If you’re doing it for free, I suggest you put a few dozen comments in a portfolio and send it to Carrick Graham. Might be worth a few thou a month, the work you put in…
What many people don’t know is that you can vote at age 16 in Scotland. These young people aren’t going to be swayed by the establishment telling them what is good for them/what they should do and will vote for the cause (independence).
Not so. Teenagers, generally, are often conservative in attitude and less engaged in the political process. And a significant number in Scotland see themselves as British first, Scottish second.
The 16-24 age group are currently 47 YES and 53 NO at present. The u-18s started out Cautious/NO: many moved to don’t know and then to YES. This pattern has applied across the board. As Don’t Knows go to YES rather than NO at a rate of 5:1 I expect the Youth will make a difference. http://yougov.co.uk/news/2014/09/12/full-results-times-sun-140911-scottish-referendum/
The Tory Party was in a slow decline since the 1960s but went into a nose-dive under Thatcher. Unfortunately Westminster Labour lost touch with its roots and the Scottish outcome will cause the English Labour Party to either find its soul or become totally irrelevant.
“The Labour Party is finished in Scotland. After the YES vote (results out mid-day Friday onward NZ Time) and Independence in March 2014 Labour will lose its 42 Scottish MPs.”
Yeah, nah. Labour and the SNP are both polling in the 30’s in Scotland. If anything, Labour’s support for the union will solidify their Scottish vote at the next general election.
Alister Darling, Gordon Brown, Danny Alexandwer and many other senior Labour people have been seen to be the Tories poodles in the IndyRef. They have been part of “Project Fear”: they have used the Tory tactic of telling voters that prices and unemployment will go up and that all types of pestilence will rain down on them if they vote the other side. 50% of people who voted Labour in the last Holyrood election are now voting against the Labour led NO Campaign.
Here is the list of Labour Westminster MPs who will be unemeployed after Independence.
Danny Alexander, Douglas Alexander
Willie Bain , Gordon Banks, Anne Begg, Gordon Brown
Russell Brown, Malcolm Bruce, Iain McKenzie, Menzies Campbell
Alistair Carmichael, Katy Clark, Tom Clarke, Michael Connarty
Michael Crockart, Margaret Curran, Alistair Darling, Ian Davidson
Thomas Docherty, Brian Donohoe, Frank Doran, Gemma Doyle
Sheila Gilmore , Tom Greatrex, David Hamilton, Tom Harris
Jimmy Hood, Stewart Hosie, Cathy Jamieson, Eric Joyce
Charles Kennedy, Mark Lazarowicz, Angus MacNeil, Michael McCann, Gregg McClymont, Jim McGovern, Anne McGuire, Ann McKechin
Michael Moore, Graeme Morrice, David Mundell, Jim Murphy
Ian Murray, Pamela Nash, Fiona O’Donnell, Sandra Osborne
Alan Reid, Angus Robertson, John Robertson, Frank Roy
Lindsay Roy, Anas Sarwar, James Sheridan, Robert Smith
Jo Swinson, John Thurso, Michael Weir, Eilidh Whiteford
Pete Wishart
Your comment makes no sense, staffer, either politically or numerically. The referendum position the Labour party supports is also supported by a majority of eligible Scottish voters. That’s not going to hurt Labour in Scotland one little bit, and that is reflected in recent polling, which puts Labour and the SNP both in the 30’s. That level of support will remain electorally valid, whether or not Scotland votes for independence. Sorry to have to inject some reality into the discussion, but there you have it.
The UK Labour Party, along with the Tories, supports the Union.
Up to 50% of previously Labour voters are rejecting the Party on this matter. They are significantly less likey to vote for Scottish Labour again given the disgust many of them feel towards the scare tactics NO campaign.
Notwitstanding all that, Scotish politics will reshape over the next few years. When the Independence issue is put to rest with a YES vote on Thursday one of the maindrivers of the SNP has evaporated.
A purely Scottish Labour party will form: my contention is that will have no relationship with the current UK Labour Party and it be significantly smaller that the 30% it got at the last Holyrood elections.
The Scots facing the same issue of a biased media supporting the establishment
It’s not bias, it’s dishonesty.
Will the BBC issue a swift public apology for lying to the Scottish people so blatantly? Remember: YOU pay for the BBC. Are men like Nick Robinson the people you really want to trust?
I think the kind of “reporting” exposed in this video is exactly why pensioners are slow to join the “Yes” campaign; they’re the least likely demographic to be active on social media and therefore have no alternate source of information to dispel the blatant lies of media outlets like the BBC.
This is an uphill struggle, no doubt. But stay the course, do what you can, share the relevant media, and vote YES!
Both pieces of footage used in this video were filmed on the 11th of September 2014. Nick Robinson’s report was broadcast on the six o’clock news mere hours after the international conference shown in the second piece of footage.
Herald this morning – “……..the news that Australia has raised its terror alert to the second-highest level would have sent more shudders down more spines than any filing cabinet full of the documents that Dotcom and the American journalist Glenn Greenwald may have.”
Good old John Armstrong aye……..framing it for John Key before he/we even know what’s in that filing cabinet ?
Key this morning with Espiner sounding more and more like Farrar: “in the end”…”ultimately”…”initially” and “look..look” about 10 times and as Espiner obviously detected, no substantial information in between the cliches.
[r0b: Deleted in moderation. You have posted versions of that comment several times here on The Standard, as well as other forums. It is becoming spam – enough.]
I came home yesterday to find thick envelopes from national and local Conservative Party candidates printed on glossy paper with what seemed like acres of white space.
One featured an emaciated character staring fixedly at camera backed by a grinning rouges gallery including a woman with partially peroxided hair and violet-red lipstick.
Compounding these fashion crimes was a wishy-washy pale shade of blue headlining lack of conviction and a point by point comparison with New Zealand First on the other side. Is someone trying to get rid of Winston Peters ?
Raa
I got the conservative one. The photos are as you described. Reminded me of a joke photo some years ago with a bunch of monkey like morons (apologies to morons) with the caption “Our qualified and capable staff are here to serve you”
Batsh*t Colin grinning like a toothy nutty bush baby, Rankin that family friendly woman who is a great consolidator of marital relationships, Garth wotsisname and the other forgettables ….Geez what a bunch of visual f*ckwits.
To think they could remotely consider themselves as my (read your) leaders.
Incidentally I don’t actually want or need a leader, especially ones like these.
This article by lawyer Denis Tegg is a very good good clear summary of questions with implications for John Key’s NACT government
….especially question number 9. …about whether New Zealand could now be sharing information with Mossad on New Zealanders? ( We have already seen Slater’s connections with Israel…what other NZ journalists and PR operators also have connections with Israel?)
….this question if proved to be true has VERY SERIOUS IMPLICATIONS for New Zealand’s sovereignty , independence and democracy…and Foreign Relations…United Nations status….participant in the World Court and world justice system …and Human Rights and the justice system for New Zealanders!
‘Which of John Key’s many statements on the GCSB will Glenn Greenwald challenge and refute?’
By Denis Tegg / September 15, 2014 /
“We already have Glenn Greenwald’s assertion on The Nation that John Key has misled New Zealanders as to whether the GCSB has engaged in mass surveillance of Kiwis. But Key has made many other statements about the GCSB’s powers and activities. So which of these other public statements made by Key will Glenn Greenwald challenge and refute ?….
Don’t get me wrong, it’s an important issue. It’s just that personally, if those guys knew the full truth of my life, they wouldn’t spend thousands “surveilling” me. I’d just tell them up front what they don’t want to hear, what they can’t bear to hear. A single fifty cent 9x19mmm parabellum from the American division of Kmart could save them heaps of time and cash. Those guys have killed so many “by accident” and “in self defence” why on earth would they hesitate with me? Or you?
“His comments on this matter have changed considerably, almost every single day so I’m not actually entirely certain what it is that he is denying…” Glen Greenwald on the Prime Minister’s preemptive rebuttle.
This was my contribution to yesterday’s ‘Off Key’ concert in Wellington to support artistic freedom and protest the censorship of Darren Watson’s ‘Planet Key’ song and music video. I’m posting it here before real-life political shenanigans overtake anything satire can conceive.
Heh. What would you put in them? Beans, nuts (for a bit of texture), and herbs I suppose. A binding agent might be a problem as eggs are not allowed I take it?
Oh, just while we’re in the lifestyle section of The Standard, I would like to add that I have switched tofu allegiances. Whilst living in Auckland it was always Tonzu tofu, as Tonzu is made there (and pay their staff living wage), here in Wellington it has always been Hing’s as that’s made here, but recently I ventured out and tried the Soyworks one. It is a winner, hands down!
The G.E free soy is grown right here in NZ, in Nelson and the flavour (yes, flavour!) of the tofu is something else. My tofu biryani will never be the same! Looking forward to it in summer on the BBQ with grilled polenta, marinated mushrooms and my home made salsa!
Great work Grant. Hope you don’t mind that I’ve shared it on facebook (and potentially got you in the shame shit as Darren Watson and Jeremy Jones now…)
I’m fairly sure it doesn’t breach the Electoral Act, but when they come and drag me away to Satire Prison I’ll shout “Curse you, Riffer!” just for laughs.
“The answer to this question at the heart of the upcoming referendum appears to be no. If we ask who ranks as the most hated public figure in Great Britain during the twentieth century, the answer might well turn out to be the very Scottish Field Marshal Douglas Haig, a scion of the famous whiskey distillery. As supreme commander of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) in France and Belgium, the Edinburgh-born Haig became infamous as one of the greatest butchers of World War I with his futile frontal attacks at places likes Ypres and Loos. Worst of all, Haig was responsible for the most catastrophic single day in all of British military history with his bungling, incompetent attack plan for the July 1916 offensive on the Somme river, which resulted in 20,000 dead and 40,000 wounded during the first 24 hours, and 625,000 total casualties over five months – all to gain a few miles of terrain.”
Further ..
“There is no reason to expect better leadership from the medievalist banker-demagogue Alex Salmond (..), Scottish Prime Minister and boss of the Scottish National Party, who cynically offers pseudo-independence as the universal panacea.”
An excerpt from the latest piece from the impartial jonolist, Tracy Watkins:
“As the final week of the campaign begins, the latest stuff.co.nz/Ipsos poll has Labour on barely 22 per cent. At Glen Innes yesterday Cunliffe posed a lonely figure as one of his MPs took to a megaphone to round up stragglers for a street corner meeting. Across town, Key was a political rock star – mobbed, patted, loved.”
( quite a part from anything else …bugger the polls!…the msm polls are lying…Labour is going to do well on Election DAY …especially when the undecided and former non voters get out and VOTE!)
I need some help here please, I want National gone as they’ve done a decent job the last couple of years but the sleaze and underhand tactics is simply too much so I’m thinking the best way to remove National is party vote Labour however this article from whaleoil (its a guest post) raises some issues with potential conflicts of interest
While i’m loathe to take onboard anything from the site the post itself raises some questions so I’m wondering if anyone can say theres no potential for conflict of interest or should I be looking towards the Greens?
[lprent: You look to me as being more like a “concern” troll. All of the usual types of comments. ]
I’m not willing to click through to WO and many others here will be the same. Even people who do click through are unlikely to give WO any credence. Can you outline what the issues are that you are concerned about?
Party voting Labour or the GP, either is best support for a change in govt.
[lprent: “to be fair” (that awful phrase that really means “I am about to try to stick the knife in”, Disturbed tried to drop the entire contents of the post on this site. Classic denier astroturfer. But we’ll let him dribble on a bit for amusement. I see that they have already gotten warnings from several people. ]
Why not do your homework on who would stand to gain or lose by attacking her? Because they will be paying Whaleoil for that service. I think there’s a book written on this somewhere.
Ask around about who attacked Karen as David he smashed the Telecom monopoly.
Unlike people here, we don’t take money from multinationals to attack political and commercial opponents.
BTW, if you really want to slander her, you will end up facing the toughest defamation lawyers in town. Trust me you do not want to be on the losing side of that one. Think hard before you go there.
“Its not the policies so much as the possibility of a massive conflict of interest ala Oravida which is one of the reasons I’m not voting National”
You’re not making sense Undecided. What’s the conflict of interest? Bear in mind that probably no-one here is going to read the article, so if you don’t clarify what *you* want to know you will probably get treated as a trole by more than just OAB.
