Vishwanathan/ IWMI) Decisions made in India over the next few years will play a key role in global ...
Lindsay Mitchell writes – The Children’s Minister, Karen Chhour, intends to repeal Section 7AA from the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989 because it creates conflict between claimed Crown Treaty obligations and the child’s best interests. In her words, “Oranga Tamariki’s governing principles and its act should be colour ...
Geoffrey Miller writes – The gloves are off. That might seem to be the undertone of surprisingly tough talk from New Zealand’s foreign and trade ministers. Winston Peters, the foreign minister, may be facing legal action after making allegations about former Australian foreign minister Bob Carr on Radio New Zealand. ...
Brian Easton writes – This is about the time that the Treasury will be locking up its economic forecasts to be published in the 2024 Budget Economic and Fiscal Update (BEFU) on budget day, 30 May. I am not privy to what they will be (I will report on them ...
TL;DR:Winston Peters is reported to have won a budget increase for MFAT. David Seymour wanted his Ministry of Regulation to be three times bigger than the Productivity Commission. Simeon Brown is appointing a Crown Monitor to Watercare to protect the Claytons Crown Guarantee he had to give ratings agencies ...
The gloves are off. That might seem to be the undertone of surprisingly tough talk from New Zealand’s foreign and trade ministers. Winston Peters, the foreign minister, may be facing legal action after making allegations about former Australian foreign minister Bob Carr on Radio New Zealand. Carr had made highly ...
I could be a florist'Round the corner from Rye LaneI'll be giving daisies to craziesBut, baby, I'll wrap you up real safe Oh, I can give you flowers At the end of every dayFor the center of your table, a rainbowIn case you have people 'round to stay Depending on ...
TL;DR: The six key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to May 12 include:PM Christopher Luxon is scheduled to hold a post-Cabinet news conference at 4 pm today. Finance Minister Nicola Willis will give a pre-budget speech on Thursday.Parliament sits from Question Time at 2pm on ...
The price of the foreign affairs “reset” is now becoming apparent, with Defence set to get a funding boost in the Budget. Finance Minister Nicola Willis has confirmed that it will be one of the few votes, apart from Health and Education and possibly Police, which will get an increase ...
A listing of 26 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 28, 2024 thru Sat, May 4, 2024. Story of the week "It’s straight out of Big Tobacco’s playbook. In fact, research by John Cook and his colleagues ...
Yesterday I received come lovely feedback following my Star Wars themed newsletter. A few people mentioned they’d enjoyed reading the personal part at the beginning.I often begin newsletters with some memories, or general thoughts, before commencing the main topic. This hopefully sets the mood and provides some context in which ...
April 30 was going to be the day we’d be calling Mum from London to wish her a happy birthday. Then it became the day we would be going to St. Paul's at Evensong to remember her. The aim of the cathedral builders was to find a way to make their ...
Rob MacCulloch writes – Can’t remember the last book by a Kiwi author you read? Think the NZ government should spend less on the arts in favor of helping the homeless? If so, as far as Newsroom is concerned, you probably deserve to be called a cultural ignoramus ...
Eric Crampton writes – Grudges are bad. Better to move on. But it can be fun to keep a couple of really trivial ones, so you’re not tempted to have other ones. For example, because of the rootkit fiasco of 2005, no Sony products in our household. ...
A new report warns an estimated third of the adult population have unmet need for health care.Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāHere’s the six key things I learned about Aotaroa’s political economy this week around housing, climate and poverty:Politics - Three opinion polls confirmed support for PM Christopher Luxon ...
Today is May the fourth. Which was just a regular day when my mother took me to see the newly released Star Wars at the Odeon in Rotorua. The queue was right around the corner. Some years later this day became known as Star Wars Day, the date being a ...
Buzz from the Beehive Much more media attention is being paid to something Winston Peters said about former Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr than to a speech he delivered to the New Zealand China Council. One word is missing from the speech: AUKUS. But AUKUS loomed large in his considerations ...
Is the economy in another long stagnation? If so, why?This is about the time that the Treasury will be locking up its economic forecasts to be published in the 2024 Budget Economic and Fiscal Update (BEFU) on budget day, 30 May. I am not privy to what they will be ...
The annual list of who's been bribing our politicians is out, and journalists will no doubt be poring over it to find the juiciest and dirtiest bribes. The government's fast-track invite list is likely to be a particular focus, and we already know of one company on the list which ...
In the weeks after the October 7 Hamas attacks on Southern Israel I wrote about the possible 2nd, 3rd and even 4th order effects of the conflict. These included new fronts being opened in the West Bank (with Hamas), Golan … Continue reading → ...
Peter Dunne writes – It is one of the oldest truisms that there is never a good time for MPs to get a pay rise. This week’s announcement of pay raises of around 2.8% backdated to last October could hardly have come at a worse time, with the ...
David Farrar writes – Newshub reports: Newshub can reveal a fresh allegation of intimidation against Green MP Julie-Anne Genter. Genter is subject to a disciplinary process for aggressively waving a book in the face of National Minister Matt Doocey in the House – but it’s not the first time ...
The Treasury has published a paper today on the global productivity slowdown and how it is playing out in New Zealand: The productivity slowdown: implications for the Treasury’s forecasts and projections. The Treasury Paper examines recent trends in productivity and the potential drivers of the slowdown. Productivity for the whole economy ...
Winston Peters’ comments about former Australian foreign minister look set to be an ongoing headache for both him and Luxon. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The podcast above of the weekly ‘hoon’ webinar for subscribers features co-hosts and , along with regular guests on Gaza and ...
These puppet strings don't pull themselvesYou're thinking thoughts from someone elseHow much time do you think you have?Are you prepared for what comes next?The debating chamber can be a trying place for an opposition MP. What with the person in charge, the speaker, typically being an MP from the governing ...
The land around Lyme Regis, where Meryl Streep once stood, in a hood, on the Cobb, is falling into the sea.MerylThe land around Lyme Regis, around the Cobb that made it rich, has always been falling slowly but surely into the sea. Read more ...
Buzz from the Beehive Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters was bound to win headlines when he set out his thinking about AUKUS in his speech to the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. The headlines became bigger when – during an interview on RNZ’s Morning Report today – he criticised ...
The Post reports on how the government is refusing to release its advice on its corrupt Muldoonist fast-track law, instead using the "soon to be publicly available" refusal ground to hide it until after select committee submissions on the bill have closed. Fast-track Minister Chris Bishop's excuse? “It's not ...
As pressure on it grows, the livestock industry’s approach to the transition to Net Zero is increasingly being compared to that of fossil fuel interests. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / Getty ImagesTL;DR: Here’s the top five news items of note in climate news for Aotearoa-NZ this week, and a discussion above ...
The New Zealand Herald reports – Stats NZ has offered a voluntary redundancy scheme to all of its workers as a way to give staff some control over their “future” amidst widespread job losses in the public sector. In an update to staff this morning, seen by the Herald, Statistics New Zealand ...
On Werewolf/Scoop, I usually do two long form political columns a week. From now on, there will be an extra column each week about music and movies. But first, some late-breaking political events:The rise in unemployment numbers for the March quarter was bigger than expected – and especially sharp ...
David Farrar writes – The Herald reports: TVNZ says it is dealing with about 50 formal complaints over its coverage of the latest 1News-Verian political poll, with some viewers – as well as the Prime Minister and a former senior Labour MP – critical of the tone of the 6pm report. ...
Muriel Newman writes – When Meridian Energy was seeking resource consents for a West Coast hydro dam proposal in 2010, local Maori “strenuously” objected, claiming their mana was inextricably linked to ‘their’ river and could be damaged. After receiving a financial payment from the company, however, the Ngai Tahu ...
Alwyn Poole writes – “An SEP,’ he said, ‘is something that we can’t see, or don’t see, or our brain doesn’t let us see, because we think that it’s somebody else’s problem. That’s what SEP means. Somebody Else’s Problem. The brain just edits it out, it’s like a ...
Our trust in our political institutions is fast eroding, according to a Maxim Institute discussion paper, Shaky Foundations: Why our democracy needs trust. The paper – released today – raises concerns about declining trust in New Zealand’s political institutions and democratic processes, and the role that the overuse of Parliamentary urgency ...
This article was prepared for publication yesterday. More ministerial announcements have been posted on the government’s official website since it was written. We will report on these later today …. Buzz from the BeehiveThere we were, thinking the environment is in trouble, when along came Jones. Shane Jones. ...
New Zealand now has the fourth most depressed construction sector in the world behind China, Qatar and Hong Kong. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy at 8:46am on Thursday, May 2:The Lead: ...
Hi,I am just going to state something very obvious: American police are fucking crazy.That was a photo gracing the New York Times this morning, showing New York City police “entering Columbia University last night after receiving a request from the school.”Apparently in America, protesting the deaths of tens of thousands ...
Winston Peters’ much anticipated foreign policy speech last night was a work of two halves. Much of it was a standard “boilerplate” Foreign Ministry overview of the state of the world. There was some hardening up of rhetoric with talk of “benign” becoming “malign” and old truths giving way to ...
Graham Adams assesses the fallout of the Cass Review — The press release last Thursday from the UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls didn’t make the mainstream news in New Zealand but it really should have. The startling title of Reem Alsalem’s statement — “Implementation of ‘Cass ...
This open-for-business, under-new-management cliché-pockmarked government of Christopher Luxon is not the thing of beauty he imagines it to be. It is not the powerful expression of the will of the people that he asserts it to be. It is not a soaring eagle, it is a malodorous vulture. This newest poll should make ...
The latest labour market statistics, showing a rise in unemployment. There are now 134,000 unemployed - 14,000 more than when the National government took office. Which is I guess what happens when the Reserve Bank causes a recession in an effort to Keep Wages Low. The previous government saw a ...
Three opinion polls have been released in the last two days, all showing that the new government is failing to hold their popular support. The usual honeymoon experienced during the first year of a first term government is entirely absent. The political mood is still gloomy and discontented, mainly due ...
National's Finance Minister once met a poor person.A scornful interview with National's finance guru who knows next to nothing about economics or people.There might have been something a bit familiar if that was the headline I’d gone with today. It would of course have been in tribute to the article ...
Rob MacCulloch writes – Throughout the pandemic, the new Vice-Chancellor-of-Otago-University-on-$629,000 per annum-Can-you-believe-it-and-Former-Finance-Minister Grant Robertson repeated the mantra over and over that he saved “lives and livelihoods”.As we update how this claim is faring over the course of time, the facts are increasingly speaking differently. NZ ...