Its a very long article but essentially its suggesting there might be a conflict of interest between Karen Price being involved with carbon trading and her husband
However if people won’t read it (and thats fine I understand why) then theres really not much more to be said
Which party is Karen standing for? And what’s it got to do with her husband, whoever he may be? Is the husband not capable of independent thought and action in your opinion?
and, more precisely, until “undecided” can point out an instance where cunliffe travels halfway across the globe on the public purse with the apparent primary objective of violating the Cabinet Manual by publicly endorsing his spouse’s company, there’s no comparison whatsoever.
Ok, that’s an extremely longwinded post about CC and polluter pays taxation that I can’t be bothered reading. It’s apparently written by a ‘long time reader’ of WO, for what that’s worth (which is less than bugger all).
If on the off chance you are not just link-whoring, I suggest that you read the policies of the GP and Labour on their websites and then come back here and ask specific questions. If you have read the article you should be able to describe the conflicts of interest pretty easily.
I read most of it but I confess the dullness of the article didn’t help, I vote not so much on policies but on who I believe is working the best for NZ (which may not be the best way to vote) and articles like this does push me towards the Greens
Undecided, you would be wise to take Aunty Chooky’s advice.
A couple of things:
You need to ask yourself why you are being influenced by whale oil when everyone knows he is at the heart of the sleaze and underhand tactics you refer to.
You need to know that Karen Price will not be the leader of the next government. David Cunliffe will.
You also need to consider whether you are in an electorate such as Epsom or Ohariu where tactical voting is a pressing issue. If so you need to consider your electorate as well as party vote.
Good luck with voting the government out.
PS: Giving you the benefit of the doubt here and assuming you are asking a genuine question and not being a you -know -what t***l.
You need to ask yourself why you are being influenced by whale oil when everyone knows he is at the heart of the sleaze and underhand tactics you refer to.
– Thats why I’m not voting National, i want a change of government
You need to know that Karen Price will not be the leader of the next government. David Cunliffe will.
– Thats the thing though, is there a potential conflict of interest going on here similar to Oravida? Another reason I’m not voting National.
You also need to consider whether you are in an electorate such as Epsom or Ohariu where tactical voting is a pressing issue. If so you need to consider your electorate as well as party vote.
– Where i live its cut and dried whos getting in
Giving you the benefit of the doubt here and assuming you are asking a genuine question and not being a you -know -what t***l.
– National have done a good job the last couple of years dealing with the GFC and earthquakes and I’d be voting for them now but for the behind the scenes sleaze and lies and half truths but because National is doing it doesn’t mean Labour isn’t (they may or may not be)
So since i’m changing my vote on the sleazy things National has done it means that i’m not keen on voting Labour if it looks like they doing the same things that National have been doing so I’m leaning towards Green
Yet I also know that the best chance to change the government is party vote Labour
Like i say conflicted, maybe tonight will clarify things
So, what it boils down to is you feel unsure about Karen Price’s influence on her husband should he become leader? (still going with the idea that you’re not t****ing).
The idea that “because National did then Labour does is it too” is a right wing meme promoted by the Government and supported by the right wing media. (see the reporting and opinion from stuff.co.nz and The Herald over the last month) It was one of the easiest and lamest ways that the Government could respond to the crisis that the publication of Dirty Politics created.
It is no more a sophisticated response than your average seven year old would give when found guilty of some form of unacceptable behaviour. (sorry seven year olds!)
If you’ve read Dirty Politics you’ll know that New Zealand has never in it’s history seen such a level of corruption, dishonesty and deceit at it’s centre of political power. This unparalleled series of events is relatively recent in our history. It is unique. It’s probably not what you expect as a National voter right?
Don’t buy into the meme that other leaders are capable of such a stunning lack of integrity. Such sociopathy is rare and it is our responsibility to keep those with such traits out of power.
@ Undecided 11.36
This is priceless. National have done a good job the last couple of years dealing with the GFC and earthquakes and I’d be voting for them now but for the behind the scenes sleaze and lies and half truths but because National is doing it doesn’t mean Labour isn’t (they may or may not be)
You silly person, you have given thinking a try and learned to put words together in a sentence and sent an early draft to us. There is a lot of work to do yet before you deserve to get the kind help you are asking for. Do your homework before you come to The Standard. Don’t waste our time. Come back next year.
This is a reply to Warbs, not sure where it will turn up, run out of reply buttons.
Yeah, I saw that support for all the amazing work National has done with the GFC and CHCH. I chose to completely ignore that as there’s no point arguing with that – it just diverts the course of conversation. I thought it might be useful to park that belief (and it is a belief, it’s not knowledge) to one side and focus what Undies is really trying to say and ask.
Could be completely wasting our time, Undies could easily be a t***l, has all the hallmarks BUT what if he/she isn’t?
Rather than attack them for their support for National prior to Dirty Politics is it not better to set an example of those on the Left by cooperating with those on the Right in an effort to help them out? For all we know this could be a genuine question from a sincere person. It’s not impossible for former National voters to be disgusted with their party’s behaviour and take their votes away from them is it? If anything, good on them for not denying it as so many stuff type commenters do.
Not everyone has the same level of political engagement as the folks of the Standard Community and if we can help out when RW folks have a genuine querie that’s a good thing. Education an’ all!
Hi weka. Yes, got that with the reply button, it’s what I’ve been doing. I never quite know if the comment is going to land where I expect it to 🙂
I’ve ruled out Undies as being genuine as he/she would have been back to follow up. Or maybe they had to get back to work, I don’t know. I won’t bother again.
I was prompted to respond as we’ve had quite a bit of feedback at PPO about strategic voting, and people asking advice about how to vote Dunne out. You would be amazed at how many people just don’t know the basics of MMP. So I’ve got into a pattern of responding to those sorts of queries.
I agree, we really need a civics education programme in NZ.
I know what you mean about wanting to give people the benefit of the doubt. I started with Undies on that too wherease OAB went straight to trole patrol. But like you I am aware of the many readers and reckon it’s better to not either just call the commenter a trole and be done with it, or present useful information.
Now that’s a damn good idea! Party Vote Green!
But the Green’s would have nothing to do with that sleaze bag, and won’t condescend to advertise there, (along with P&S, and many others) so I guess he has to suggest you Party Vote Green in his post..
See I’m thinking Green because they seem to be more keen on doing right for NZ but Labour with more party vote will more likely get a change of government
A zero-sum game. Do you think anyone is going to fall for the idea that the Left vote can be boosted by carefully choosing which of Labour/Greens you vote for?
Spread Cameron Slater’s effluent then ask a very stupid question like a complete innocent.
edit, even if undecided is doing what you suggest, the many other people reading this may need clarification rather than having to wade through contempt and ridicule. Lots of people still don’t understand how MMP works.
Then I suggest they seek out the Electoral Commission’s website: this is a forum for partisan political opinion, with a minor infestation of right wing tr*lls whose expressed aim is to seek a low turnout.
Either that or work out the meaning of “zero-sum game”.
“See I’m thinking Green because they seem to be more keen on doing right for NZ but Labour with more party vote will more likely get a change of government”
That’s not true. Labour will have to use the GP to form govt. Under MMP it doesn’t matter if Labour has one less MP and the GP one more, or vice versa. It’s the total that counts. So, vote for either, whichever one you prefer.
Well you learn something everyday, see I thought that the stronger the Green representation was in government the stronger the influence they could exert
For example if the Greens had 1/3 of the seats in government they’d have more influence then if they had 1/4
So spell it out because all I’m trying to confirm is whether to vote Labour or Greens and all you’re doing is talking in circles without saying anything of substance
Simple: if you were sincere I’d tell you to vote for either of them: it’s a zero-sum game so far as I’m concerned.
What I’m predicting is that you will pretend that Slater’s smear (the one you’ve been promoting) is putting you off Labour, to later pretend that another smear has put you off the Greens too.
Of course that includes besmirching your character, and the alternative is to assume you don’t know what a zero-sum game is and you’re too stupid to understand Slater’s toxicity.
Blogs, media, TV, Newspapers as I find reading policies is a great way to cure insomnia which i know isn’t a good way of forming beliefs but genrally i find politics to be quite boring
Here’s a prediction for you. Once Slater has pushed his conflict of interest lie, the ratfuckers will all pretend that they’re being drawn towards the Greens.
Then Slater will make up another smear against the Greens, and all his little helpers will announce that they’re all as bad as one another but at least National will be a stable government.
yes another reason why one should never go near Slater’s whaleoil…it is a pollutant of the Truth…and way too tricky for the average punter…especially those that need ‘Politics for Dummies’…i sympathise with Undecided…he/she needs to de-tox and then make a decision to vote for Labour or the Greens imo…these are the most solid bets with the best past form of opposition to John Key’s Nactional
Quite possibly he will however the last few years there hasn’t been any sort of scandel to have affected the Greens, no real conflicts of interested, no real election law breakings or financial irregularities so probably won’t find much traction there
@ Undecided ….from Aunty Chooky ( you must NEVER go on whaleoil..it is bad for you!)
…the Greens will do well!….they can look after themselves…however if you want to vote Green for the environment and everything else …go ahead!…GOOD CHOICE…because they are married to Labour and will influence Labour
…otherwise VOTE LABOUR….because they need your VOTE to get rid of Nactional and dirty politics
…as a wild card is Internet MANA….also well deserving of your VOTE…because it is at the vanguard of attacking dirty politics and corruption of New Zealand’s democracy and NZer’s human rights !…and it is for ALL New Zealand kids and free tertiary education
Winnie and NZF will also look after themselves and will probably be a partner of Labour ….they are also for New Zealand for New Zealanders and their rights to their own land, housing , State Assets… and for NZ democracy…which is under attack at the moment
It is a beat up. Every one of the national party caucus have much larger potential conflicts of interest. Even if you only look at their declared interests.
Tory hoardings around my way have had a large sticker added to them saying that ‘every party vote is important’. Nothing wrong with the wording, but, presumably in order to confuse or mislead the public, they have used the Electoral Commission’s own colour, orange, for the sticker. Apparently, a party vote for National is now authorised by the Commission.
In reality, according to the Electoral Commission, orange is not allowed to be used by political parties because it can confuse or mislead. I’m guessing that the Nats misunderstood that injunction to be an endorsement of their usual behaviour.
Touche! To be fair, I’m unsure whether things added to already authorised signage are covered by the original authorisation and if Labour are doing it, I’m sure it’s OK ;)*
However, the orange colour, and its misuse, are clearly covered. This picture may also breach the law:
Yep, I think that’s the ones, Tracey (not one close to where I am for me to check, unfortunately). Wording like ‘only a party vote for Labour can change the government’? I’m told that they all have the authorisation notice because that is what is required by the Act. Funny that the Tory ones apparently don’t comply with the law.
Philadelphia is poised to become the largest U.S. city to decriminalize marijuana. Mayor Michael Nutter has pledged to sign a City Council bill imposing a $25 fine for possession of an ounce or less of pot. Those cited would reportedly have to appear before a judge, but would not have a criminal record. People caught smoking pot in public would face a $100 fine, which could be waived through community service. The measure could prevent thousands of arrests each year.
Key says Rennie put forward Fletcher’s name @ 40 secs but changes his story @1.46 in, and Very Unusually was actually queried on it by a journalist @ 1.55 and repeats truth or lie @2.05mins. Only video I’ve seen and still able to access that shows him lying.
yep..!..internet/mana have the strongest cannabis policy..(pun intentional..)
..and laila harre has stated her ‘personal commitment’ to ending cannabis prohibition..
..it doesn’t get much better thn that for cannabis activists..
..i really hope those 12,000 people who voted for the aotearoa legalise cannabis party in 2011..can also see that..
..and will this time cast their vote for the best chance for cannabis-reform we have had since forever…
..the internet/mana party..
..and i hope they heed the words of one of their (deserved) heroes..the longtime cannabis-warrior dakta green..
..i am sure he won’t mind if i paste his reply to my open letter to the aotearoa legalise cannabis party..
..this issue is very important..those 12,000 voters are one and a half times the total number of people who went to the internet/mana roadshow up and down the country..
..that is a serious wedge of voters..
..and i really hope laila harre is reaching out to them..as we speak..
..(here is the good dakta..)
“..daktagreen says:
12/9/2014 at 12:40 am (Edit)
Phillip Ure. I was part way thru writing a piece with similar sentiments when your letter appeared. My piece had neither the style nor wit of yours so please allow me to endorse your thoughtful and timely letter addressed to all cannabis law reform activists.
I am well known for my activities around cannabis law reform. I have been fielding questions for some weeks asking why am I not voting ALCP. My answer has remained consistant. I want my vote to count.
As a member of Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party I stood in the Mt Albert by-election following Helen Clark’s resignation. Not for one second did I think I could win in Mt Albert. But the campaign gave me a good reason to drive a big green bus around town with ‘Legalise Cannabis’ emblazoned down the side and park in front of a captive audience. If I was able to educate anybody about issues surrounding cannabis then that was a bonus.
I was planning to stand for ALCP last election in the New Lynn electorate where I lived at The Daktory. Judge Gittos sentenced me to a term of imprisonment which would have had me released in time to campaign. Unfortunately, the Court of Appeal on a Crown application increased my sentence from eight months to twenty three months. My political activities last election were therefore limited to casting my vote in prison for the ALCP.
I have made it clear to my friends and supporters that I cannot and will not waste my vote as a form of protest. We must all vote strategically. I have suggested people vote for any party other than the morally bankrupt administration of Key and his minions including his bum-boy parties Act and United Future. But today that is no longer enough. We must be more targeted.
There is no room for a protest vote. This election is much more important.
I love the Greens but cannabis law reform is my priority whilst saving the world is theirs. Greens will continue to grow in size and stature because they are right. But my party vote is valuable and I must use it carefully. My party vote becomes more valuable when it may be just the vote needed to get another MP from Internet/Mana into Parliament.
I want Laila Harre to represent my interests in Parliament.
Whilst the Greens would normally get my support, I believe the Internet/Mana ticket will be the sleeper this election. Some weeks ago I predicted Internet/Mana will poll between 6 and 8% on election day. I have seen little in the last few weeks to change my mind.
Just 3% of the Party vote will see Laila Harre in Parliament.
As a country we have endured a bruising six years under Team Key. The issue this election is leadership. National have played dirty one time to many.
Hone Harawira has transformed from activist to statesman as the Mana movement has grown and matured. Mana have clearly defined goals I can support.
I endorse Laila Harre and the Internet Party to represent me and the cannabis community in Parliament.
Just had a conversation with a left voting friend who doesn’t follow politics but she reckons that thing about so many people don’t use the MSM for their political information. Does anyone know what the figures are on how many people still get their news predominantly from the TV and radion networks or newpapers (irrespective of whether they are accessing them online or not)?
Oh dear oh dear.Transmission gully Wellington Gateway Partnership (WGP) ppp Australian partner is under investigation by Australian federal police.
Federal police probing alleged bribery by Leighton Holdings are finalising a brief of evidence to present to prosecutors in what looms as Australia’s next major white-collar crime case.
The revelations come with Fairfax Media obtaining a freshly leaked batch of company files, including correspondence between two top Leighton executives in 2011 describing a “disgusting history of incompetence and misbehaviour” and improper “rewards, special bonuses, travel rorts” in the company’s overseas operations.
I was prepared to think that Slater’s recounting of Key’s unprintable comments regarding Jo Hall were almost total embellishment on Slater’s part. However, seeing his castigation of Glenn Greenwald as “Dotcom’s little henchman” and a “loser”, I can easily see Key making comments that were similar to what Slater reported, if not quite as foul-mouthed.
Yup all John Key’s loose name calling and butt talk is just a big smelly cover up and attempt at diversion ( not very sophisticated though)…
‘Why it simply isn’t credible that Key stepped in and shut down the mass surveillance program’
By Martyn Bradbury / September 15, 2014
“Key has been deceptive and has agreed to things no real leader of NZ would agree to. I don’t feel subservience to American Corporate Interests and the building of a mass surveillance state were spelt out in that nice TV advert where they’re all rowing….
Today in the Guardian … New Zealand PM deceiving public over spying claims, says Glenn Greenwald
He added: “I’ve done reporting of surveillance all over the world and a lot of governments haven’t liked what I’ve said, but I’ve never seen a head of government lose their dignity and get down in the mud and start chucking names to discredit the journalist in order to discredit the journalism.”
Sad news, NZ guitar legend Peter ‘Gutman’ Gutteridge has died. In the original line ups of both The Chills & The Clean, he went on create Snapper, recording a handful of amazing singles, eps & lps. He just had a solo album released this year (a re-release of a cassette he recorded in the 90s). A sad day for Dunedin.
He looked fairly healthy (for Pete) the last couple of times I’d seen him. He was certainly enthusiastic about his music projects. It was a real surprise to see this:
Here you go folks – some BREAKING NEWS.- in an OIA reply just received today (15 September 2014) from the Reserve Bank.
The Reserve Bank will NOT reveal:
“The names of the banks, financial institutions and the like, which have facilitated, enabled and/or provided derivatives market services, in any form, since the John Key led National Government took office in 2008″
___________________________________________________________________
Dear Ms Bright
On 29 August 2014 you made a request to the Treasury, under the provisions of Section 12 of the Official Information Act, seeking information relating to legislation that affects the derivatives market; Government exposures to the derivatives market; names of participants in the derivatives markets; and the value of derivatives exposures.
The Treasury transferred to the Reserve Bank the second part of your request. The transferred part of the request seeks: The names of the banks, financial institutions and the like, which have facilitated, enabled and/or provided derivatives market services, in any form, since the John Key led National Government took office in 2008.
Given the context provided by the remainder of your request, I assumed that you’re particularly interested in organisations that operate in New Zealand and that are counterparties to derivative transactions involving New Zealand Government organisations. You confirmed to me in a telephone conversation on Monday 8 September 2014 that my assumption is correct.
Response
The Reserve Bank enters financial derivatives contracts with a range of counterparties. The names of counterparties are being withheld under the following provisions of the Official Information Act:
· Section 9(2)(b)(ii) – to avoid unreasonable prejudice to the commercial position of the person who supplied the
information or who is the subject of the information.
· Section 9(2)(d) – to avoid prejudice to the substantial economic interests of New Zealand.
· Section 9(2)(i) – to enable a department or organisation holding the information to carry out, without prejudice or
disadvantage, commercial activities.
· Section 9(2)(j) – to enable a department or organisation holding the information to carry on, without prejudice or
disadvantage, negotiations (including commercial and industrial negotiations).
This response meets in full part two of your request, as transferred to the Reserve Bank.
Under the provisions of section 28 of the Official Information Act, you have the right to seek a review by the Ombudsman of the Reserve Bank’s decisions about your information request.
Yours sincerely
………..
External Communications Advisor | Reserve Bank of New Zealand
…………………………………………….
___________________________________________________________________
Really?
Is this information ‘commercially sensitive’ or POLITICALLY sensitive?
Given that NZ Prime Minister John Key, former Foreign Exchange Advisor for the New York Federal Reserve, and former head of derivatives for Merrill Lynch, is currently a shareholder in the Bank of America?
Looks like Winnie will be the balance of power……now what might that entail?
I reckon he has it within his grasp to destroy National as “the” party of the Right, and install NZ First as the party holding the “conservative centre” (left and right). How? He only has to insist on a Royal Commission with independent cross party appointees to go into the issues ion Hagers book. And into any other accusations.
The end result I believe is that the Governor General would be forced to call another election and “Brand Key” would have disappeared from the ballot sheet. Corporate NZ would be running tails between their legs.
The question is “will Winston?” How deep is his animosity to National? I suspect that Winnie would still be National if it was not so aligned with the corporate sponsors who clearly nobbled the Winebox enquiry. Some fun times ahead methinks.
Pretty sure Peters is on record as saying he won’t force another election.
Someone posted yesterday that the process of forming govt is that the PM tells the GG who to appoint (not sure that is the right word), and that even where the PM is being an arse, the GG usually takes their advice.
@ weka 2.36
This morning in Mike W and Matthew H at 11.14 a.m. there was a discussion about how the gummint is decided. GG? From about 15 mins in on the sound clip. http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon
hmm, sounds like confusing speculation to me. The bit about the PM staying on and calling for a gote in parliament was interesting, but I’d like to hear that explained by someone with good legal knowledge rather than two partisan hacks and their enabler 😉
Just had another look at Taco doing Puttin on the Ritz. His portayal of a good time johnny amongst the poor street people is pretty much like National and Act. Conservatives wouldn’t countenance any street people – they would be arrested and jailed for being layabouts or, just, alive.
There was a gerfuffle about this clip because some performers have black-face. It is an important symbolic thing to protest about. Black people were discriminated against for too long. They were also leaders in show biz, and happy to be there during the Depression, anyone blacking up was copying them. Black people wouldn’t have got acknowledgment of discrimination in 1964 without their unrelenting and intolerable pressure on the authorities. But appearing to care about the convention of respect and being PC about black-face is important to the leading bigots, even if in their hearts still they think, no.
“Mr Peters said he was the first MP to back Mr Parker in 2006 when he resigned as Attorney-General following an allegation he had filed an incorrect return to the Companies Office.
Mr Peters said he stood by Mr Parker because he was a “man of honour” and was being “unfairly vilified”.
He also said he admired Finance Minister Bill English’s integrity on the issues of dirty politics and the affordability of tax cuts.
“Like Mr Parker, he has a certain integrity and honour. Consequently I see both of them as capable of being Ministers of Finance.””
I guess Winston considers double dipping at the tax payer’s expense a sign of honour and integrity
@ Rosie 1.47
You are a good person, patient etc. Undies comment just got my antennae twitching. Just so naive with so many questions. Actually if wanting to vote, I think someone should be able to think things out for themselves.
An irritation, personal to me. I wish that my piece on transport and rail would get as much attention. So much to think about and we run rings around some pseudo pseudonym. There is a case for having to pass a simple test before voting. I understand those wanting to live in the United States have to answer all sorts of deep questions, and from what I have read of their general knowledge, citizens would have failed.
If this Undie is young let her/him look on google. I do. And then come and discuss what I have found out. Latest thing that I haven’t found out is what Scotland will use as cash money if they go solo? Anyone know that? I would probably find it in the archives here.
Hi Warbs. Super quickly because the Moment of Truth live stream is about to start. Understand your points and for what it’s worth I have given up on Undies. I won’t bother again.
Scotland to retain the the pound. That is my understanding of the form of currency in an Independent Scotland.
Gotta go! Let her rip M.O.T! (not the former Ministry of Transport)
@ Rosie
I made people laugh when I said that seeing and hearing Edward Snowden was the biggest celebrity event for me since the Beatles came here. Great to hear and overall may nothave delivered all that was hoped but was anothr step up to getting info out there.
Just fwiw .. just enjoyed lunch with a close friend from the oh-so-blue Pakuranga electorate. She told me, unsolicited, that she and her family, and all their closest friends have always voted Nat and Maurice Williamson. Never again. They are all angry and changing their votes.
Not only are they distrustful of Williamson, they are now in the anyone-but-Key voters — this is at least 8 or 9 votes. Decent Kiwis just seeing the light now they have had their eyes forced open.
Yes, just an anecdote but I know this one is 100% true.
Radio NZ continues to seek comment from the Sensible Sentencing Trust.
Why doesn’t it seek comment from the NZ National Front as well? The Panel, Radio New Zealand National, Thursday 11 September 2014
Jim Mora, Lavina Good, Tim Watkin, Zara Potts
ZARA POTTS: Boeing has SLAMMED an upcoming Al Jazeera documentary about its new Dreamliner plane. A worker secretly filmed conversations with fifteen of his colleagues, during which ten of them said they would not fly on the plane themselves. He also exposed a high level of drinking and drug taking at the Boeing factory. But Boeing says that the workers were simply letting off steam.
JIM MORA: Just irresponsible banter, essentially….
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v
Yes it is true. You were not dreaming when you heard that. Jim Mora actually said that. He actually had the chutzpah to pass comment about “irresponsible banter”. That is beyond parody. You just could not make that up.
Now it is quite clear that, after close to a decade of delivering this crap chat show, Jim Mora has the hide of a rhinoceros. He is, patently, inured to irony. But even Jim Mora, that glib, determinedly trivial and insincere chatterbox, must have realized, even as he mouthed the words, just how hypocritical that comment was.
Late in the program, we were given a stark example of just how grievously Mora and his producers lack not only basic common sense, but more importantly how they lack integrity, or even a rudimentary sense of decency. Mora, his voice carefully modulated to convey the impression of deep concern, brought up the topic of the parole hearing for Akshay Chand, the murderer of Christie Marceau.
After a brief discussion with the two Panelists, neither of whom belongs to an organization that applauds or advocates murderous violence, Mora announced that they would be talking to someone who most certainly does: Stephen Franks, an “active member and adviser” for that bloodthirsty pack of knife-killing enthusiasts the Sensible Sentencing Trust. I know that many regular posters on this forum have remonstrated with Mora, and with the management of Radio NZ, about their practice of routinely seeking comment from the S.S. Trust, which is beyond doubt a monstrous and disreputable organization.