Chris Trotter writes – IT’S A COMMONPLACE of political speeches, especially those delivered in acknowledgement of electoral victory: “We’ll govern for all New Zealanders.” On the face of it, the pledge is a strange one. Why would any political leader govern in ways that advantaged the huge ...
Bryce Edwards writes – The list of former National Party Ministers being given plum and important roles got longer this week with the appointment of former Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett as the chair of Pharmac. The Christopher Luxon-led Government has now made key appointments to Bill ...
TL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy at 10:06am on Wednesday, May 1:The Lead: Business confidence fell across the board in April, falling in some areas to levels last seen during the lockdowns because of a collapse in ...
Over the past 36 hours, Christopher Luxon has been dong his best to portray the centre-right’s plummeting poll numbers as a mark of virtue. Allegedly, the negative verdicts are the result of hard economic times, and of a government bravely set out on a perilous rescue mission from which not ...
Auckland Transport have started rolling out new HOP card readers around the network and over the next three months, all of them on buses, at train stations and ferry wharves will be replaced. The change itself is not that remarkable, with the new readers looking similar to what is already ...
Completed reads for April: The Difference Engine, by William Gibson and Bruce Sterling Carnival of Saints, by George Herman The Snow Spider, by Jenny Nimmo Emlyn’s Moon, by Jenny Nimmo The Chestnut Soldier, by Jenny Nimmo Death Comes As the End, by Agatha Christie Lord of the Flies, by ...
On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
Have a story to share about St Paul’s, but today just picturesPopular novels written at this desk by a young man who managed to bootstrap himself out of father’s imprisonment and his own young life in a workhouse Read more ...
The list of former National Party Ministers being given plum and important roles got longer this week with the appointment of former Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett as the chair of Pharmac. The Christopher Luxon-led Government has now made key appointments to Bill English, Simon Bridges, Steven Joyce, Roger Sowry, ...
Newsroom has a story today about National's (fortunately failed) effort to disestablish the newly-created Inspector-General of Defence. The creation of this agency was the key recommendation of the Inquiry into Operation Burnham, and a vital means of restoring credibility and social licence to an agency which had been caught lying ...
Holding On To The Present:The moment a political movement arises that attacks the whole idea of social progress, and announces its intention to wind back the hands of History’s clock, then democracy, along with its unwritten rules, is in mortal danger.IT’S A COMMONPLACE of political speeches, especially those delivered in ...
Stuck In The Middle With You:As Christopher Luxon feels the hot breath of Act’s and NZ First’s extremists on the back of his neck and, as he reckons with the damage their policies are already inflicting upon a country he’s described as “fragile”, is there not some merit in reaching out ...
The unpopular coalition government is currently rushing to repeal section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act. The clause is Oranga Tamariki's Treaty clause, and was inserted after its systematic stealing of Māori children became a public scandal and resulted in physical resistance to further abductions. The clause created clear obligations ...
Buzz from the Beehive The government’s official website – which Point of Order monitors daily – not for the first time has nothing much to say today about political happenings that are grabbing media headlines. It makes no mention of the latest 1News-Verian poll, for example. This shows National down ...
It Takes A Train To Cry:Surely, there is nothing lonelier in all this world than the long wail of a distant steam locomotive on a cold Winter’s night.AS A CHILD, I would lie awake in my grandfather’s house and listen to the traffic. The big wooden house was only a ...
Packing A Punch: The election of the present government, including in its ranks politicians dedicated to reasserting the rights of the legislature in shaping and determining the future of Māori and Pakeha in New Zealand, should have alerted the judiciary – including its anomalous appendage, the Waitangi Tribunal – that its ...
Dead Woman Walking: New Zealand’s media industry had been moving steadily towards disaster for all the years Melissa Lee had been National’s media and communications policy spokesperson, and yet, when the crisis finally broke, on her watch, she had nothing intelligent to offer. Christopher Luxon is a patient man - but he’s not ...
Chris Trotter writes – New Zealand politics is remarkably easy-going: dangerously so, one might even say. With the notable exception of John Key’s flat ruling-out of the NZ First Party in 2008, all parties capable of clearing MMP’s five-percent threshold, or winning one or more electorate seats, tend ...
Ministers must front up about which projects it will push through under its Fast Track Approvals legislation, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
The Government is again adding to New Zealand’s growing unemployment, this time cutting jobs at the agencies responsible for urban development and growing much needed housing stock. ...
With Minister Karen Chhour indicating in the House today that she either doesn’t know or care about the frontline cuts she’s making to Oranga Tamariki, we risk seeing more and more of our children falling through the cracks. ...
The Labour Party is saddened to learn of the death of Sir Robert Martin, a globally renowned disability advocate who led the way for disability rights both in New Zealand and internationally. ...
Labour is calling for the Government to urgently rethink its coalition commitment to restart live animal exports, Labour animal welfare spokesperson Rachel Boyack said. ...
Today’s Financial Stability Report has once again highlighted that poverty and deep inequality are political choices - and this Government is choosing to make them worse. ...
The Green Party is calling on the Government to do more for our households in most need as unemployment rises and the cost of living crisis endures. ...
Unemployment is on the rise and it’s only going to get worse under this Government, Labour finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds said. Stats NZ figures show the unemployment rate grew to 4.3 percent in the March quarter from 4 percent in the December quarter. “This is the second rise in unemployment ...
The New Zealand Labour Party welcomes the entering into force of the European Union and New Zealand free trade agreement. This agreement opens the door for a huge increase in trade opportunities with a market of 450 million people who are high value discerning consumers of New Zealand goods and ...
The National-led Government continues its fiscal jiggery pokery with its Pharmac announcement today, Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall says. “The government has increased Pharmac funding but conceded it will only make minimal increases in access to medicine”, said Ayesha Verrall “This is far from the bold promises made to fund ...
This afternoon’s interim Waitangi Tribunal report must be taken seriously as it affects our most vulnerable children, Labour children’s spokesperson Willow-Jean Prime. ...
Te Pāti Māori are demanding the New Zealand Government support an international independent investigation into mass graves that have been uncovered at two hospitals on the Gaza strip, following weeks of assault by Israeli troops. Among the 392 bodies that have been recovered, are children and elderly civilians. Many of ...
Our two-tiered system for veterans’ support is out of step with our closest partners, and all parties in Parliament should work together to fix it, Labour veterans’ affairs spokesperson Greg O’Connor said. ...
Stripping two Ministers of their portfolios just six months into the job shows Christopher Luxon’s management style is lacking, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...
Tonight’s court decision to overturn the summons of the Children’s Minister has enabled the Crown to continue making decisions about Māori without evidence, says Te Pāti Māori spokesperson for Children, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi. “The judicial system has this evening told the nation that this government can do whatever they want when ...
It appears Nicola Willis is about to pull the rug out from under the feet of local communities still dealing with the aftermath of last year’s severe weather, and local councils relying on funding to build back from these disasters. ...
The Government is making short-sighted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that will take away environmental protection in favour of short-term profits, Labour’s environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
Labour welcomes the release of the report into the North Island weather events and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that New Zealand is as prepared as it can be for the next natural disaster. ...
The Labour Party has called for the New Zealand Government to recognise Palestine, as a material step towards progressing the two-State solution needed to achieve a lasting peace in the region. ...
Some of our country’s most important work, stopping the sexual exploitation of children and violent extremism could go along with staff on the frontline at ports and airports. ...
The Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a ‘get out of jail free’ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
The government's decision to reintroduce Three Strikes is a destructive and ineffective piece of law-making that will only exacerbate an inherently biased and racist criminal justice system, said Te Pāti Māori Justice Spokesperson, Tākuta Ferris, today. During the time Three Strikes was in place in Aotearoa, Māori and Pasifika received ...
Cuts to frontline hospital staff are not only a broken election promise, it shows the reckless tax cuts have well and truly hit the frontline of the health system, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
Te Pāti Māori is disgusted at the confirmation that hundreds are set to lose their jobs at Oranga Tamariki, and the disestablishment of the Treaty Response Unit. “This act of absolute carelessness and out of touch decision making is committing tamariki to state abuse.” Said Te Pāti Māori Oranga Tamariki ...
New Zealand Sign Language Week is an excellent opportunity for all Kiwis to give the language a go, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. This week (May 6 to 12) is New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) Week. The theme is “an Aotearoa where anyone can sign anywhere” and aims to ...
Six tertiary students have been selected to work on NASA projects in the US through a New Zealand Space Scholarship, Space Minister Judith Collins announced today. “This is a fantastic opportunity for these talented students. They will undertake internships at NASA’s Ames Research Center or its Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), where ...
New Zealanders will be safer because of a $1.9 billion investment in more frontline Corrections officers, more support for offenders to turn away from crime, and more prison capacity, Corrections Minister Mark Mitchell says. “Our Government said we would crack down on crime. We promised to restore law and order, ...
The OECD’s latest report on New Zealand reinforces the importance of bringing Government spending under control, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The OECD conducts country surveys every two years to review its members’ economic policies. The 2024 New Zealand survey was presented in Wellington today by OECD Chief Economist Clare Lombardelli. ...
The Government has delivered on its election promise to provide a financially sustainable model for Auckland under its Local Water Done Well plan. The plan, which has been unanimously endorsed by Auckland Council’s Governing Body, will see Aucklanders avoid the previously projected 25.8 per cent water rates increases while retaining ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters discussed the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and enhanced cooperation in the Pacific with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock during her first official visit to New Zealand today. "New Zealand and Germany enjoy shared interests and values, including the rule of law, democracy, respect for the international system ...
The Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, Chris Bishop today released his decision on four recommendations referred to him by the Western Bay of Plenty District Council, opening the door to housing growth in the area. The Council’s Plan Change 92 allows more homes to be built in existing and new ...
Thank you, John McKinnon and the New Zealand China Council for the invitation to speak to you today. Thank you too, all members of the China Council. Your effort has played an essential role in helping to build, shape, and grow a balanced and resilient relationship between our two ...
The Government is modernising insurance law to better protect Kiwis and provide security in the event of a disaster, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly announced today. “These reforms are long overdue. New Zealand’s insurance law is complicated and dated, some of which is more than 100 years old. ...