It is quite obvious that Mora and his producers have not taken these protests seriously. That is the reason that listeners were treated to the absurd and obscene spectacle of Franks said something about the Christie Marceau case, then, in answer to another question, took the opportunity to embark on a wandery rant against what he sneeringly calls “well meaning” prison reforms which have, according to him at least, taken the “top dog” status in prisons away from the wardens. Of course, trifling concerns like prison officers no longer being licensed to torture, abuse or degrade prisoners obviously count for nothing to the kind of person who belongs to the S.S.Trust.
I will not burden Standardisti by subjecting them to Stephen Franks’s sardonic and deeply hypocritical reproach of “well meaning” liberals, which was pretty much the same speech he always gives whenever he gets the chance. What is interesting, and deeply concerning, is that this vicious, utterly discredited vigilante gang is still being treated with unwarranted respect, is still routinely asked for comment by Radio NZ, and is still referred to as a “victims’ rights organization”.
Not being in NZ, I don’t pick up much about this sort of thing, but I just caught the National campaign ad in an ad-break on Campbell Live online. They appear to have changed the backing music. It’s no longer the D-minor Eminem doppelganger that sounds like it’s been pulled straight out of a documentary about illegal spying. It might be a clip from another part of the same piece, but it’s in a major key, is much more upbeat and no longer has those ultra-sinister overtones that make it sound like National are sending agents into your home at night to confiscate your red scarves, paint your pets blue and teach three-way handshakes to your children.
Has anyone else noticed that change, or when it happened?
Right up there with the radio ad I heard promoing Nact the other evening. Smarmy voice goes ‘we look after NZ’s mosty vulnerable”. Code for Slater & Ede?
Caught seven sharp while channel flicking – hosking’s rant at the end was outrageous. The pm’s lovely, we should trust him, everyone else are horrid liars.
I’m paraphrasing. What he said was even worse – I can’t find a link yet, but it really was desperate, blatant propaganda.
Did anyone catch Campbell Live’s partial broadcast of the IP big reveal tonight.
Campbell had as a guest former head of the GCSB Sir Bruce Ferguson running defense for Key and the GCSB.
Although he departed the organisation in 2010 (?) he said fairly categorically that they would not be collecting wholesale metadata on New Zealanders.
Campbell then quizzed him on whether the GCSB used Xkeyscore, which Ferguson did not deny existed and then in the last few moments of the interview totally contradicted his earlier statement “that they don’t collect data” by saying that ‘they have tools like that so they can go through the data”
Campbell didn’t seem to pick up on this.
Paraphrased, happy to be corrected or confirmed.
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Peter Dunne writes – Nearly three decades after the introduction of MMP and multiparty governments there should be a greater level of understanding about their finer points than often appears to be the case. The reaction to the despicable outburst from the Deputy Prime Minister at the weekend highlights ...
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Graham Adams writes — If you love the law or sausages, as the saying goes, best not to look too closely at how they are made. And after watching the orgy of self-pity when Newshub’s closure was announced on February 28, television journalism should definitely be added to the list of those ...
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Photo by Alvan Nee on UnsplashIt’s that new day of the week (Thursday rather than Friday) when and I co-host our ‘hoon’ webinar with paying subscribers to The Kākā for an hour at 5 pm. Jump on this link on YouTube Livestream for our chat about the week’s news ...
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The Coalition Government’s plan to ‘get Auckland moving’ is a cuts cover-up that will ultimately cost Aucklanders more to move around the city, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
Slashing the Ministry of Pacific Peoples by 40% will have a devastating impact on pacific communities and further highlights how little this government cares about anything other than cutting taxes for the wealthiest few. ...
Labour has proposed an urgent inquiry to investigate the ever-increasing profits of supermarkets, aiming to lower costs for shoppers and food producers alike, says Labour Spokesperson for Commerce and Consumer Affairs Arena Williams and Primary Production Spokesperson Cushla Tangaere-Manuel. ...
With 14% of jobs on the line at the Ministry for Ethnic Communities, the responsible Minister Melissa Lee is failing to stand up for the very communities she’s meant to be representing. ...
COURT OF APPEAL: TRIFECTA OF VICTORY FOR NZ FIRST, TRIFECTA OF FAILURE FOR OPPONENTS For the third time since April 2020, New Zealand First has defeated the Serious Fraud Office and all those complicit in a malicious attack against a political party going about its lawful business in a lawful ...
The Green Party stands with people who live in public housing, people in dire housing need, experts and advocates in demanding better than the Government’s archaic approach to housing those who need our support the most. ...
New Zealand has recently lost the hosting rights of some major international sporting events including the America’s Cup, the Rugby Championship, Netball World Cup, and the Wellington Sevens. We are now at a huge risk of losing SailGP as well. And it won’t stop there. The recent issues with SailGP ...
A Member’s Bill drawn this week would modernise insurance law and make things fairer and more transparent for consumers, Christchurch Central MP Duncan Webb said. ...
The Minister for Disability Issues has confirmed she was aware of funding issues in mid-December and did nothing to stop it. On 14 March, she signed off on changes that were announced and implemented on 18 March without any consultation with disability communities. ...
Green Party MP Julie Anne Genter says her members' bill is an opportunity for the coalition government to plug the gap in electric vehicle incentives. ...
The National Government continues to talk about irresponsible tax cuts that will only drive up inflation, despite the country entering a technical recession. ...
The Minister for Disability Issues must act urgently to reinstate flexibility around the funding for disability support and apologise to disabled carers. ...
This story has been initiated by a leftie shill reporter who proactively sought to call a member of a former band, which disbanded twelve years ago, give their biased appraisal of what was said in my speech, and concocted a ham-fisted attempt at a story that does nothing but show ...
The Government has accepted Labour’s change to the Road User Charge (RUC) discount for hybrid vehicles, meaning there will still be some incentive for people to buy greener vehicles. ...
Many in the mainstream media have taken what was said in New Zealand First’s State of the Nation Speech in Palmerston North on Sunday and deliberately, deceitfully, and ignorantly misrepresented what I said and why I said it. The headlines and commentary on the news stated that I compared ‘co-governance ...
Kicking the most vulnerable people out of state housing and pushing them towards homelessness will result in a proliferation of poverty and trauma across our most vulnerable communities. ...
Te Pāti Māori co-leader and MP for Waiariki, Rawiri Waititi has penned a letter asking MPs to support his members bill to remove GST from all food. The bill is expected to go through its first reading in parliament this Wednesday. “I’m calling on all political parties to support my ...
Good afternoon. Thank you for, in your very busy lives, turning up to this meeting today. On October 14th last year New Zealanders overwhelmingly voted for change. That is exactly what this new government is bringing. New Zealand First campaigned to ‘take back our country’ and stop the disastrous economic ...
This year is about getting real with Kiwis and discussing the tough issues, as the National Government exacerbates inequality and divides New Zealand, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said ...
The Government adding Significant Natural Areas (SNAs) to its already roaring environmental policy bonfire is an assault on the future of wildlife that makes Aotearoa unique. ...
After 12 years of fighting to protect our moana we are finding ourselves back at square one and back at court. Today, the Environmental Protection Agency is sitting in Hawera to reconsider an application from Trans-Tasman Resources to dig up 50 million tonnes of the seabed in South Taranaki. This ...
Minister Shane Jones’ decision to step away from a seabed mining project is evidence of the murky waters surrounding the Government’s fast-track legislation. ...
The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last government in a bid to get greater coherence in the publicservice on Treaty matters. When ministers first considered the need for tighter oversight in 2021, there ...
The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last government in a bid to get greater coherence in the publicservice on Treaty matters. When ministers first considered the need for tighter oversight in 2021, there ...
The Coalition Government’s miscalculation saga continues as it has forgotten an eyewatering $90 million gap in its interest deductibility cost figures, say Labour Finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds and Revenue Spokesperson Deborah Russell. ...
He Pou a Rangi Climate Change Commission has today released advice that says if the Government doesn’t act now New Zealand is at risk of not meeting its climate goals. ...
The Coalition Government has today confirmed it is abandoning first home buyers who are struggling to get ahead, says Labour Finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds. ...
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed the passing of legislation to move light electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) into the road user charges system from 1 April. “It was always intended that EVs and PHEVs would be exempt from road user charges until they reached two ...
New Zealand is strengthening its ability to combat illegal fishing outside its domestic waters and beef up regulation for its own commercial fishers in international waters through a Bill which had its first reading in Parliament today. The Fisheries (International Fishing and Other Matters) Amendment Bill 2023 sets out stronger ...
Economists Carl Hansen and Professor Prasanna Gai have been appointed to the Reserve Bank Monetary Policy Committee, Finance Minister Nicola Willis announced today. The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is the independent decision-making body that sets the Official Cash Rate which determines interest rates. Carl Hansen, the executive director of Capital ...
Apartment owners and buyers will soon have greater protections as further changes to the law on unit titles come into effect, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “The Unit Titles (Strengthening Body Corporate Governance and Other Matters) Amendment Act had already introduced some changes in December 2022 and May 2023, and ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters will travel to Egypt and Europe from this weekend. “This travel will focus on a range of New Zealand’s traditional diplomatic and security partnerships while enabling broad engagement on the urgent situation in Gaza,” Mr Peters says. Mr Peters will attend the NATO Foreign ...
Transport Minister Simeon Brown is encouraging all road users to stay safe, plan their journeys ahead of time, and be patient with other drivers while travelling around this Easter long weekend. “Road safety is a responsibility we all share, and with increased traffic on our roads expected this Easter we ...
About 1.4 million New Zealanders will receive cost of living relief through increased government assistance from April 1 909,000 pensioners get a boost to Superannuation, including 5000 veterans 371,000 working-age beneficiaries will get higher payments 45,000 students will see an increase in their allowance Over a quarter of New Zealanders ...
Ensuring social housing is being provided to those with the greatest needs is front of mind as the Government restarts social housing tenancy reviews, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. “Our relentless focus on building a strong economy is to ensure we can deliver better public services such as social ...
The Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary will not go ahead, with Cabinet deciding to stop work on the proposed reserve and remove the Bill that would have established it from Parliament’s order paper. “The Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary Bill would have created a 620,000 sq km economic no-go zone,” Oceans and Fisheries Minister ...
Dam safety regulations are being amended so that smaller dams won’t be subject to excessive compliance costs, Minister for Building and Construction Chris Penk says. “The coalition Government is focused on reducing costs and removing unnecessary red tape so we can get the economy back on track. “Dam safety regulations ...
The coalition Government is expanding the medium-scale adverse event classification to parts of the North Island as dry weather conditions persist, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced today. “I have made the decision to expand the medium-scale adverse event classification already in place for parts of the South Island to also cover the ...
The passing of legislation giving effect to coalition Government tax commitments has been welcomed by Finance Minister Nicola Willis. “The Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill will help place New Zealand on a more secure economic footing, improve outcomes for New Zealanders, and make our tax system ...
Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins and Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds today announced plans to transform our science and university sectors to boost the economy. Two advisory groups, chaired by Professor Sir Peter Gluckman, will advise the Government on how these sectors can play a greater ...
The Budget will deliver urgently-needed tax relief to hard-working New Zealanders while putting the government’s finances back on a sustainable track, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The Finance Minister made the comments at the release of the Budget Policy Statement setting out the Government’s Budget objectives. “The coalition Government intends ...
The coalition Government will look at options to address a zoning issue that limits how much financial support Queenstown residents can get for accommodation. Cabinet has agreed on a response to the Petitions Committee, which had recommended the geographic information MSD uses to determine how much accommodation supplement can be ...
Cabinet has agreed to a short extension to the final reporting timeframe for the Royal Commission into Abuse in Care from 28 March 2024 to 26 June 2024, Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden says. “The Royal Commission wrote to me on 16 February 2024, requesting that I consider an ...
The coalition Government is delivering an $18 million boost to New Zealanders needing to travel for specialist health treatment, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says. “These changes are long overdue – the National Travel Assistance (NTA) scheme saw its last increase to mileage and accommodation rates way back in 2009. ...
The Government is recognising the innovative and rising talent in New Zealand’s growing space sector, with the Prime Minister and Space Minister Judith Collins announcing the new Prime Minister’s Prizes for Space today. “New Zealand has a growing reputation as a high-value partner for space missions and research. I am ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity, attributed to groups sponsored by the Chinese Government, targeting democratic institutions in both New ...
Independent Reviewers appointed for School Property Inquiry Education Minister Erica Stanford today announced the appointment of three independent reviewers to lead the Ministerial Inquiry into the Ministry of Education’s School Property Function. The Inquiry will be led by former Minister of Foreign Affairs Murray McCully. “There is a clear need ...
State Highway 1 across the Brynderwyns will be open for Easter weekend, with work currently underway to ensure the resilience of this critical route being paused for Easter Weekend to allow holiday makers to travel north, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Today I visited the Brynderwyn Hills construction site, where ...
Introduction Good morning to you all, and thanks for having me bright and early today. I am absolutely delighted to be the Minister for Infrastructure alongside the Minister of Housing and Resource Management Reform. I know the Prime Minister sees the three roles as closely connected and he wants me ...
New Zealand stands with the United Kingdom in its condemnation of People’s Republic of China (PRC) state-backed malicious cyber activity impacting its Electoral Commission and targeting Members of the UK Parliament. “The use of cyber-enabled espionage operations to interfere with democratic institutions and processes anywhere is unacceptable,” Minister Responsible for ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Defence Minister Judith Collins today announced New Zealand will provide logistics support for the upcoming Solomon Islands election. “We’re sending a team of New Zealand Defence Force personnel and two NH90 helicopters to provide logistics support for the election on 17 April, at the request ...
The European Union Free Trade Agreement Legislation Amendment Bill received Royal Assent today, completing the process for New Zealand’s ratification of its free trade agreement with the European Union. “I am pleased to announce that today, in a small ceremony at the Beehive, New Zealand notified the European Union ...
Public consultation on the terms of reference for the Royal Commission into COVID-19 Lessons has concluded, Internal Affairs Minister Hon Brooke van Velden says. “I have been advised that there were over 11,000 submissions made through the Royal Commission’s online consultation portal.” Expanding the scope of the Royal Commission of ...
Hardworking families are set to benefit from a new credit to help them meet their early childcare education (ECE) costs, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. From 1 July, parents and caregivers of young children will be supported to manage the rising cost of living with a partial reimbursement of their ...
A specialised Independent Technical Advisory Group (ITAG) tasked with preparing and publishing independent non-binding advice on the design of a "green" (sustainable finance) taxonomy rulebook is being established, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “Comprising experts and market participants, the ITAG's primary goal is to deliver comprehensive recommendations to the ...
Defence Minister Judith Collins has thanked the Chief of Army, Major General John Boswell, DSD, for his service as he leaves the Army after 40 years. “I would like to thank Major General Boswell for his contribution to the Army and the wider New Zealand Defence Force, undertaking many different ...
25 March 2024 Minister to meet Australian counterparts and Manufacturing Industry Leaders Small Business, Manufacturing, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly will travel to Australia for a series of bi-lateral meetings and manufacturing visits. During the visit, Minister Bayly will meet with his Australian counterparts, Senator Tim Ayres, Ed ...
Government commits almost $3 million for period products in schools The Coalition Government has committed $2.9 million to ensure intermediate and secondary schools continue providing period products to those who need them, Minister of Education Erica Stanford announced today. “This is an issue of dignity and ensuring young women don’t ...
Good morning, it’s great to be here. First, I would like to acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of Building Surveyors and thank you for the opportunity to be here this morning. I would like to use this opportunity to outline the Government’s ambitious plan and what we hope to ...
Minister for Pacific Peoples Dr Shane Reti has announced the Government’s commitment to the Auckland Secondary Schools Māori and Pacific Islands Cultural Festival, more commonly known as Polyfest. “The Ministry for Pacific Peoples is a longtime supporter of Polyfest and, as it celebrates 49 years in 2024, I’m proud to ...
Before moving onto the substance of today’s address, I want to recognise the very significant and ongoing contribution the Breast Cancer Foundation makes to support the lives of New Zealand women and their families living with breast cancer. I very much enjoy working with you. I also want to recognise ...
New Zealand has notched up a first with the launch of University of Canterbury research to the International Space Station, Science, Innovation and Technology and Space Minister Judith Collins says. The hardware, developed by Dr Sarah Kessans, is designed to operate autonomously in orbit, allowing scientists on Earth to study ...
Introduction Thank you for inviting me to speak with you today and I’m sorry I can’t be there in person. Yesterday I started in Wellington for Breakfast TV, spoke to a property conference in Auckland, and finished the day speaking to local government in Christchurch, so it would have been ...
The Coalition Government is contributing more than $1 million to support the establishment of an emergency multi-agency coordination centre in Northland. Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell announced the contribution today during a visit of the Whangārei site where the facility will be constructed. “Northland has faced a number ...
New Zealanders have enjoyed a broader range of voices telling the story of Aotearoa thanks to the creation of Whakaata Māori 20 years ago, says Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka. The minister spoke at a celebration marking the national indigenous media organisation’s 20th anniversary at their studio in Auckland on ...
Commercial catch limits for some fisheries have been increased following a review showing stocks are healthy and abundant, Ocean and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The changes, along with some other catch limit changes and management settings, begin coming into effect from 1 April 2024. "Regular biannual reviews of fish ...
Analysis by Keith Rankin. Keith Rankin, trained as an economic historian, is a retired lecturer in Economics and Statistics. He lives in Auckland, New Zealand. My earlier article – Can ‘Good’ be the Greater Evil? – looked at the issue of how wars should end, and how Good versus Evil ...
The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington.AUCKLAND1 AMMA by Saraid de Silva (Moa Press, $38)A stunning debut novel reviewed by Brannavan ...
From Steve Martin to Ricky Stanicky, a pick’n’mix of things worth watching and listening to this long weekend. This is an excerpt from our weekly pop culture newsletter Rec Room. Sign up here. If you’re at a loss for something to occupy yourself with this Easter, don’t panic: The Spinoff’s got ...
Jesus had dinner with his 12 disciples right before he died. Noted historian Madeleine Chapman finds out who really deserved to be there.First published in 2018 but let’s be honest, the subject is timeless. As you sit on your couch this Easter Sunday, eating a chocolate egg you know ...
The newly-promoted Northern League club is on a mission to return to the National League for the first time in two decades. Plenty about domestic football in New Zealand has changed in that time – but the sense that this amateur competition is not an entirely level playing field remains. ...
Comment: Every year on February 2, a dozen men in tuxedos and top hats approach the burrow of a groundhog in Gobbler’s Knob, Pennsylvania and entice the beaver-like rodent to emerge and predict the weather. If the groundhog, named Punxsutawney Phil, sees its own shadow when it is summoned, legend ...
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Auckland Council has put a deadline on new weather-impacted property owners applying for categorisation as government funding looks set to run out. Councillors have voted to support a deadline of September 30 for property owners who haven’t accessed support to come forward and engage with the council’s recovery office. It ...
NONFICTION 1 BBQ Economics by Liam Dann (Penguin Random House, $40) “It’s official,” wrote Dann nine days ago in the Herald, where he works as business editor at large, “we’re in recession.” Yeah, great. He delivered the bad stats: “GDP fell 0.1 percent in the December 2023 quarter, compared with ...
By Anneke Smith, RNZ News political reporter A petition urging the New Zealand government to provide urgent humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people has been tabled in the House. More than 200 people gathered on Parliament’s forecourt today and they were met by MPs from Labour, the Greens and Te ...
Pacific Media Watch The Paris-based global media freedom watchdog RSF (Reporters Without Borders) has appealed for information about the “disappearance” of Palestinian journalist Bayan Abusultan. She was reportedly last seen on March 19 among people “sequestered” in this week’s raid and siege of Al Shifa hospital by Israeli troops in ...
EDITORIAL:The Jakarta Post It happens again and again; indigenous Papuans fall victim to Indonesian soldiers. This time, we have photographic evidence for the brutality, with videos on social media showing a Papuan man being tortured by a group of plainclothes men alleged to be the Indonesian Military (TNI) members. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Robyn J. Whitaker, Director of the Wesley Centre for Theology, Ethics, and Public Policy & Associate Professor, New Testament, Pilgrim Theological College, University of Divinity A strange and eclectic range of activities takes place across these few weeks of the year. Some ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Panizza Allmark, Professor Visual & Cultural Studies, Edith Cowan University It’s Easter weekend, which means many of us will be kicking back with the greatest hits on repeat. But whether you’re a boomer, or an ‘80s or ’90s kid, you might be ...
RNZ Pacific Fiji’s Acting Public Prosecutor has filed an appeal against the sentences of former prime minister Voreqe Bainimarama and suspended police chief Sitiveni Qiliho in their corruption case. Bainimarama was granted an absolute discharge for attempting to pervert the course of justice while Qiliho received a conditional discharge with ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Arosha Weerakoon, Senior Lecturer and General Dentist, School of Dentistry, The University of Queensland Casezy idea/Shutterstock How does toothpaste work? What did people use before toothpaste was invented? – Amelia, age 7, Meanjin (Brisbane) Thanks for your ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Brett Hallam, Associate professor, UNSW Sydney IM Imagery/Shutterstock Solar SunShot is well named. The Australian government announced today it would plough A$1 billion into bringing back solar manufacturing to Australia, boosting energy security, swapping coal and gas jobs for those ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Clare Dix, Research Fellow in Nutrition & Dietetics, The University of Queensland Easter is the time for chocolate. The shops are full of fantastically packaged and shiny chocolates in all shapes and sizes, making trips to the supermarket with children more challenging ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Emma Felton, Adjunct Senior Researcher, University of South Australia Even in a stubborn cost-of-living crisis, it seems there’s one luxury most Australians won’t sacrifice – their daily cup of coffee. Coffee sales have largely remained stable, even as financial pressures have ...
Mining company Trans-Tasman Resources has unexpectedly withdrawn its application for a consent to suck the valuable metals vanadium and titanium from the Taranaki seafloor, as it apparently wagers on the Government’s new fast-track process. It had spent two-and-a-half days putting its case to the Environmental Protection Agency’s decision-making committee, at ...
Contrary to the Associate Minister of Education’s claims, analysis of Healthy School Lunches Programme - Ka Ora, Ka Ako assessments has revealed it provides excellent value for the taxpayer dollar, as a groundswell of public opposition to Government ...
Greenpeace says wannabe Taranaki seabed miner Trans-Tasman Resources is likely banking on Christopher Luxon’s fast-track process to side-step proper scrutiny of its Taranaki seabed mining proposal by bailing out of the Environmental Protection Agency hearing ...
Kiwis Against Seabed mining today slammed Australian owned would-be seabed miner Trans Tasman Resources (TTR) for abandoning its application to the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) to mine the seabed of the South Taranaki Bight. The company ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Katie Attwell, Associate Professor, School of Social Sciences, The University of Western Australia Ground Picture/Shutterstock Months after COVID vaccines were introduced in 2021, governments and private organisations mandated them for various groups. Health and aged care workers were among the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrew Dzurak, Scientia Professor Andrew Dzurak, CEO and Founder of Diraq, UNSW Sydney Diraq For decades, the pursuit of quantum computing has struggled with the need for extremely low temperatures, mere fractions of a degree above absolute zero (0 Kelvin or ...
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 A national Essential poll, conducted March 20–24 from a sample of 1,150, gave the Coalition a 50–44 lead including undecided, a reversal ...
The Taxpayers’ Union has today made a formal request under the Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on Open Government Information () for information held about how New Zealand Members of Parliament are spending taxpayer ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Robert Nelson, Honorary Principal Fellow, The University of Melbourne A Byzantine depiction of the Eucharist in Saint Sophia Cathedral, Kyiv.Jacek555/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA A nasty quarrel arose in the 11th century over what kind of bread should be used in holy ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Patrick Hesp, Professor, Flinders University Patrick Hesp In some parts of Australia, coastal dunes are retreating from the ocean at an alarming rate, as waves carve up the beach and wind blows the sand inland. But coastal communities are largely ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Luke Heemsbergen, Senior Lecturer, Digital, Political, Media, Deakin University With an impressive 60% of the US smartphone market, Apple is undeniably big, but not a clear monopoly. Yet, years of innovation by Apple have effectively given the company its own exclusive ...
Whether you’re facing layoffs or are just an emotional junior staffer, it’s always a good idea to scout out a good crying place before you need it. It’s an incredibly hard time for Wellington. Across the city, thousands of public servants are hearing tough news about redundancies and layoffs. Government ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James Miller-Jones, Professor, Curtin University Nuclear explosions on a neutron star feed its jets. Danielle Futselaar and Nathalie Degenaar, Anton Pannekoek Institute, University of Amsterdam, CC BY-SA How fast can a neutron star drive powerful jets into space? The answer, it ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Daryl Adair, Associate Professor of Sport Management, University of Technology Sydney Earlier this week, independent MP Andrew Wilkie accused the AFL of conducting “off the books” illicit drug testing to identify players using substances of abuse, then inappropriately withdrawing them from matches ...