The coalition Government is refreshing its approach to supporting pay equity claims as time-limited funding for the Pay Equity Taskforce comes to an end, Public Service Minister Nicola Willis says. “Three years ago, the then-government introduced changes to the Equal Pay Act to support pay equity bargaining. The changes were ...
Structured literacy will change the way New Zealand children learn to read - improving achievement and setting students up for success, Education Minister Erica Stanford says. “Being able to read and write is a fundamental life skill that too many young people are missing out on. Recent data shows that ...
Trade Minister Todd McClay says Canada’s refusal to comply in full with a CPTPP trade dispute ruling in our favour over dairy trade is cynical and New Zealand has no intention of backing down. Mr McClay said he has asked for urgent legal advice in respect of our ‘next move’ ...
The rights of our children and young people will be enhanced by changes the coalition Government will make to strengthen oversight of the Oranga Tamariki system, including restoring a single Children’s Commissioner. “The Government is committed to delivering better public services that care for our most at-risk young people and ...
The Government is making it easier for minor changes to be made to a building consent so building a home is easier and more affordable, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “The coalition Government is focused on making it easier and cheaper to build homes so we can ...
New Zealand lost a true legend when internationally renowned disability advocate Sir Robert Martin (KNZM) passed away at his home in Whanganui last night, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. “Our Government’s thoughts are with his wife Lynda, family and community, those he has worked with, the disability community in ...
Good evening – Before discussing the challenges and opportunities facing New Zealand’s foreign policy, we’d like to first acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. You have contributed to debates about New Zealand foreign policy over a long period of time, and we thank you for hosting us. ...
From today, passengers travelling internationally from Auckland Airport will be able to keep laptops and liquids in their carry-on bags for security screening thanks to new technology, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Creating a more efficient and seamless travel experience is important for holidaymakers and businesses, enabling faster movement through ...
People with an interest in the health of Northland’s marine ecosystems are invited to a public meeting to discuss how to deal with kina barrens, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones will lead the discussion, which will take place on Friday, 10 May, at Awanui Hotel in ...
Kiwi exporters are $100 million better off today with the NZ EU FTA entering into force says Trade Minister Todd McClay. “This is all part of our plan to grow the economy. New Zealand's prosperity depends on international trade, making up 60 per cent of the country’s total economic activity. ...
There are heartening signs that the extractive sector is once again becoming an attractive prospect for investors and a source of economic prosperity for New Zealand, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The beginnings of a resurgence in extractive industries are apparent in media reports of the sector in the past ...
The return of the historic Ō-Rākau battle site to the descendants of those who fought there moved one step closer today with the first reading of Te Pire mō Ō-Rākau, Te Pae o Maumahara / The Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill. The Bill will entrust the 9.7-hectare battle site, five kilometres west ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has announced 25 new high-speed EV charging hubs along key routes between major urban centres and outlined the Government’s plan to supercharge New Zealand’s EV infrastructure. The hubs will each have several chargers and be capable of charging at least four – and up to 10 ...
The coalition Government will not proceed with the previous Government’s plans to regulate residential property managers, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “I have written to the Chairperson of the Social Services and Community Committee to inform him that the Government does not intend to support the Residential Property Managers Bill ...
The Government has announced an independent review into the disability support system funded by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha. Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston says the review will look at what can be done to strengthen the long-term sustainability of Disability Support Services to provide disabled people and ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has attended the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva and outlined the Government’s plan to restore law and order. “Speaking to the United Nations Human Rights Council provided us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while responding to issues and ...
The Government and Rotorua Lakes Council are committed to working closely together to end the use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua. Associate Minister of Housing (Social Housing) Tama Potaka says the Government remains committed to ending the long-term use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua by the ...
Trade Minister Todd McClay heads overseas today for high-level trade talks in the Gulf region, and a key OECD meeting in Paris. Mr McClay will travel to Riyadh to meet with counterparts from Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). “New Zealand’s goods and services exports to the Gulf region ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford has outlined six education priorities to deliver a world-leading education system that sets Kiwi kids up for future success. “I’m putting ambition, achievement and outcomes at the heart of our education system. I want every child to be inspired and engaged in their learning so they ...
The new NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) App is a secure ‘one stop shop’ to provide the services drivers need, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Digitising Government Minister Judith Collins say. “The NZTA App will enable an easier way for Kiwis to pay for Vehicle Registration and Road User Charges (RUC). ...
Whānau with tamariki growing up in emergency housing motels will be prioritised for social housing starting this week, says Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka. “Giving these whānau a better opportunity to build healthy stable lives for themselves and future generations is an essential part of the Government’s goal of reducing ...
Racing Minister Winston Peters has paid tribute to an icon of the industry with the recent passing of Dave O’Sullivan (OBE). “Our sympathies are with the O’Sullivan family with the sad news of Dave O’Sullivan’s recent passing,” Mr Peters says. “His contribution to racing, initially as a jockey and then ...
Assalaamu alaikum, greetings to you all. Eid Mubarak, everyone! I want to extend my warmest wishes to you and everyone celebrating this joyous occasion. It is a pleasure to be here. I have enjoyed Eid celebrations at Parliament before, but this is my first time joining you as the Minister ...
Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced Pharmac’s largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff. “Access to medicines is a crucial part of many Kiwis’ lives. We’ve committed to a budget allocation of $1.774 billion over four years so Kiwis are ...
Hon Paula Bennett has been appointed as member and chair of the Pharmac board, Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced today. "Pharmac is a critical part of New Zealand's health system and plays a significant role in ensuring that Kiwis have the best possible access to medicines,” says Mr Seymour. ...
Hundreds of New Zealand families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) will benefit from a new Government focus on prevention and treatment, says Health Minister Dr Shane Reti. “We know FASD is a leading cause of preventable intellectual and neurodevelopmental disability in New Zealand,” Dr Reti says. “Every day, ...
Regional Development Minister Shane Jones today attended the official opening of Kaikohe’s new $14.7 million sports complex. “The completion of the Kaikohe Multi Sports Complex is a fantastic achievement for the Far North,” Mr Jones says. “This facility not only fulfils a long-held dream for local athletes, but also creates ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ engagements in Türkiye this week underlined the importance of diplomacy to meet growing global challenges. “Returning to the Gallipoli Peninsula to represent New Zealand at Anzac commemorations was a sombre reminder of the critical importance of diplomacy for de-escalating conflicts and easing tensions,” Mr Peters ...
Ambassador Millar, Burgemeester, Vandepitte, Excellencies, military representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen – good morning and welcome to this sacred Anzac Day dawn service. It is an honour to be here on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood – a deeply ...
Distinguished guests - It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders. Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia. Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Eric Stokan, Assistant Professor of Political Science, University of Maryland, Baltimore County If you live in one of the most economically deprived neighborhoods in your city, you might think the government is directing a smaller share of public funds to your community. ...
Wansolwara The news media’s crucial role in climate change and environment journalism was the focus of The University of the South Pacific’s Journalism Programme 2024 World Press Freedom Day celebrations. The European Union Ambassador to the Pacific, Barbara Plinkert, and Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General Henry Puna were the chief ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael Adams, Professor of Corporate Law & Academic Director of UNE Sydney campus, University of New England Last August, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) launched legal proceedings against Qantas. The consumer watchdog accused the airline of selling thousands of tickets ...
This episode of A View From Afar was recorded LIVE on May 6, 2024 (NZST) which is Sunday evening, May 5, 2024 at 8:30pm (USEST). In an analytical essay titled ‘A moment of friction’ political scientist Dr Paul Buchanan wrote how we are living within a decisive moment ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alison Taylor, Assistant Professor, Bond University Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures At the crux of the critical response to Luca Guadagnino’s new movie Challengers is one word: “sexy”. The film charts a love triangle between three up-and-coming tennis players: Tashi (Zendaya), ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jenny Stewart, Professor of Public Policy, ADFA Canberra, UNSW Sydney For years, First Nations people have been telling governments they want to be listened to. In particular, they want more ownership of the programs and services that are supposed to help them. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gregory Moore, Senior Research Associate, School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, The University of Melbourne Why do trees have bark? Julien, age 6, Melbourne. This is a great question, Julien. We are so familiar with bark on trees, that most of us ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anthony Nasser, Senior Lecturer in Physiotherapy, University of Technology Sydney PeopleImages.com – Yuri A/Shutterstock The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is an important ligament in the knee. It runs from the thigh bone (femur) to the shin bone (tibia) and helps stabilise ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne I covered the May 2 United Kingdom local government elections for The Poll Bludger. The Blackpool South parliamentary byelection was also held, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Deanna Grant-Smith, Professor of Management, University of the Sunshine Coast The federal government has announced a “Commonwealth Prac Payment” to support selected groups of students doing mandatory work placements. Those who are studying to be a teacher, nurse, midwife or social ...
We round up everything coming to streaming services this week, including Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, Apple TV+, ThreeNow, Neon and TVNZ+. If you love a dark comedy: Bodkin (Netflix, May 9)An English podcaster, an Irish podcaster and American podcaster walk into a pub and…make a TV show? ...
By Eleisha Foon, RNZ Pacific senior journalist A Pacific regionalism academic has called out New Zealand’s Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters for withholding information from the public on AUKUS and says the security deal “raises serious questions for the Pacific region”. Auckland University of Technology academic Dr Marco de Jong ...
How worried should we be about the cloud? This is an excerpt from our weekly environmental newsletter Future Proof. Sign up here. I currently have a few thousand unread emails languishing in my inbox, mostly old marketing newsletters and piles of unread science journal press releases. I have a similar number ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nuurrianti Jalli, Assistant Professor of Communication Studies College of Arts and Sciences Department of Languages, Literature, and Communication Studies, Northern State University Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Southeast Asian governments not only have to deal with the virus but also with the false ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Murakami Wood, Professor of Critical Surveillance and Securities Studies, L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa The skyline of Riyadh, the capital and largest city of the Kingdom of Saudia Arabia.(Shutterstock) There is a long history of planned city building by both governments ...
The LIVE Recording of A View from Afar podcast will begin today at 12:45pm May 6, 2024 (NZST) which is Sunday evening, 8:30pm (USEST). In an analytical essay titled ‘A moment of friction’ political scientist Dr Paul Buchanan wrote how we are living within a decisive moment of ...
The Boil Up’s Lucinda Bennett considers the oyster – from freshness to pearls to the joy of shucking your own. This is an excerpt from our weekly food newsletter, The Boil Up. In Carmen Maria Machado’s short story ‘Eight Bites’, a woman begins her last supper before bariatric surgery with “a cavalcade ...
Asia Pacific Report A group of 65 Auckland University academics have written an open letter to vice-chancellor Dawn Freshwater criticising the institution’s stance over students protesting in solidarity with Palestine. They have called on her administration to “support” the students who were denied permission to establish an “overnight encampment” by ...
The Student Volunteer Army is on the march, generating approximately 1.6 million hours of volunteering from roughly 35,000 secondary school students in just five years. For Rebekah Brown, the pathway to volunteering started with her singing coach. With a passion for the arts, the suggestion to volunteer at Acting Antics, ...
Keeping up with online communication can be exhausting, so Fran Barclay enlisted the help of Meta’s new ‘intelligent assistant’ to respond to all her messages. Could her mates tell the difference? For centuries, technology has ruled the ways in which we communicate. From the dawn of written language, to the ...
Jamie Arbuckle, a councillor who has become an member of parliament, says he has settled into having two roles so comfortably he's going to keep both pay cheques. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Luis Gómez Romero, Senior Lecturer in Human Rights, Constitutional Law and Legal Theory, University of Wollongong Fifty years ago, Australian feminist Anne Summers denounced “the ideology of sexism” governing over so many women’s lives. Unfortunately, sexism is as lethal today as it ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jose Antonio Lara-Hernandez, Senior Researcher in Architecture, Auckland University of Technology Getty Images The COVID-19 pandemic and the hybrid work patterns it fostered have changed the way we think about office space, and central business districts in general. While fears ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dale Boccabella, Associate Professor of Taxation Law, UNSW Sydney There’s a good reason your local volunteer-run netball club doesn’t pay tax. In Australia, various nonprofit organisations are exempt from paying income tax, including those that do charitable work, such as churches. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Marina Deller, Casual Academic, Creative Writing and English Literature, Flinders University NetflixComedy is opening up spaces for silences to be broken and trauma stories to be told. In 2018, Hannah Gadsby started a revolution with Nanette, asking audiences to rethink ...
The workplace can be a minefield of bad comms and passive aggression. Kinksters can help you navigate it. A friend and colleague recently gave me a compliment I loved. They told me I’d always been good at emotional communication and making people feel comfortable. “But I feel like it’s really ...
Even if some students are now just texting on their laptops. Stewart Sowman-Lund writes in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. ...
Councils from Horowhenua, Kāpiti, Wairarapa, the Hutt Valley, Porirua and Wellington City will meet this Friday to work together on a plan for a Greater Wellington region water deal. ...
Renowned musician, advocate, and proud born and raised daughter of Tauranga, Ria Hall, is announcing her candidacy for Mayor of Tauranga and Pāpāmoa Ward for the upcoming election on July 20th. ...
The new Aotearoa histories curriculum is rich with potential. There’s still work to be done, but the education minister’s criticisms about ‘balance’ miss the mark, argues primary school teacher Jessie Moss. In 2015, Ōtorohanga College students presented to parliament a petition signed by more than 10,000 people calling for a ...
For too long our so-called national bird has maintained its stranglehold on the economy of regional New Zealand. Thanks to the fast track legislation, we will have our revenge. Theories abound on what ails New Zealand’s economy. National leader Chris Luxon has posited that we’re negative, wet, whiny, and inward-looking; ...
Late one afternoon in March 1860 a man in a thin green velveteen jacket and a wide-awake hat arrived on foot at a sheep station named Glenmark, about 65 kilometres north of Christchurch. The man was in his mid-fifties but he looked older. Several people who met him that day ...
If building one of Auckland’s possible waterfront stadiums was funded privately, it would need to hold a sold-out Ed Sherran concert every weekday for 25 years. That’s Rob Hamlin’s finding – he’s a senior marketing lecturer at the University of Otago. “It’s not going to happen; forget about it,” he ...
Comment: The debate over the future relationship between news and social media is bringing us closer to a long-overdue reckoning. Social media isn’t trying to kill journalism, because social media has never really cared about journalism. Social media is resolutely in the attention business. News propels some attention — perhaps ...
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For the past 12 years, Georgia-Rose Brown has balanced on the brink of making an Olympic Games – but always landed gracefully on the wrong side. Reaching the Olympics is a dream the gymnast has harboured since she was a six-year-old; a dream that would dwindle every four years, yet ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra A new Commonwealth Prac Payment will provide students with $319.50 a week when they are on clinical and professional placements. The payment will be means tested and start from July 1 next year, which ...
Asia Pacific Report About 500 people honoured Palestinian journalists in the heart of the New Zealand city of Auckland today for their brave coverage of Israel’s War on Gaza, now in its seventh month with almost 35,000 people killed, mostly women and children. Marking the annual May 3 World Press ...
The Government Communications Security Bureau denies hosting a foreign spying capability flagged by the watchdog, differentiating it from the system recently criticised. ...
RNZ News A group of academic staff at New Zealand’s largest university have expressed concern at the administration’s move to block a protest encampment that was planned to take place on campus calling for support for the rights of Palestinians. This week, the University of Auckland warned that while it ...
Genterwocky After a hard days marching, Sir Doocey calls in at the Village Tavern For a pint of ale and a pork pie. The grim villagers stare at him. “Do not be travelling on the forest road,” warns a crusty old beak. “And why is that, antique peasant?” Grins Sir ...
Political conferences after a party returns to power are usually a chance for some healthy, even unhealthy backslapping. Yet National Party president Sylvia Wood’s address to its mainland representatives on Saturday hardly contained the unalloyed delight that one might have expected following National’s escape from the wilderness of opposition. Yes, ...
Comment: Almost half the world is voting in national elections this year and artificial intelligence is the elephant in the room. There are genuine fears AI-generated or AI-edited deepfakes will potentially manipulate election outcomes not just in the US and UK, but critically in countries such as India. For that ...
Ahead of the reality franchise’s return to New Zealand, allow us to introduce the eight brides and grooms. Chuck on a veil and tie back your man bun, because it’s time to say “I do” to a new season of Married at First Sight NZ. The reality TV “social experiment” ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrew Norton, Professor in the Practice of Higher Education Policy, Australian National University Every year on June 1, student debt in Australia is indexed to inflation. In 2023, high inflation pushed the indexation rate to 7.1%, the highest since 1990. This ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Changes in the May 14 budget will cut the student debt of more than three million people, wiping more than $3 billion from what people owe. The government will cap the HELP indexation rate ...
Asia Pacific Report The prosecutor’s office at the International Criminal Court (ICC) has appealed for an end to what it calls intimidation of its staff, saying such threats could constitute an offence against the “administration of justice” by the world’s permanent war crimes court. The Hague-based office of ICC Prosecutor ...
By Patrick Decloitre, RNZ Pacific correspondent French Pacific desk A women’s union in New Caledonia has staged a sit-in protest this week to support senior Kanak indigenous journalist Thérèse Waia, who works for public broadcaster Nouvelle-Calédonie la Première, after a smear attack by critics. The peaceful demonstration was held on ...
New Zealand Food Safety is monitoring overseas recalls of Indian packaged spice products manufactured by MDH and Everest due to concerns over a cancer-causing pesticide. ...
By Stephen Wright and Stefan Armbruster of BenarNews Fiji’s ranking in a global press freedom index has jumped into the top tier of countries with free or mostly free media after its government last year repealed a draconian law that threatened journalists with prison for doing their jobs. Fiji’s improvement ...
We might be in Invercargill but all anyone can talk about is Gore. Specifically, Salford Street. That’s where three-year-old Lachlan Jones lived, south of the centre of town, between the A&P Showgrounds and the Mataura River. Roughly 1.2 km away from the single level home he lived in with his ...
More and more civil rights abuses revealed.
How far does New Zealand have to disappear into this orwellian nightmare, before we wake up, and have to claw a way back to something closer to democracy? Let us rid ourselves of overbearing and arrogant state agencies, who openly flout the law, commit forgery and perjury. Then arrogantly defend their abuse of power and demand even more power.
In a case of police perjury and forgery to get a conviction against motorcycle gang members. No police were charged with breaking the law. And a police prosecutor openly argues before our courts, in defence of torture.
I might like to ask officer Mander: In the hypothetical example of police torture. You have argued here, that if the evidence gained under police torture did not make it to the resulting trial. Or was not presented. Then that trial should go ahead. But if evidence of the police torture didn’t come to light, or was denied had happened by the police. How would the courts know if the evidence resulting from that torture had not made it to any trials?
I would disagree with the police officer Mander. In the hypothetical case of police torture raised by Justice French. Officer Mander argues, before Justice French and the two other judges. That the courts would not be “endorsing torture”, if they didn’t, (as they have done in this case of police forgery and perjury), stop the proceedings immediately on discovery of it.
If you allow known police law breaking. The question is how much undiscovered police law breaking is going on?
The courts must express zero tolerance for police perjury and forgery.
This is the argument of all terrorists, indeed it is the argument of all authoritarian police states. (including this one).
However in my humble opinion.
Watch this:
http://www.3news.co.nz/John-Key-defends-the-GCSB-bill/tabid/817/articleID/309018/Default.aspx
So GCSB is basically like a Norton antivirus. It’s all Helen Clark’s and Labour’s fault. Everyone is wrong about GCSB except the PM himself.
Uh huh.
Unfuckingbelievable.
Yep Key explained it really clearly, any doubts I may have had regarding the GSCB bill have been well and truly put to bed.
I would like to think you are being sarcastic, but seeing as you worship the ground Key walks on, I have my doubts.
I have ownership deeds to a Sydney to Auckland bridge I’d like to sell you, BM.
And I got some hover cars you can use on the bridge, BM.
Are they the ones you bought from a Nigerian Prince, Karol?
Nope, from moi !
What a weasley bully John key is. Won’t answer difficult questions just keeps talking over Campbell and continues on with his used car salesman con. When he does answer questions, he actually doesn’t – does slick sidesteps.
More submissions to the snapper Bill than the GCSB one, means more Kiwis care about the snapper Bill. Really?
The GCSB Bill is more legally complex and not so easy for most Kiwis to comment on formally.
Key didn’t bully Campbell.
Campbell invited Key on to explain the GCSB bill, which he did very clearly and very well.