The Government’s announcement that it will scrap plans for a vast marine sanctuary around the Kermadec Islands is ‘shameful’ and will make it impossible for Aotearoa New Zealand to meet its international commitments, says the World Wide Fund for Nature ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Quiggin, Professor, School of Economics, The University of Queensland Shutterstock The federal government has bowed to pressure from the car industry, announcing it will relax proposed emissions rules for utes and vans and delay enforcement of the new standards ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Suzanne Rutland, Professor Emerita, University of Sydney In his latest book, Jewish Life in Medieval Spain, Jonathan Ray focuses on the tumult of the 14th century in Spain – a time of the plague, civil strife and war between the two largest ...
While creating a slate of world-class shows, Whakaata Māori also developed a generation of world-class creatives. Television is an odd word. It mixes the Ancient Greek and Latin languages, and its most literal meaning is “far-off sight”. In the contemporary and living language of te reo Māori, “whakaata” as a ...
Yesterday the UN Security Council passed a resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in Israel’s war on Gaza. This significant step and the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza prompted an urgent debate in the New Zealand Parliament. Leader ...
The Government’s decision to reduce access to continuous glucose monitors (CGM) not only threatens the lives of children with type 1 diabetes and increases the potential for ‘Dead in Bed’ syndrome, but also threatens the health of their parents an ...
Apples are available year-round, but the wide variety on offer involves intensive scientific research – and large-scale commercialisation. What’s beautiful, red, sweet and crunchy? Tony Martin’s favourite kind of apple: Sassy. The CEO of apple and pear breeding organisation Prevar, Martin’s fondness for Sassy represents professional success as well as ...
Family violence specialist service Shine is calling on employers to stop asking for proof of domestic violence in order for employees to access domestic violence leave. The call comes five years after the introduction of the Domestic Violence ...
The Deputy Chairperson of the Finance and Expenditure Committee is calling for public submissions on the Budget Policy Statement 2024. The Budget Policy Statement 2024 (BPS) sets out the Government's priorities for the 2024 Budget. It explains the approach ...
Brutal government spending cuts that will see the size of the Ministry for Pacific Peoples slashed by 40% will hit Pasifika communities hard, the PSA says. The Ministry has told staff that it is seeking voluntary redundancies, and to redeploy and reassign ...
I live with five people I mostly love, but our different ideas about generosity are starting to really irk me.Want Hera’s help? Email your problem to helpme@thespinoff.co.nzDear Hera,This is a bit of a random one but here goes. I’m 22 and work an OK job (OK meaning I get paid ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Maria Nicholas, Senior Lecturer in Language and Literacy Education, Deakin University Earlier this month, the New South Wales government announced it would roll out programs for gifted students in every public school in the state. This comes amid concerns gifted school ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Christopher Rudge, Law lecturer, University of Sydney Massachusetts General Hospital In a world first, we heard last week that US surgeons had transplanted a kidney from a gene-edited pig into a living human. News reports said the procedure was a ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Tombs, Howard Paterson Chair of Theology and Public Issues, University of Otago The 5th-century Maskell panel showing Jesus in a loincloth.British Museum, CC BY-NC-SA When Jesus is shown on the cross, he is almost always depicted wearing a loincloth around ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Panizza Allmark, Professor Visual & Cultural Studies, Edith Cowan University Shutterstock When you think about a red object, you might picture a red carpet, or the massive ruby in the Queen’s crown. Indeed, Western monarchies and marketing from brands such ...
COMMENTARY:Jewish Voice for Peace The UN Security Council passed a resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza on Monday — and for the first time since the beginning of the Israeli military’s genocide of Palestinians, the United States abstained rather than vetoing it. Security Council resolutions are legally binding, ...
Asia Pacific Report A New Zealand investigative journalist and author says the US spy system hosted by the Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) appears to be a controversial intelligence system used in global capture-kill operations. Writing a commentary for RNZ News today, Nicky Hager, author of Secret Power, a 1996 ...
While Nicola Willis wouldn’t give any details on its size, she said a package of tax cuts is definitely still coming in this year’s budget, writes Catherine McGregor in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. ...
The Taxpayers’ Union is welcoming the investigation into the Department of Internal Affairs after it was revealed that the Department’s Chief Executive personally reached out to expedite a DJs passport application. Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns ...
Finance minister Nicola Willis delivers her first budget statement, and unwittingly helps Joel MacManus save his relationship. Nicola Willis strode into the Beehive Theatrette. Around me, on the green foldout seats, were the country’s top business and political journalists. They were all here to see her announce the Budget Policy ...
Twenty years ago today, Māori Television launched after much controversy. Jamie Tahana looks back on its survival and impact across two decades. Chad Chambers stepped onto the stage, the brim of his cap casting a shadow across his face. His smile beamed as bright as his white freezing works gumboots, ...
A lengthy response to the recently released draft Government policy statement on transport will soon be delivered from Auckland Council to Minister of Transport Simeon Brown. A submission raising concerns about funding distribution and the plan’s treatment of Auckland passed through the council’s transport committee on Wednesday, despite some councillors ...
The unidentified foreign intelligence operation discussed in a scathing report by New Zealand’s Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security (IGIS) last week appears to be a controversial United States intelligence system. The IGIS report said the Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) decision to host a foreign system from 2012-2020 was “improper” ...
The Scots facing the same issue of a biased media supporting the establishment
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=11324708
Given the BBC is the sort of media model constantly pushed by lefties here as a solution to supposed media bias this is kind of an own goal.
Gosman You are known to be just an ultra wing paid bloger where we are not, and some are not purely left wingers either.
We will ignore your constant dribble as spam now so why do you keep wasting space?
Eh??? Who is supposedly paying me exactly?
Interestingly it looks like you’ve been snapped by the moderators for posting material that maybe is fulfilling an external agenda.
If you’re doing it for free, I suggest you put a few dozen comments in a portfolio and send it to Carrick Graham. Might be worth a few thou a month, the work you put in…
Given he supports a party who has 17% ofi ts MPs convicted of deceit or fraud related crimes…
What many people don’t know is that you can vote at age 16 in Scotland. These young people aren’t going to be swayed by the establishment telling them what is good for them/what they should do and will vote for the cause (independence).
Not so. Teenagers, generally, are often conservative in attitude and less engaged in the political process. And a significant number in Scotland see themselves as British first, Scottish second.
http://www.scotcen.org.uk/media/205540/131129_will-16-and-17-years-olds-make-a-difference.pdf
The 16-24 age group are currently 47 YES and 53 NO at present. The u-18s started out Cautious/NO: many moved to don’t know and then to YES. This pattern has applied across the board. As Don’t Knows go to YES rather than NO at a rate of 5:1 I expect the Youth will make a difference.
http://yougov.co.uk/news/2014/09/12/full-results-times-sun-140911-scottish-referendum/
The level of engagement is massive by any standard. Over 95% of eligible voters are enrolled. A vote by over 80% is expected. http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/referendum-news/voter-registration-is-highest-ever.25298968
The Labour Party is finished in Scotland. After the YES vote (results out mid-day Friday onward NZ Time) and Independence in March 2014 Labour will lose its 42 Scottish MPs.
http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/sep/14/scottish-independence-labour-decline-electoral-force
Its Scottish Leader, Johann Lamont MSP, has been a shocker: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBH55ZeZU4w
The Tory Party was in a slow decline since the 1960s but went into a nose-dive under Thatcher. Unfortunately Westminster Labour lost touch with its roots and the Scottish outcome will cause the English Labour Party to either find its soul or become totally irrelevant.
“The Labour Party is finished in Scotland. After the YES vote (results out mid-day Friday onward NZ Time) and Independence in March 2014 Labour will lose its 42 Scottish MPs.”
Yeah, nah. Labour and the SNP are both polling in the 30’s in Scotland. If anything, Labour’s support for the union will solidify their Scottish vote at the next general election.
Alister Darling, Gordon Brown, Danny Alexandwer and many other senior Labour people have been seen to be the Tories poodles in the IndyRef. They have been part of “Project Fear”: they have used the Tory tactic of telling voters that prices and unemployment will go up and that all types of pestilence will rain down on them if they vote the other side. 50% of people who voted Labour in the last Holyrood election are now voting against the Labour led NO Campaign.
Here is the list of Labour Westminster MPs who will be unemeployed after Independence.
Danny Alexander, Douglas Alexander
Willie Bain , Gordon Banks, Anne Begg, Gordon Brown
Russell Brown, Malcolm Bruce, Iain McKenzie, Menzies Campbell
Alistair Carmichael, Katy Clark, Tom Clarke, Michael Connarty
Michael Crockart, Margaret Curran, Alistair Darling, Ian Davidson
Thomas Docherty, Brian Donohoe, Frank Doran, Gemma Doyle
Sheila Gilmore , Tom Greatrex, David Hamilton, Tom Harris
Jimmy Hood, Stewart Hosie, Cathy Jamieson, Eric Joyce
Charles Kennedy, Mark Lazarowicz, Angus MacNeil, Michael McCann, Gregg McClymont, Jim McGovern, Anne McGuire, Ann McKechin
Michael Moore, Graeme Morrice, David Mundell, Jim Murphy
Ian Murray, Pamela Nash, Fiona O’Donnell, Sandra Osborne
Alan Reid, Angus Robertson, John Robertson, Frank Roy
Lindsay Roy, Anas Sarwar, James Sheridan, Robert Smith
Jo Swinson, John Thurso, Michael Weir, Eilidh Whiteford
Pete Wishart
Your comment makes no sense, staffer, either politically or numerically. The referendum position the Labour party supports is also supported by a majority of eligible Scottish voters. That’s not going to hurt Labour in Scotland one little bit, and that is reflected in recent polling, which puts Labour and the SNP both in the 30’s. That level of support will remain electorally valid, whether or not Scotland votes for independence. Sorry to have to inject some reality into the discussion, but there you have it.
The UK Labour Party, along with the Tories, supports the Union.
Up to 50% of previously Labour voters are rejecting the Party on this matter. They are significantly less likey to vote for Scottish Labour again given the disgust many of them feel towards the scare tactics NO campaign.
Notwitstanding all that, Scotish politics will reshape over the next few years. When the Independence issue is put to rest with a YES vote on Thursday one of the maindrivers of the SNP has evaporated.
A purely Scottish Labour party will form: my contention is that will have no relationship with the current UK Labour Party and it be significantly smaller that the 30% it got at the last Holyrood elections.
Making numbers up doesn’t help your argument. The most recent yougov poll had 77% of Scottish Labour voters in the No camp, a mere 19% voting Yes.
The Scottish Labour Party already exists, btw. It is part of the UK Labour Party and has no plans to leave, whatever the outcome.
It’s not bias, it’s dishonesty.
Will the BBC issue a swift public apology for lying to the Scottish people so blatantly? Remember: YOU pay for the BBC. Are men like Nick Robinson the people you really want to trust?
I think the kind of “reporting” exposed in this video is exactly why pensioners are slow to join the “Yes” campaign; they’re the least likely demographic to be active on social media and therefore have no alternate source of information to dispel the blatant lies of media outlets like the BBC.
This is an uphill struggle, no doubt. But stay the course, do what you can, share the relevant media, and vote YES!
Both pieces of footage used in this video were filmed on the 11th of September 2014. Nick Robinson’s report was broadcast on the six o’clock news mere hours after the international conference shown in the second piece of footage.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRDDtsUIJwg
Herald this morning – “……..the news that Australia has raised its terror alert to the second-highest level would have sent more shudders down more spines than any filing cabinet full of the documents that Dotcom and the American journalist Glenn Greenwald may have.”
Good old John Armstrong aye……..framing it for John Key before he/we even know what’s in that filing cabinet ?
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11324701
Key this morning with Espiner sounding more and more like Farrar: “in the end”…”ultimately”…”initially” and “look..look” about 10 times and as Espiner obviously detected, no substantial information in between the cliches.
[r0b: Deleted in moderation. You have posted versions of that comment several times here on The Standard, as well as other forums. It is becoming spam – enough.]
I came home yesterday to find thick envelopes from national and local Conservative Party candidates printed on glossy paper with what seemed like acres of white space.
One featured an emaciated character staring fixedly at camera backed by a grinning rouges gallery including a woman with partially peroxided hair and violet-red lipstick.
Compounding these fashion crimes was a wishy-washy pale shade of blue headlining lack of conviction and a point by point comparison with New Zealand First on the other side. Is someone trying to get rid of Winston Peters ?
Wow! Political party targets rival political party in attempt to win votes. I would alert the media immediately if I was you [sar]
Don’t forget to Vote Positive, Gosman.