When some one is invited onto a show to speak, you let them speak, you don’t bombard them with 20 questions and then interrupt and try to talk over your GUEST every 10 seconds because you’re trying to prove them wrong.
What sort of interviewer does that, obviously a poor one going by what Brian Edwards tweeted.
There would be no possible way to interview Key other than to “talk over” him. He has the well learned technique of politicians (and yes, used car salesmen) of talking in a continuous stream of facts and figures. Some of them true and some downright untrue. Key is a master of it – – – glib, persuasive, often laced with ad hominum attack, oblique denigration of the opinions and status of those that might disagree with him.
He can’t get his comeuppence quickly enough for this NZ’er !
You’re as full of shit as Key.
The reason John Campbell interrupted Key was because Key wasn’t answering the fucking questions he was asked!
Key did bully Campbell-he “played the man” to shake Campbell up. This is classic court room witness procedure to throw someone off their stride.
It’s not about who “won” this interview, it’s about whether Key fronted honestly and answered the questions central to the issue, which he refused to do.
Key is very good at answering questions he is not asked-he had been well coached. The spinmeisters would have trained him on the getting to the studio anecdote.
+1 BG. It was a masterclass in spin.
Key was pumped and primed for the encounter. It was obviously an important one
for him to .. [whatever]. It tells you a lot about where he is coming from.
I’m not sure if you watched the same video I did Carol ?
I don’t like Key at all, but I thought in this instance he politely took Campbell to the cleaners, it was a terrible interview by Campbell live and reminded me of when he tried to ambush Helen all those years ago.
Worse still I think for any people wavering on the GCSB bill this will have them more comfortable with what the government is doing… as I said an unmitigated disaster.
Agreed, as much as I loathe Key and what he has done.
How the fuck is Shearer going to combat Key next year? He will get turned into mincemeat.
Key was masterful…the “I’ll get to that point in a moment” (then never does) was classic. Key’s opening 60 seconds were the worst, he turned the tide from there.
By the end Campbell was flustered and unable to land any hits. He’d underestimated the form that Key was in, and reading out paragraphs of legislation was not going to engage viewers.
Key on the other hand spoke without notes, was very patient but firm with Campbell, talked from memory, and appeared expert and reassuring.
Yes, after the opening salvo, it felt that Campbell lost confidence in his knowledge of the GCSB, just because John Key delivered such misdirection with confidence.
It’s been a while, but watched the Hardtalk interview recently to someone who hadn’t seen it, and noted how the interviewer did not allow Key to take control, and reminded him that he hadn’t answered questions.
At present, closest I see to that technique is Mihirangi Forbes on Native Affairs.
Masterful?
I suppose if you think watching a used car salesman go through his usual schtick is masterful then you can’t be helped.
Campbell was flabbergasted that the shit kept dribbling out Key’s yap which I thought was the reasonable reaction to the performance.
Tell me CV, how would you have handled Key if you had been interviewing him?
Geoff
It sounds as if Key was masterful at the spin to the RWNJs at the other end of the tube. And used Campbell’s program to do so very effectively.
I have a tape of Stephen Price’s excellent list of methods to use for pollies who want to avoid answering unsuitable questions. I don’t know if it’s available anywhere. I did once have a look at Replay Radio. I think it is very funny and actually instructive.
Are you referring to this ?
http://www.medialawjournal.co.nz/?page_id=273
This angle from Campbell the entire interview:
“This is now an issue of trust, and of transparency. We have seen overseas that authorities have lied to the public about how laws and limitations are actually interpreted, circumvented and used. In NZ intelligence laws have been broken and no one held accountable. So experts say that the new legislation is wholly inadequate.”
But Key responds, pretty much as he did last night — ” No it’s not ! Just you and your programme are lying about it and spreading misinformation etc etc etc etc and you are scaring ordinary New Zealanders”
Then what ?
And Key would have rolled in with his ‘I cant talk about what other countries are doing…” schtick.
The fact is you cant combat someone who is prepared to unblinkingly stand by their barefaced lies.
We’ve seen this time and time again with Key. He never is prepared to admit he lied, if his lie gets properly exposed he just comes in with an excuse that he forgot or some such garbage.
The best that can be done is to show again and again that this is a man who cannot be trusted because he keeps changing his story.
^this.
CV.
Key did go back to most of the things he said “I’ll get back to…” but he went back to them in his own time and in his own way. Didnt allow himself to be rushed or pushed. Key explained items very well and when Campbell got pissed with Keys polish and tried to interupt he kept saying “let me finish..” which pissed Campbell off even more.
Very very smooth performance from Key.
Not many on this site would have liked what they saw in that interview. I am happy to ignore the content of the whole segement (because GCSB will be forgotten in a year) and just concentrate on the performance of Key. Rare for Key to really get out of 2nd gear and its a bit of a glimpse of what Key is capable of. Who has Labour got to come close in pre election debates? No one.
Did he get back to KimDot Com? No
Did he get back to the law society? No
Did he get back to anything he said he would?
Please give us a specific example of what he actually got back to.
He went back to the DotCon issue.
(and no I am not watching it afuckinggain to make a list for you ! ) 🙂
Ok I retract that he didn’t go back to KimDotcom but he
also didn’t get back to the supposed threats to NZ which is his supposed main motivation for this bill.
Look that main point is that John Key clearly was not there to properly answer questions and really properly inform people. A person who is trying to do that doesn’t behave the way John Key did. He was playing a stupid game and it was obvious he was playing a stupid game.
And even that completely ignores the context of this story, ie Snowden, the NSA, global diigtal surveillance and NZ’s part in that via the GCSB, the whole shebang.
Key wont even acknowledge that stuff even exists let alone the GCSBs role in it. And why? Why wont he acknowledge it? Because he’s fucking hiding something! And plenty of people think he’s hiding how in the pocket of the USA him and his party is.
I haven’t seen such a total dismatling of an argument since I came up against Puddleglum on these pages some time ago.
I feel for Campbell.
I dont feel for Campy one lil bit.
He set out to smack Key around and he got a beating.
A bully on his own patch too, was funny to see.
Yep, but there is a brighter side…..when I got smacked by Puddles, I looked up her blog and was so impressed by her obvious intelligence in all things that now I just automatically believe everything she says.
Maybe that will happen to Campbell?????
I had hopes, but felt that Campbell started off with a hiss and a roar… and then let Key smile his way into using the show as a platform for himself.
Analogies are a VERY useful tool to help understanding, but also to redirect if used skilfully. Key uses them all the time, and needs to be pulled up on them.
When he stated that whether he took a bus, car or walked to the studio it didn’t matter how he did it – as long as he got there – I waited with hope for Campbell to say “… using your analogy, you are saying that if you ran over ten people on the way to the studio it doesn’t matter – because here you are! That is what the concerns of the Law Society, etc seem to be – you are running over our civil liberties and rights to privacy in order to pass this bill.”
… as for Norton antivirus and metadata discussion …. how did Campbell let him get away with that?
Because Campbell was a complete mess, he was all over the place nervously shuffling papers and telling Key to sue him.
Key could’ve dropped his tweeds at that stage and tea bagged the man and Campbell wouldn’t have said anything.
It was all rather one sided.
“Key could’ve dropped his tweeds at that stage and tea bagged the man”… and since that is your idea of PR skill and competence, your admiration of him condemns him more than Campbell ever could.
Campbell was ambushed by a well-coached and prepped politician who set out to control the interview .. “let me just finish this point ..” “like the Norton antivirus” .. “Ok, ok .. I am just stating the facts .. ” ..”you are frightening people .. you are .. you are” .. “You might as well read a James Bond movie” .. “you have nothing to be worried about” ..
.. analyse the audio – who is he getting media advice from these days ?
I agree with you entirely about the performance of Key BUT where is John Campbell’s skill after years of current affairs?
I spent most of the interview noting the amount of times Campbell could/and should have regained control.
Also thought immediately that the response to NZers don’t care should have been already drafted by Campbell along the lines of:
“Perhaps it is not that Kiwi’s don’t care, PM, it is that after hearing you and your National MP’s arrogantly dismiss the Law Society, the Human Rights Commission, Geoffrey Palmer, Dame Anne Salmond etc they feel that it is a waste of time, and perhaps an exercise in humiliation to broach this subject. Snapper quota interaction – on the other hand – has been actively promoted.”
Near the end I stopped looking at the video and started taking notes. Re. “where is John Campbell’s skill” .. you don’t develop skill when there is no opposition, but Key has just shown the effect of good media training. He was calm and composed and kept taking the initiative to sell his case in language Joe or Jill Voter would use.
Crosby & Textor are probably working with Abbott – who is advising the US Rebublicans or the UK Conservatives these days ? Ashcroft has connections with both & Key’s performance was no fluke. A snap election might be around the corner.
Calm and composed?! Did you not hear his squeaky voice?
Molly
As you say Campbell is not a newbie. Lots of practice makes perfect yet some new effect has destabilised him?
I was really annoyed at Campbell years ago as he harrassed Helen Clark about what Labour’s plans were for handling the GM entry into agriculture, I think corn was then being discussed. I felt he was trying to force her into saying something that would prove to be incorrect so he and others could continually harrass her about it.
crosby textor, same place as always
“Getting advice”???? he could “give” it….
I don’t think John Campbell was nervous. He was furious with frustration on how to stop the garbage pouring out of Key’s mouth. It is obvious that both Steven Joyce and John Key try to talk continuously so that they don’t have to answer specific questions.
I think the answer is to follow up the next night with a dissection of the diatribe, sentence by sentence, using real experts to discredit the inane ideas put forward. State the questions asked, show the deflecting comments (I’ll come back to it later, etc) and to link our situation with the current situation which is between the NSA and congressmen who had to vote without having full information. We need people to understand that we don’t want to end up trying to unwind the type of mess that the US has got itself into. People in NZ are not head over heels with the US now (apart from Dear Leader) and will see the reason why more time and consideration is needed, including a full inquiry into all surveillance before changing the GCSB law.
Campbell was angry. Key used that and ran rings around him. Campbell allowed himself to think he had Key on a hook. His arrogance was on display while Key was allowed a prime time spot to further his agenda.
If you can’t kill the snake then don’t grab it’s tail.
Give me a fucking break.
Campbell asked him a lot of good questions and Key squirmed and lied and talked shit and stalled for time. He repeatedly asked Campbell to allow him to finish (which Campbell often did). If Campbell had continually berated him it would have Ken Ring all over again. How the hell you equate that as a win to Key I have no idea.
And Key was too gutless to grab the tail because he knew he’d be sliced up so instead decided to dance around it from forty paces. Says a lot about Key. He’ll do anything to avoid the discussion. Do you think avoiding discussion and avoiding getting to the truth is admirable?
Disagree.
I thought it was obvious to anyone watching that Key was talking crap and avoiding providing real answers. Campbell gave him enough rope to hang himself. That’s as much as an interviewer can actually do. Some of you lot seem to think Campbell should have reached across the desk and shaken Key until he admitted he’s a filthy lying scumbag.
I have taken advantage of the premature government digitization initiative to give it the digit,
save my eyes, and prioritise whatever time I have left on this planet for living rather than passively absorbing the garbage which passes for news or advertising or commentary in NZ.
Campbell not at his singular best on this occasion. In a complex issue so vulnerable to facile minimisation and glib prime ministerial assurance ShonKey Python successfully deployed his customary modus operandi and presented exactly that.
So, rejoice, rejoice, rejoice those relieved not to see ShonKey Python slaughtered. But do recall that there is out there a live question as to ShonKey Python’s integrity and true loyalties and last night did not answer that.
One Campbell Live does not a summer make.
To Brian Edwards’ re his snippy Twitter comment…….get over yourself. The public interest as identified by the Law Society, Palmer, Salmond, Human Rights, Privacy and the rest is immeasurably more commanding than your self-accorded status as professor emeritus of New Zealand television journalism. I’m thinking “Old Fart” akshully.
I used to have a lot of time for Brian Edwards. That was many moons ago. Now he’s a pompous old fart who just wants to assert his superiority in all things. It’s sad to watch.
Go and rewatch the corngate interviews.
I’m no fan of Helen Clark but it was clear in that interview that she had been setup and explained so during the interview.
There is absolutely no comparison to the interview last night.
How did he ambush Key?
Yep, when what he actually SAID is dissected, you realise he’s actually crazy but he really believes that the public will swallow all his rubbish! It doesn’t matter how he got here, whether by taxi or bus etc? It’s just like Norton’s anti-virus?? What pot-smoking planet is he on? People need to start LISTENING instead of just watching!!
People need to start LISTENING instead of just watching!!
Welcome to television. Goes back to Nixon’s famous five o’clock shadow.
Key avoids radio interviews with Mary Wilson, Kim Hill etc because on radio we only listen. The lack of content is exposed.
On TV we are (obviously) watching, and Key is made for that medium. He appears unruffled, and in control, even if he is saying black is white.
Shearer looks awful on TV. The open mouth, the flicking tongue, the blinking. This may not be fair, but it is true.
No, he avoids interviews with Mary Wilson and Kim Hill because they are raving leftie loonies pushing their own agendas. They also have tiny audiences of mostly other committed leftists.
Great to see him taking on the easiest radical leftie target, Campbell, on prime time television. What a boost to Nationals re-election chances!
“Tiny audience” … You’ve been taking truth lessons from Key?
“I can find you another dictionary that says tiny means something else …”
You mean if he went on the committed leftie shows, his popularity might even increase???? Wow!
Did you toddle out of the kiwiblog nursery, get lost and find yourself here?
I have to keep reminding myself that it is useful to have cretins like about because everyone needs to know that people like you do actually exist.
I wonder if his minders go so far as to insist he only ever be filmed front on. He doesn’t have a very flattering profile at all, and it’s difficult to find profile shots of him. I really do think he is false and manufactured to that extent.
Plus the constant eyebrow lifting – I agree. Still, John Campbell is on every night and can dissect the interview piece by piece, the “performance” won’t play so well in that light I would imagine!
Labor plans to put Tony Abbott’s character at the centre of the election campaign after a third stumble by the Opposition Leader in three days.
Despite having presented Prime Minister Kevin Rudd as a beacon of positive politics, Labor strategists have called game on for an all-out assault on Mr Abbott.
In an interview on Wednesday, Mr Abbott appeared to dismiss same-sex marriage as ”the fashion of the moment”. Finance Minister Penny Wong, who is in a long-term same-sex relationship, tweeted: ”Note to Mr Abbott: Equality is not a fashion item.”
The criticism came after Mr Abbott referred on Tuesday to the ”sex appeal” of the Liberal candidate for Lindsay, Fiona Scott, and a slip of the tongue on Monday when he said no one was ”the suppository of all wisdom”.
Advertisement
The Labor campaign initially decided against commenting on the sex appeal quip, but Mr Rudd came out swinging on Wednesday, declaring any male employer who stood up in a workplace and praised a female employee’s sex appeal would be ”in serious strife”.
”In modern Australia, neither sexism nor racism nor homophobia has any place whatsoever, and I believe people look to their national leaders to set that sort of example,” Mr Rudd said.
Mr Abbott hit back, calling Labor ”pathetic” for trying to ”raise this sort of thing in an attempt to claw back votes in a campaign they’re losing”.
http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/federal-election-2013/labor-turnaround-targets-abbott-for-allout-assault-20130814-2rwvz.html
Oh! The same tactics Gillard employed – that will go down well. Look at how Gillard’s ratings dropped after her “Misogyny” speech. Rudds will head that way (they already are) pretty damn quick if they keep this up.
It would be easier for Labor if Rudd had some character. The old leader, Latham, came out and said you’d have to be drunk to find the Liberal candidate sexy. They’re a bloody train wreck.
Key.. ” i have 1/2 dozen public meetings a day engaging with people” Well, that’s bullshit right from the start. Key’s only public meetings are generally small mobs of pre-pubesent girls at private schools.
I’ve been depressed ever since seeing Key not get nailed to the wall but this comment has cheered me up! Also, truth!
Anyone still wanting NZ to build nuclear power plants?
yip.
Is it because you think the risk of disaster is so small, or that you think it doesn’t matter?
A modern plant can be engineered to be safe.
Up North somewhere, maybe beside the Waikato river 🙂
A citation for how the Fukushima plants could have been engineered to be safe from tsunamis is now needed, thanks. Then some credible analysis of the risks in the NZ situation, and how those can be engineered to be completely risk free.
Put the Fukushima plant up behind the 1000 year old stone tablets that told the locals not to build anywhere closer to the sea! The sea fucked it not the earthquake.
The report on Fukushima came up with a bunch of causes. Everyone of the causes is considered to be preventable.
and of course Fukushima is 45 years old?
“The report on Fukushima came up with a bunch of causes. Everyone of the causes is considered to be preventable.”
Citation please. And make sure the citation shows that the risks can be reduced to zero. Otherwise I will assume that you believe the risk is acceptable and that it doesn’t matter if it happens.
France is almost 100% nuclear – no problems there. Sweden is also heavily into nuclear but it’s plants are getting old and are being systemically shut down. A prudent action by a responsible government.
Seriously? You want to say that NZ will be safe because Europe is even when Japan isn’t? That doesn’t make any kind of rational sense.
FRance and Sweden have better oversight, they don’t keep plants going as long and probably make better coices where to build them, although neither France or Sweden are known to be prone to Tsunami.
Oversight? What, are you saying that market forces won’t be enough to ensure safety, you filthy communist?
Sometimes, in this case, market forces just need a little help……
Tsunami is easy to engineer out, same as earthquakes and a smallish plant in NZ could run at stable load which is a big plus. Biggest issue is as always the variables. People.
Lets just get on with it, save building more pylons up thru the Waikato.
I say we tread carefully here. Let’s wait until the first ten or so have been successfully decommissioned in full overseas and then talk about it again sometime, eh.
Whatever gave you the idea that a nuclear power plant wouldn’t need the pylons?
DTB, it wouldnt need pylons if you build it North of the Waikato would it now. You know, build it up where the power gets used?
Auckland doesn’t use that much power and considering that we need a smart grid to tie in all generation across the country we’d still need the pylons. The only way we wouldn’t is if we went to underground distribution which has nothing to do with building a nuclear power plant.
Care to explain what you mean by “reduced to zero” ?
I know the Gweens are anti science but sheesh even that has limits.
It is possible to engineer a plant that will run for a million years and it could still possibly be hit by a lazer beam from an alien spaceship having a scrap with another alien spaceship. Slim chance but it is possible.
Nice try at a diversion. I asked you if you think the risk of disaster is so small, or if you think it doesn’t matter. You haven’t answered. YOU are the one that made the claim that nuclear power can be engineered to be safe, and I just assumed from the context (eg Fukushima) that you mean pretty close to 100%. Don’t worry so much about alien fantasies, and instead look at risks that already exist in the real world. Please tell us how those can be engineered to not exist.
Until you do, I am going to assume that you think the risk doesn’t matter.
you said “reduced to zero” and “completely risk free”
Neither thing is humanly possible. Grow up.
If you are asking me if a plant can be engineered and built in New Zealand to be safe within reasonable margins then yes it can.
You dont think aliens exist? really?
“Anti-science” – my poor dimwitted ignoramus, the Green movement started in the scientific community and remains firmly committed to its values.
Perhaps you think Dr. Mike Joy is a social worker or something.
I don’t mind you arguing your pitiful drivel, but the best you can do is smear other people instead.
We need better wingnuts.
“you said “reduced to zero” and “completely risk free” ”
But I only said that because you said the risks can be engineered out. Still waiting for some evidence that humans can engineer nuclear power plants to be safe from tsunamis (or any other of the currently known risks). But not holding my breath, I’ve asked multiple times now and you’ve failed to give even a hint of something that backs up what you said. It is as I thought, you think the risks don’t matter, and are just making shit up to support that.
It’s a matter of faith, Weka. Faith and reckless disregard amounting to negligence.
Actually, no it can’t. NZ is an unstable land mass and it’s not tsunamis that are going to be the problem but the plant being ripped apart by earth movement.
Ah, no, that would be National and they’re anti-science because it proves them wrong. Everything the Greens say has good scientific backing.
DTB.. You are just taking the piss 🙂
I am a scientist and I work with scientists. Most of us are green to some extent, because it makes sense scientifically.
It’s the business community and right wing politicians who tend to be anti science. DTB is dead right.
‘Lost pink and white terraces ‘ ring any bells in there DavidC ??