I received a drugs are bad mmkay addressed glossy complete with hypodermic and a scattering of pills.
Raa
I got the conservative one. The photos are as you described. Reminded me of a joke photo some years ago with a bunch of monkey like morons (apologies to morons) with the caption “Our qualified and capable staff are here to serve you”
Batsh*t Colin grinning like a toothy nutty bush baby, Rankin that family friendly woman who is a great consolidator of marital relationships, Garth wotsisname and the other forgettables ….Geez what a bunch of visual f*ckwits.
To think they could remotely consider themselves as my (read your) leaders.
Incidentally I don’t actually want or need a leader, especially ones like these.
Dirty politic strategies no doubt?
This article by lawyer Denis Tegg is a very good good clear summary of questions with implications for John Key’s NACT government
….especially question number 9. …about whether New Zealand could now be sharing information with Mossad on New Zealanders? ( We have already seen Slater’s connections with Israel…what other NZ journalists and PR operators also have connections with Israel?)
….this question if proved to be true has VERY SERIOUS IMPLICATIONS for New Zealand’s sovereignty , independence and democracy…and Foreign Relations…United Nations status….participant in the World Court and world justice system …and Human Rights and the justice system for New Zealanders!
‘Which of John Key’s many statements on the GCSB will Glenn Greenwald challenge and refute?’
By Denis Tegg / September 15, 2014 /
“We already have Glenn Greenwald’s assertion on The Nation that John Key has misled New Zealanders as to whether the GCSB has engaged in mass surveillance of Kiwis. But Key has made many other statements about the GCSB’s powers and activities. So which of these other public statements made by Key will Glenn Greenwald challenge and refute ?….
– See more at: http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2014/09/15/guest-blog-denis-tegg-which-of-john-keys-many-statements-on-the-gcsb-will-glenn-greenwald-challenge-and-refute/#sthash.pgRm6CDk.dpuf
Don’t get me wrong, it’s an important issue. It’s just that personally, if those guys knew the full truth of my life, they wouldn’t spend thousands “surveilling” me. I’d just tell them up front what they don’t want to hear, what they can’t bear to hear. A single fifty cent 9x19mmm parabellum from the American division of Kmart could save them heaps of time and cash. Those guys have killed so many “by accident” and “in self defence” why on earth would they hesitate with me? Or you?
Watch live: ‘The moment of truth’.
Details below:
https://www.thunderclap.it/en/projects/15900-the-moment-of-truth
“His comments on this matter have changed considerably, almost every single day so I’m not actually entirely certain what it is that he is denying…” Glen Greenwald on the Prime Minister’s preemptive rebuttle.
GG 1, Key 0
‘At the End of the Day’
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwAi5qeuA68
This was my contribution to yesterday’s ‘Off Key’ concert in Wellington to support artistic freedom and protest the censorship of Darren Watson’s ‘Planet Key’ song and music video. I’m posting it here before real-life political shenanigans overtake anything satire can conceive.
Cheers Grant. Loved it!
@ w.p..
..had a re-think on those vegan-sossies..?
Heh. What would you put in them? Beans, nuts (for a bit of texture), and herbs I suppose. A binding agent might be a problem as eggs are not allowed I take it?
I might have a play around in the kitchen.
tahini ? xanthan gum? potato starch powder ?
Oh, just while we’re in the lifestyle section of The Standard, I would like to add that I have switched tofu allegiances. Whilst living in Auckland it was always Tonzu tofu, as Tonzu is made there (and pay their staff living wage), here in Wellington it has always been Hing’s as that’s made here, but recently I ventured out and tried the Soyworks one. It is a winner, hands down!
The G.E free soy is grown right here in NZ, in Nelson and the flavour (yes, flavour!) of the tofu is something else. My tofu biryani will never be the same! Looking forward to it in summer on the BBQ with grilled polenta, marinated mushrooms and my home made salsa!
https://www.facebook.com/TheSoyWorksNZ
yummy!
@ phillip ure …i gave you my special award winning recipe for Vegan Sausages some time ago
Nice one Grant!
Great work Grant. Hope you don’t mind that I’ve shared it on facebook (and potentially got you in the shame shit as Darren Watson and Jeremy Jones now…)
I’m fairly sure it doesn’t breach the Electoral Act, but when they come and drag me away to Satire Prison I’ll shout “Curse you, Riffer!” just for laughs.
Well, according to the retweets, it’s now gone international. I have NFI why Canadians are watching #nzpol though.
+100 great song !…hope “The END OF THE DAY” comes SOON!
Is a Scottish oligarch any better than an English oligarch ?
This question is posed at http://tarpley.net/ where it is pointed out that
“The answer to this question at the heart of the upcoming referendum appears to be no. If we ask who ranks as the most hated public figure in Great Britain during the twentieth century, the answer might well turn out to be the very Scottish Field Marshal Douglas Haig, a scion of the famous whiskey distillery. As supreme commander of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) in France and Belgium, the Edinburgh-born Haig became infamous as one of the greatest butchers of World War I with his futile frontal attacks at places likes Ypres and Loos. Worst of all, Haig was responsible for the most catastrophic single day in all of British military history with his bungling, incompetent attack plan for the July 1916 offensive on the Somme river, which resulted in 20,000 dead and 40,000 wounded during the first 24 hours, and 625,000 total casualties over five months – all to gain a few miles of terrain.”
Further ..
“There is no reason to expect better leadership from the medievalist banker-demagogue Alex Salmond (..), Scottish Prime Minister and boss of the Scottish National Party, who cynically offers pseudo-independence as the universal panacea.”
An excerpt from the latest piece from the impartial jonolist, Tracy Watkins:
“As the final week of the campaign begins, the latest stuff.co.nz/Ipsos poll has Labour on barely 22 per cent. At Glen Innes yesterday Cunliffe posed a lonely figure as one of his MPs took to a megaphone to round up stragglers for a street corner meeting. Across town, Key was a political rock star – mobbed, patted, loved.”
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/10498151/Hardly-time-for-Key-v-Cunliffe
There will be many jonolists requiring PTSD therapy if this election doesn’t go the way that they have been actively supporting.
Yeah, I saw that too .. are these dice loaded ? You might get better odds at a casino …
This analysis of poll possible results is of interest…not all is lost for Labour…and there is the question of the overhang :
‘Election 2014: Numbers and Faces’
By Keith Rankin / September 15, 2014
“Democratic politics is a game of numbers and faces. How can we translate the numbers into the 120 or more faces that will be in the next Parliament?…
– See more at: http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2014/09/15/election-2014-numbers-and-faces/#sthash.jgBLRnxk.dpuf
( quite a part from anything else …bugger the polls!…the msm polls are lying…Labour is going to do well on Election DAY …especially when the undecided and former non voters get out and VOTE!)
I need some help here please, I want National gone as they’ve done a decent job the last couple of years but the sleaze and underhand tactics is simply too much so I’m thinking the best way to remove National is party vote Labour however this article from whaleoil (its a guest post) raises some issues with potential conflicts of interest
Whaleoil guest post that looks like a usual denier trying to raise doubts and who appears to be unfamiliar with much about Climate Change – read at your own risk via donotlink
While i’m loathe to take onboard anything from the site the post itself raises some questions so I’m wondering if anyone can say theres no potential for conflict of interest or should I be looking towards the Greens?
[lprent: You look to me as being more like a “concern” troll. All of the usual types of comments. ]
I’m not willing to click through to WO and many others here will be the same. Even people who do click through are unlikely to give WO any credence. Can you outline what the issues are that you are concerned about?
Party voting Labour or the GP, either is best support for a change in govt.
Edit: here’s the article without having to go to WO’s site http://www.donotlink.com/bmja
[lprent: “to be fair” (that awful phrase that really means “I am about to try to stick the knife in”, Disturbed tried to drop the entire contents of the post on this site. Classic denier astroturfer. But we’ll let him dribble on a bit for amusement. I see that they have already gotten warnings from several people. ]
Essentially its about Karen Prices work (shareholding and directorship) with NZs largest (according to the post) broker in the trade of carbon credits
On first reading it doesn’t look good but then it may well be a storm in a teacup but it is worrying
What specifically are you worried about?
Are you familiar with the GP and Labour policies from reading the policies themselves?
Its not the policies so much as the possibility of a massive conflict of interest ala Oravida which is one of the reasons I’m not voting National
Why don’t you change your name to Slater?
?
You spread his lies like a sock-puppet, why pretend to be a person at all?
Have you read the post?
Have you worked out why associating with criminal trash makes you look like criminal trash?
Why don’t you tell us what the Mongrel Mob think too?
And you’re proof you don’t need a long neck to be a goose
Why not do your homework on who would stand to gain or lose by attacking her? Because they will be paying Whaleoil for that service. I think there’s a book written on this somewhere.
Ask around about who attacked Karen as David he smashed the Telecom monopoly.
Unlike people here, we don’t take money from multinationals to attack political and commercial opponents.
BTW, if you really want to slander her, you will end up facing the toughest defamation lawyers in town. Trust me you do not want to be on the losing side of that one. Think hard before you go there.
“Its not the policies so much as the possibility of a massive conflict of interest ala Oravida which is one of the reasons I’m not voting National”
You’re not making sense Undecided. What’s the conflict of interest? Bear in mind that probably no-one here is going to read the article, so if you don’t clarify what *you* want to know you will probably get treated as a trole by more than just OAB.
Its a very long article but essentially its suggesting there might be a conflict of interest between Karen Price being involved with carbon trading and her husband
However if people won’t read it (and thats fine I understand why) then theres really not much more to be said
Which party is Karen standing for? And what’s it got to do with her husband, whoever he may be? Is the husband not capable of independent thought and action in your opinion?
and, more precisely, until “undecided” can point out an instance where cunliffe travels halfway across the globe on the public purse with the apparent primary objective of violating the Cabinet Manual by publicly endorsing his spouse’s company, there’s no comparison whatsoever.
It’s your offering support to criminals that’s the issue. What sort of person are you that you spread Cameron Slater’s smears?
Ratfuckers belong in prison, ratfucker.
Was ‘ratfucker’ on your word of the day calender recently or something?
It’s the name they chose for themselves. Who am I to deny them?
Ok, that’s an extremely longwinded post about CC and polluter pays taxation that I can’t be bothered reading. It’s apparently written by a ‘long time reader’ of WO, for what that’s worth (which is less than bugger all).
If on the off chance you are not just link-whoring, I suggest that you read the policies of the GP and Labour on their websites and then come back here and ask specific questions. If you have read the article you should be able to describe the conflicts of interest pretty easily.
I read most of it but I confess the dullness of the article didn’t help, I vote not so much on policies but on who I believe is working the best for NZ (which may not be the best way to vote) and articles like this does push me towards the Greens
That’s right, reinforce the Slater narrative, that way your facile deceit will stand out like a dog’s balls.
Slaters narrative is to want people to vote Green?
No. that The Greens will prop up a corrupt barrel of weasel-word motherfuckers like you and Cameron and John Key.
You are a strange individual.
Contempt for ratfuckers: get used to it.
A little early to be toking don’t you think
Undecided, you would be wise to take Aunty Chooky’s advice.
A couple of things:
You need to ask yourself why you are being influenced by whale oil when everyone knows he is at the heart of the sleaze and underhand tactics you refer to.
You need to know that Karen Price will not be the leader of the next government. David Cunliffe will.
You also need to consider whether you are in an electorate such as Epsom or Ohariu where tactical voting is a pressing issue. If so you need to consider your electorate as well as party vote.
Good luck with voting the government out.
PS: Giving you the benefit of the doubt here and assuming you are asking a genuine question and not being a you -know -what t***l.
You need to ask yourself why you are being influenced by whale oil when everyone knows he is at the heart of the sleaze and underhand tactics you refer to.
– Thats why I’m not voting National, i want a change of government
You need to know that Karen Price will not be the leader of the next government. David Cunliffe will.
– Thats the thing though, is there a potential conflict of interest going on here similar to Oravida? Another reason I’m not voting National.
You also need to consider whether you are in an electorate such as Epsom or Ohariu where tactical voting is a pressing issue. If so you need to consider your electorate as well as party vote.
– Where i live its cut and dried whos getting in
Giving you the benefit of the doubt here and assuming you are asking a genuine question and not being a you -know -what t***l.