“A modern plant can be engineered to be safe.”
no matter what happens on this crazy little ball of chaos as it spins ever-onwards to cosmic annihilation, you have to love the willful yet optimistic ignorance of the human species 🙂
and I just saw five pink pigs flying in tight formation across the cloudless sky ! 🙂
Is that a new sort of chemtrail? Oh dear something else to have the vapours about.
😆
Which is probably exactly what they said when Fukushima was built – something along the lines of “oh no, no chance of a Windscale here, this plant has been engineered to be safe”.
Basically, nuclear power has three main safety issues: fuel, operation, and waste. The first and last are definite issues in NZ given the Rena and other incidents, and the middle on is a definite issue because NZ is located in the “ring of fire” (and, of course, sooner or later the plant will be run under a National government, and staffed by products of charter schools).
There is also an economic issue based around the sheer cost of building and operating such a plant for NZ’s small market.
Cost to build is trivial. All the power is pre sold well in advance. A fraction of the cost of wind. Run the plant at constant load (which they like) and use hydro as peak load.
Stop building ugly noisey expensive wind turbines!
cite pls.
[gets popcorn]
And you ignored every other issue mentioned.
Although I might possibly endorse the building of a nuclear power plant close to its major market, i.e. Auckland. Coastal area with nine volcanoes and multiple fault-lines, what could go wrong…
Volcanoes in the Waikato? I didnt know that. Where? its pretty flat.
Nah, if it’s safe then you might as well build it in downtown Auckland. Right where it’s needed.
How’s it going finding a source for your claim that the capital costs of a nuclear power plant are “trivial”?
McFlock.
Sorry not to keep up with your pressing timeframes.
I was forced to do my Saturday long run today as I cant on Saturday, so now I am sore and stuffing my face. 🙂
But thunk on this.
If you can build a factory and turn out widgets that are presold for the next 50 years and the price of manufacture of those widgets is far below any other widget manufacturer in the counry…. would you build that factory?
oh and if I was looking at a place to put it I think alongside the Whangaparoa (sp?) inlet would be the place.
Above Jaffaland, sea not river for cooling, nil chance of Tsunami.
Then we can build a big wall at the Bombay hills and the Jaffas can be independant and leave the rest of us in peace 🙂
No worries, you pulled it out of your arse anyway. Like that “nil chance of Tsunami”.
A nuclear power plant is not a widget factory. It is a fucking expensive investment (and that link is for a reactor that is “less expensive to build than other Generation III designs “) with a massive penalty for failure. They make even the Clyde Dam look cheap.
Maybe one day there will be a nuclear (probably fusion-based) reactor that does not have the massive capital costs or the inherent high-penalty dangers of fuel & waste storage and/or transport, or indeed the high-penalty dangers of natural disaster or human mishap during normal operation. It might even happen in my lifetime. But I doubt it.
McFlock.
I can hear my pillow calling me but…
Its not how many zeros the number has its about the cost per unit. If the cost per unit is right then the big number is trivial.
Wanna tell me how you will get a tsunami up the inlet? tricky me thinks.
Only idiots would suggest destroying the remaining tatters of our clean, green image.
BTW whatever the initial capital cost of the reactors, double it in order to include the end of life clean up in 50 years.
David, on nobody’s planet is US$5,000,000,000 “trivial”.
But even if you were correct, “cost to build” is a stupid measure to use against lifetime MW produced: build cost, fuel cost, operating cost, wate management costs, and a buffer in for risk management. And nuclear isn’t competitive.
Does the tide get up there? Or would a largeish tsunami just go over the top? Is your hydronamic knowledge as good as your calculations of capital costs?
davidc — you do know, don’t you, that what we call Lake Taupo is the biggest volcanic crater of its kind anywhere in the world ? Obviously not in the Waikato, but nature will not care not a jot for your paltry district boundaries if the energy arises !)
yeshe.
I hunt in the Kaimanawas a bit. Its awesome in there to see the side walls of some of the streams where they are cut down fifty meters or more and its all just one big thick white layer of pumice! (with a meter of dirt on top)
If Taupo blows again all of NZ is dead so a nuke plant wont matter much.
No.
http://lowcarbonkid.blogspot.co.nz/2011/03/11-reasons-to-oppose-nuclear-power.html
http://www.theatlanticwire.com/technology/2011/04/one-us-nuclear-reactor-uses-much-water-as-all-dc/36634/
http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/gallery/2011/04/the_legacy_of_chernobyl.html
http://www.theverge.com/2012/6/14/3038814/yucca-mountain-wipp-wasteland-battle-entomb-nuclear-waste
My problem with the GCSB bill is one of trust.
You have to TRUST those who are involved in the spying to obey the law and NOT LIE
What is to stop a lying malevolent PM(future?) to manipulate the law to suit him/her self.
Also there needs to be buy in from all/most of the parliament. NOT a one vote majority.
A vote purchased from a sanctimonious moral pygmy and trougher at that.
What part of tweeking a poor piece of legislation, enacted with wide support in 2002, then exposed as legally dodgy a decade later, being improved with additional and wider oversight yet still being opposed philosophically by the current opposition largely with charges of undue haste, escapes you.
Haste maybe, but will a dodgy threat intent on perpetrating damage on NZ Inc just wait patiently for the current Government to sort its sh*t out or would taking advantage seem an opportunity too good to miss.
Sorry Gravedodger……..after several readings any point you’re making has completely dodged me. Punting, I’ll go with this – you agree with “I disagree……”. No ? Sorry. Maybe I’ve missed a snapper in there somewhere.
LOL – remember labour saying it was “all about trust” – so everybody voted National.
Looking at the poll results they are still a lot more trusted than labour.
But not more trusted than L/GP.
Jonn Key is trusted more by NZers than either other party leader.
citation for that please. I think what you really mean is that a poll of a few hundred people who have been given a specific question shows that most ticked the JK box.
Your original comment was about trust for NACT vs trust for Labour.
No what I mean is that either Norman or Shearer are trusted less than Key.
Care to show me a single poll anywhere anytime that has said otherwise?
DavidC
Have you checked your findings with Transparency International guidelines?
IIRC, that question has been asked and the Labour leader is more trusted than John Key.
Not trusted to lead the country he isnt.
So what is Shearer more trusted to do? cake stall? tie his shoes?
Now you’re shifting the goal posts.
The original comment was about voting in an election…so I think it is spot on to comment on Mr Shearer and his lack of traction with voters.
No it wasn’t. It was about trust – trust in the GCSB and trust in PMs. Your comment, the one that I responded to, was that John Key was more trusted than any other party leader.
@ James…….agreed it it is all about trust
*No one trusted Phil Goff as leader and his anti state owned asset sales campaign ….because he was a Rogernome who sold state assets in a previous Labour Government….Labour people stayed at home because people have long memories…it was too much to swallow
* Now Labour has Shearer….not the will/choice of the Labour Party members….and Shearer looks like he has jetted into some corporation and cant believe his luck!….He hopes he will do a good job but doesn’t sound convinced ….either by what he is saying or how he is saying it….and he sounds like he could quite easily fit into National….
Labour is a mess until they get Cunliffe as a leader!…and then Labour will sock it to John Key and show him up for what he is ….Cunliffe is National’s greatest fear!
+1000% Cunliffe is the ONLY possible Labour leader who will take down Key in debate.
+1
Many people no longer support Labour because of their unwillingness to face the reality that New Zealand’s ‘experiment’ with trickle down wealth transfer to the rich over the last thirty years has failed and failed spectacularly. Or to put it another way . .
They are the cocky teenager unable to admit they crashed dad’s car on the weekend. They somehow believe with a bit of paint and some careful lighting that the damage is really not all that obvious. They are right, it’s not, but only if you are still sitting in the car.
Many ex-Labour voters, myself included, have real trouble understanding why Labour cannot admit this reality and just do what needs to be done. Puting Cunliffe in charge is the most obvious action towards doing what is necessary to help save New Zealand.
“their unwillingness to face the reality that New Zealand’s ‘experiment’ with trickle down wealth transfer to the rich over the last thirty years has failed and failed spectacularly.”
Only problem is there is no such experiment.
We have a massive welfare safety net and a highly progressive tax system, wityh most houesholds with an income of less than $50,000 paying no net tax.
The current government is a left wing, progressive government committed to a considerable role in ensuring wellbeing through income redistribution.
You are raving against a myth.
“The current government is a left wing, progressive government committed to a considerable role in ensuring wellbeing through income redistribution.”
Srylands, you are a dangerously deluded individual and I hope your minders don’t let you play with scissors. Speaking of playtime, the library logon says mine is almost over but that’s ok, I have some very exciting paintings to return to. I imagine you just have more inanities to vomit onto these pages whilst ignoring the wealth of accurate information numerous people have tried to share with you these past months.
Hopefully it will begin to sink in soon that your shonKey dogma loving platitudes to greed are about as boring as any seen here over recent years, and if I may add, are sadly devoid of the entertainment value more enlightened tr0lls attempt to deliver.
Have a nice day.
p.s. if this is a left wing government,
I hate to think what side of the road you drive on!
“We have a massive welfare safety net and a highly progressive tax system, wityh most houesholds with an income of less than $50,000 paying no net tax.”
Which government minister’s office do you work in?
And you’re a fucking nutter!
Less than $50,000 paying no net tax!?
Just because you can say it doesn’t make it true, srylands.
Families are struggling to keep their heads above water in an economy with high unemployment and oligopolies sucking every last cent out of them and you come out with that crap.
What a piece of shit.
“Less than $50,000 paying no net tax!?
Just because you can say it doesn’t make it true, srylands.”
There are obviously some receiving WFF who effectively pay no income tax, although will be subject to other taxes and levies.
http://www.msd.govt.nz/documents/about-msd-and-our-work/publications-resources/monitoring/household-income-report/key-findings-2013-4.doc
“An example is that single-earner two-child families with income less than around $60,000 from wages pay no net income tax. They receive more from Working for Families tax credits than they pay in income tax and ACC.”
““Less than $50,000 paying no net tax!?
Just because you can say it doesn’t make it true, srylands.”
Um no me saying it does not make it true. The data makes it true. I should clarify I am talking about net income tax. I am simply stating the obviouis. The combination of the welfare and income tax system is highly redistributve. There is no “trickle down” experiment. More like gushing down through a government constructed pipe.
http://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2011/07/net_taxpayers.html
Of course, your statements are faulty, wealth continues to gush upwards, as it normally does in a capitalist regime.
The bottom 50% of NZers have zero net worth, the top 10% almost have as much as the rest put together.
God you’re a joke. Typical useless lying right wing crap, cherry picking extreme cases while ignoring the situations that normally occur.
For fucks sakeyou don’t even realise that WFF is a subsidy to NZ businesses so they can pay shittier wages.
It’s impossible to avoid the conclusion that you are simply a complete and utter piece of shit.
Except Srylands you said NET TAX, not net INCOME tax.
Just as you did when we called you on the same bullshit a while ago.
Which is just the sort of lying by omission Key did so well on the Campbell live interview.
Apart from the fact that working for families is a subsidy for employers, who do not pay decent wages, a little arithmetic would show you that the family above would still be net tax positive.
After income tax and ACC which almost pays WFF, they also pay at least 15% of their remaining income in tax, GST, as low income families spend all their income. They do not have enough money to buy shares inpower companies, or have net savings.
On the other hand 178 of the around 300 richest families, the exact figures have disappeared off the IRD website, (Surprise) in NZ, had declared taxable income of less than 70k a year.
As wealthy people use a much higher proportion of tax payer provided resources, they are most definitely tax negative.
Most of the tax is, in fact, paid by PAYE tax payers in the middle percentiles. More than 60% of income tax.
Earn enough to pay PAYE, but not enough to pay a tax accountant.
I am proud to rave against the myth that sorryhands and other neoliberals rave in favour of.
Don’t we know that yeshe and Chooky! Last night watching the Campbell live interview I had wondered if shonkey had popped an upper before the show. He was alert, focused and calm. 100% A grade spin that fools the fools who vote for him. It put me in mind again of what it will be like during the election debates next year with Shearer, if he is still there heaven forbid.
And y’know, it’s politically important that Shearer speaks at Monday nights GCSB bill meeting at the Ak town hall. Mostly it’s important for him. What I worry about is that he will become unquestionably popular simply for speaking and that people will confuse his opposition to the bill (if that is how he does indeed feel) for ability and begin to support him, and the destabilisation campaign will lose power. We can be real suckers like that. We need a main opposition party that tears the National Government apart with quick wits and intellect.
Cunliffe could have Key in a total fluster in a debate but I fear that if we still have Shearer it will be him who will be in a total fluster.
“Cunliffe could have Key in a total fluster in a debate but I fear that if we still have Shearer it will be him who will be in a total fluster.”
I totally agree. The only problem with Cunliffe is that he comes across as arrogant and thinking he’s superior to everyone. The way he treats the media is a good example, as well as the last group he needs to be treating like this. He’s sharp and has the smarts to deal to Key like nobody else currently within Labour. He just needs to lose that arrogant streak and he could do wonders. And if he doesn’t but becomes leader nonetheless then Labour just ends up with the same problem it has now: a leader people can’t relate to.
I have a different view of him, having only had one conversation with him. But I found him personable, direct, and mercifully without that ghastly, “working the room” quality.
My cousin knows David Cunliffe very well through the party , and finds him very friendly and personable and not arrogant or superior at all. Just another story spread by the ABC gang.
Uh, no he doesn’t.
CV +1
Mary, stop repeating the stupid baseless crap formulated by Grant and Trevor and repeated ad nauseam by their acolytes along the corridor.
Cunliffe is highly respected by the leading Public Servants who have worked with him in Government and in Opposition.
Cunliffe is highly respected by the interest/industry/lobby groups who have worked with him in Government and in Opposition.
Cunliffe is highly respected by the Labour people who heard him during the Nov’11 Leadership debates. To our cost and shame the Membership were ignored by the losers in Caucus.
Cunliffe is loved by the voters of West Auckland who dumped a Nat for him (Titirangi) and who give him 5,000 votes more that they gave Labour under the ABCs (New Lynn).
http://www.parliament.nz/en-nz/mpp/electorates/data/DBHOH_Lib_EP_New%20Lynn_Data_3/new-lynn-electoral-profile
I have never noticed any arrogance in Cunliffe. I have noticed it in Goff, Hipkins, Mallard, and King. I can’t for the life of me see where that idea comes from. Even on his Facebook page, he actually interacts with people.
But the problem with your Man Cunliffe is a large portion of the Larbour MPs hate his guts. So until there is a cleanout of the old gaurd Labour (and silent T) are screwed.
I blame Helen for this farce. She could of/should of done the deed.
@ David C
You cant blame Helen for the present Roger caucus!…..she kept the Labour ship afloat and only just I would think….that was sufficient and a magnificent feat in itself !……with that motley crew of pirates breathing down her neck…. watching and waiting
I can and I do.
Helen should have told a dozen of the old drones to f**k off and not come back 5 years ago after they dropped the 08 election. Perfect timing. You guys would not be in this mess now if she had.
@ David C
…..easier said by you than done by her
no way. Helen is twice the Man I will ever be 🙂
@ DavidC …sounds sexist to me
+ 1
+1
I’m hearing (admittedly vague) rumours that things are starting to move on the useless Shearer/saviour Cunliffe situation.
Patrick Gower has a letter…
🙂
that reply was supposed to have a grin attached to it for mcflock !
Goff’s strategy in game theory terms seems to be to outwit, outplay, and outlast .. and then discover he is the only one left of his generation.
Is ‘absolutely’ the most over-used word in the new, in, buzzwords list? Absolutely! I am absolutely sick of hearing it. A simple yes without extra emphasis is usually quite sufficient to indicate agreement.
Yes it is, it has been overused for about the last ten years. You have to agree, it sounds all knowing when someone is giving bull shit. Keep an eye out for the bullshitters and notice how they use “absolutely” Absolutely
You are absolutely correct.
Absolutely !
Ha, well done fella’s, it is nice to get a laugh on here at times.
On Key, Campbell, GCSB and Shearer … Russell Brown sums it up very well:
http://publicaddress.net/hardnews/fluency-ease-of-manner-and-norton-antivirus/
Required reading for Labour MPs.
Fear not. The Feeds on the right currently have parts of them turned off. We’ve been having high CPU at the server since the weekend. I’m testing the new parts of the system to determine where it is coming from.
The current suspicion is focused on the thumbnail images in the feed. And that looks like being the winner.
Any chance the RSS links could be changed to open in the browser window or new tab instead of a popup (or whatever that’s called)?
LightBox. There is a method behind the madness, and it has to do with the other behaviours already available. What you are requesting is already available – these are standard browser behaviours.
In Chrome on Linux, on the link…
Shift-Click will open the link in a a new browser window.
Ctrl-Shift-Click will open the link in a a new browser tab.
Right-click gives a context menu with “open in new tab”, “open in new window”, and “open in incognito window” as well as several other actions.
Tablets should have “hold finger down in link” to pop up the context menu (works fine in chrome on Nexus 7 – android 4.2.2). That gives me “Open in new tab”, “Open in incognito tab” and a few other options.
Now why it is different from any of these. It is the expectation about what the Feed is used for – mostly fast quick glancing..
The default action on the Click on the link would normally be to “open in this tab”. Now while that would be good for our page views as people go back and forth (depending on how the browser caches), it makes everything quite a lot slower for doing the page renders when you come back.
That incidentally, is why the the default behaviour for links clicked in the posts or comments is to “open in new tab”. Most people will read the link in the new tab and then kill the tab to go back to TS – without suffering a render delay.
I could “open in new tab” rather than a LightBox. But this really the Feed is meant to mostly give you an idea of what is in other sites rather than give you more tabs. I seem to wind up with at least 20 open most of the time with work browsing, personal browsing, mail, trac, svn, TS admin pages etc etc…
By putting it into a lightbox it makes it easier to have a faster deeper peek than the excerpt, provides a action that isn’t in the context menu, and helps with the “glance at that”, close, “glance at the next interesting one” that the Feed is meant to foster.
The place where it is a pain is if you’re on a tablet and you don’t have good context menus – ie safari on a iPad (and I think Chrome is like that on iPads too).recently.
Personally I’d like to just add a button to the LightBox to “open in new tab” that closes the light box and opens up the site with a wider drill down. I’d actually like to do that on the links inside the site as well.
Don’t confuse popularity with trust offered up as the wages of integrity. History generally forgets cheap current popularity and tells a very different story as to substance. To wit……..Muldoon. Even the National Party dismisses him. Any fool knows that a huge input to the preferred prime minister polls is the glitter sprinkled on the turd of incumbency.
Fortunately stench bests glitter. Problem is that much may be corrupted in the interim.
Your writing delights, thank you, North ! Your final three sentences .. most entertaining I’ve read in weeks. And on the money, too.
Schrillands families pay more gst because they spend all their money on food clothing electricity education housing transport!
Then their children grow up unlike you and become taxpayers!
Australia like you have been misleading pays far more in family supports than NZ.
Schrillands trying to pull the wool again 47% ters Romney style aye sheep shagger schrill!
I didn’t follow any of that.
So Labour are supporting Paula Bennet’s anti-child abusers legislation yeah?
Can we tack on an extra to the bill, requiring all child abusers to wear special arm bands in public, so we can safeguard our children please?
Been a few months since the last privacy fuckup? Time for another.
An ACC case manager hand-wrote detailed notes on 35 to 125 ACC clients (including bank account info), took the notebook home (wtf? A notebook?) from where it was promptly stolen. Oh, and Key’s response was to bullshit with “It’s probably…” and come up with a reasonable excuse.
Hell, it might have been anything on a scale from nefarious through careless into merely unlucky, but it was nice to see the bullshitter be completely relaxed about making shit up yet again.
@ CV….this Paula Bennet Nat Bill makes the Labour ‘nanny state’ and anti- smacking bill look tame!
An offer he couldn’t refuse.
“I was faced with the choice of watching it suffer or putting it to sleep quietly… it was very difficult,” he told Democracy Now. “I had to pick between the lesser of two evils.”
What was that other choice? “Unfortunately, I can’t talk about that,” Levison said during today’s interview. “I would like to, believe me. I think that if the American people knew what our government was doing, they wouldn’t be allowed to do it anymore. My hope is that the media can uncover what’s going on without my assistance” and pressure Congress, he said. Together with Lavabit’s own efforts working through the court system, he hopes it can “put a cap on what the government is entitled to in terms of our private communications.”
http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2013/08/lavabit-founder-under-gag-order-speaks-out-about-shut-down-decision/
Iprent you have done a good job of fixing smart phone access what about a TS app