– National have done a good job the last couple of years dealing with the GFC and earthquakes and I’d be voting for them now but for the behind the scenes sleaze and lies and half truths but because National is doing it doesn’t mean Labour isn’t (they may or may not be)
So since i’m changing my vote on the sleazy things National has done it means that i’m not keen on voting Labour if it looks like they doing the same things that National have been doing so I’m leaning towards Green
Yet I also know that the best chance to change the government is party vote Labour
Like i say conflicted, maybe tonight will clarify things
You need to ask yourself whether your first and second answers conflict with one another, and what you reveal about yourself thereby.
Undecided.
So, what it boils down to is you feel unsure about Karen Price’s influence on her husband should he become leader? (still going with the idea that you’re not t****ing).
The idea that “because National did then Labour does is it too” is a right wing meme promoted by the Government and supported by the right wing media. (see the reporting and opinion from stuff.co.nz and The Herald over the last month) It was one of the easiest and lamest ways that the Government could respond to the crisis that the publication of Dirty Politics created.
It is no more a sophisticated response than your average seven year old would give when found guilty of some form of unacceptable behaviour. (sorry seven year olds!)
If you’ve read Dirty Politics you’ll know that New Zealand has never in it’s history seen such a level of corruption, dishonesty and deceit at it’s centre of political power. This unparalleled series of events is relatively recent in our history. It is unique. It’s probably not what you expect as a National voter right?
Don’t buy into the meme that other leaders are capable of such a stunning lack of integrity. Such sociopathy is rare and it is our responsibility to keep those with such traits out of power.
@ Undecided 11.36
This is priceless.
National have done a good job the last couple of years dealing with the GFC and earthquakes and I’d be voting for them now but for the behind the scenes sleaze and lies and half truths but because National is doing it doesn’t mean Labour isn’t (they may or may not be)
You silly person, you have given thinking a try and learned to put words together in a sentence and sent an early draft to us. There is a lot of work to do yet before you deserve to get the kind help you are asking for. Do your homework before you come to The Standard. Don’t waste our time. Come back next year.
This is a reply to Warbs, not sure where it will turn up, run out of reply buttons.
Yeah, I saw that support for all the amazing work National has done with the GFC and CHCH. I chose to completely ignore that as there’s no point arguing with that – it just diverts the course of conversation. I thought it might be useful to park that belief (and it is a belief, it’s not knowledge) to one side and focus what Undies is really trying to say and ask.
Could be completely wasting our time, Undies could easily be a t***l, has all the hallmarks BUT what if he/she isn’t?
Rather than attack them for their support for National prior to Dirty Politics is it not better to set an example of those on the Left by cooperating with those on the Right in an effort to help them out? For all we know this could be a genuine question from a sincere person. It’s not impossible for former National voters to be disgusted with their party’s behaviour and take their votes away from them is it? If anything, good on them for not denying it as so many stuff type commenters do.
Not everyone has the same level of political engagement as the folks of the Standard Community and if we can help out when RW folks have a genuine querie that’s a good thing. Education an’ all!
Hmm, I think it’s pretty clear by now that we’re talking trole undies. Gross.
btw, if you want to keep in thread, just use the last available reply button (scroll up to find it).
Hi weka. Yes, got that with the reply button, it’s what I’ve been doing. I never quite know if the comment is going to land where I expect it to 🙂
I’ve ruled out Undies as being genuine as he/she would have been back to follow up. Or maybe they had to get back to work, I don’t know. I won’t bother again.
I was prompted to respond as we’ve had quite a bit of feedback at PPO about strategic voting, and people asking advice about how to vote Dunne out. You would be amazed at how many people just don’t know the basics of MMP. So I’ve got into a pattern of responding to those sorts of queries.
I agree, we really need a civics education programme in NZ.
I know what you mean about wanting to give people the benefit of the doubt. I started with Undies on that too wherease OAB went straight to trole patrol. But like you I am aware of the many readers and reckon it’s better to not either just call the commenter a trole and be done with it, or present useful information.
Now that’s a damn good idea! Party Vote Green!
But the Green’s would have nothing to do with that sleaze bag, and won’t condescend to advertise there, (along with P&S, and many others) so I guess he has to suggest you Party Vote Green in his post..
See I’m thinking Green because they seem to be more keen on doing right for NZ but Labour with more party vote will more likely get a change of government
A zero-sum game. Do you think anyone is going to fall for the idea that the Left vote can be boosted by carefully choosing which of Labour/Greens you vote for?
Spread Cameron Slater’s effluent then ask a very stupid question like a complete innocent.
Your low ethics are showing.
I really don’t think that’s helpdul OAB.
edit, even if undecided is doing what you suggest, the many other people reading this may need clarification rather than having to wade through contempt and ridicule. Lots of people still don’t understand how MMP works.
Weka, either Undecided is a tr*ll, or has trouble working out basic concepts of MMP and whether to take Slater’s word for anything.
I’m making the charitable assumption that they’re a player, are you suggesting I treat them as a cretin instead?
Then I suggest they seek out the Electoral Commission’s website: this is a forum for partisan political opinion, with a minor infestation of right wing tr*lls whose expressed aim is to seek a low turnout.
Either that or work out the meaning of “zero-sum game”.
“I’m making the charitable assumption that they’re a player, are you suggesting I treat them as a cretin instead?”
No, I’m suggesting you don’t fill OM with ratfucker insults, as witty as they are.
“An accomplice in a systematic attempt to pervert democracy and the rule of law” just doesn’t have the same ring to it.
It’s more an issue of volume than content style 🙂
😆 ok ok less is more
“See I’m thinking Green because they seem to be more keen on doing right for NZ but Labour with more party vote will more likely get a change of government”
That’s not true. Labour will have to use the GP to form govt. Under MMP it doesn’t matter if Labour has one less MP and the GP one more, or vice versa. It’s the total that counts. So, vote for either, whichever one you prefer.
Well you learn something everyday, see I thought that the stronger the Green representation was in government the stronger the influence they could exert
For example if the Greens had 1/3 of the seats in government they’d have more influence then if they had 1/4
🙄
Right on cue, the mask slips.
What are you on or on about?
Sheesh! Do I have to spell it out <i.again! I think you’re arguing in bad faith, what part of that don’t you comprehend?
So spell it out because all I’m trying to confirm is whether to vote Labour or Greens and all you’re doing is talking in circles without saying anything of substance
Simple: if you were sincere I’d tell you to vote for either of them: it’s a zero-sum game so far as I’m concerned.
What I’m predicting is that you will pretend that Slater’s smear (the one you’ve been promoting) is putting you off Labour, to later pretend that another smear has put you off the Greens too.
Of course that includes besmirching your character, and the alternative is to assume you don’t know what a zero-sum game is and you’re too stupid to understand Slater’s toxicity.
Choose one.
I personally think that you see what you want to see, that your mind is closed and nothing will change that
That’s not a denial.
You’re an idiot, i know its not a deniel however i feel its a pretty good summation you and your character
Call me a little butt henchman, you know you want to.
if you dont read policies how do you form your belief about who is working the best for nz?
Blogs, media, TV, Newspapers as I find reading policies is a great way to cure insomnia which i know isn’t a good way of forming beliefs but genrally i find politics to be quite boring
Here’s a prediction for you. Once Slater has pushed his conflict of interest lie, the ratfuckers will all pretend that they’re being drawn towards the Greens.
Then Slater will make up another smear against the Greens, and all his little helpers will announce that they’re all as bad as one another but at least National will be a stable government.
Trash will out.
yes another reason why one should never go near Slater’s whaleoil…it is a pollutant of the Truth…and way too tricky for the average punter…especially those that need ‘Politics for Dummies’…i sympathise with Undecided…he/she needs to de-tox and then make a decision to vote for Labour or the Greens imo…these are the most solid bets with the best past form of opposition to John Key’s Nactional
Quite possibly he will however the last few years there hasn’t been any sort of scandel to have affected the Greens, no real conflicts of interested, no real election law breakings or financial irregularities so probably won’t find much traction there
Spot the platform on which this low character will help construct Slater’s coming smear.
@ Undecided ….from Aunty Chooky ( you must NEVER go on whaleoil..it is bad for you!)
…the Greens will do well!….they can look after themselves…however if you want to vote Green for the environment and everything else …go ahead!…GOOD CHOICE…because they are married to Labour and will influence Labour
…otherwise VOTE LABOUR….because they need your VOTE to get rid of Nactional and dirty politics
…as a wild card is Internet MANA….also well deserving of your VOTE…because it is at the vanguard of attacking dirty politics and corruption of New Zealand’s democracy and NZer’s human rights !…and it is for ALL New Zealand kids and free tertiary education
Winnie and NZF will also look after themselves and will probably be a partner of Labour ….they are also for New Zealand for New Zealanders and their rights to their own land, housing , State Assets… and for NZ democracy…which is under attack at the moment
It is a beat up. Every one of the national party caucus have much larger potential conflicts of interest. Even if you only look at their declared interests.
Wow long discussion about something very simple.
‘Undecided’ you smell an awful lot like a concern tr0ll. But just it case you’re for real, let me help you out:
Whaleoil = 100% pure bullshit (Read even one chapter of Dirty Politics if you need evidence.)
You’re welcome.
Desperate Nats breaking electoral law?
Tory hoardings around my way have had a large sticker added to them saying that ‘every party vote is important’. Nothing wrong with the wording, but, presumably in order to confuse or mislead the public, they have used the Electoral Commission’s own colour, orange, for the sticker. Apparently, a party vote for National is now authorised by the Commission.
In reality, according to the Electoral Commission, orange is not allowed to be used by political parties because it can confuse or mislead. I’m guessing that the Nats misunderstood that injunction to be an endorsement of their usual behaviour.
http://www.elections.org.nz/news-media/family-party-registered-logo-declined-act-party-abbreviation-registered
In addition, the stickers don’t appear to have an authorisation statement on them, which I presume is a second breach of the law.
Nasty Nats.
Stick to your first point. Haven’t seen an authorisation statement on the stickers added to the Sue Moroney hoardings around me.
Touche! To be fair, I’m unsure whether things added to already authorised signage are covered by the original authorisation and if Labour are doing it, I’m sure it’s OK ;)*
However, the orange colour, and its misuse, are clearly covered. This picture may also breach the law:
https://www.national.org.nz/campaign
*Labour also have similar stickers (presumably the ones you’ve seen on Sue’s hoardings). They carry an authorisation statement!
the labour stickers are white with black writing?
Yep, I think that’s the ones, Tracey (not one close to where I am for me to check, unfortunately). Wording like ‘only a party vote for Labour can change the government’? I’m told that they all have the authorisation notice because that is what is required by the Act. Funny that the Tory ones apparently don’t comply with the law.
It’s an orange banner that read Your party vote is crucial. I’ve seen it on Epsom, Mt Roskill and Mt Albert National billboards.
Took pics when I was stopped at traffic lights. Will complain.
Also seen in Ohariu, Mana and Otaki electorates.
I read “your party vote is crucial” as meaning “we are desperate”.
and Northcote and North Shore … referring to Nat ones
The one I saw in Mt Albert had the authorisation (Labour’s I mean).
Kiwiblog will have been onto this story in a flash won’t they?
yep to Labour b/w, just saw one on my way home. The Nat ones are bright orange.
Small news item I noticed in at http://www.democracynow.com
Philadelphia Set to Decriminalize Marijuana
Philadelphia is poised to become the largest U.S. city to decriminalize marijuana. Mayor Michael Nutter has pledged to sign a City Council bill imposing a $25 fine for possession of an ounce or less of pot. Those cited would reportedly have to appear before a judge, but would not have a criminal record. People caught smoking pot in public would face a $100 fine, which could be waived through community service. The measure could prevent thousands of arrests each year.
To add to this moment of truth day, here is a 3min videoclip showing our PM in untruthful action:
PM John Key grilled on Fletcher’s GCSB appointment
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics-videos/news/video.cfm?c_id=1503464&gal_cid=1503464&gallery_id=131968
Key says Rennie put forward Fletcher’s name @ 40 secs but changes his story @1.46 in, and Very Unusually was actually queried on it by a journalist @ 1.55 and repeats truth or lie @2.05mins. Only video I’ve seen and still able to access that shows him lying.
that’s a treasure trove of multi-duplicitous Keys isn’t it !@! Have saved it in case it disappears .. thx for posting.
Vote Internet MANA for cannabis law reform
https://www.facebook.com/robstewartIP/photos/a.294855604024887.1073741828.293809687462812/337688009741646/?type=1&theater
yep..!..internet/mana have the strongest cannabis policy..(pun intentional..)
..and laila harre has stated her ‘personal commitment’ to ending cannabis prohibition..
..it doesn’t get much better thn that for cannabis activists..
..i really hope those 12,000 people who voted for the aotearoa legalise cannabis party in 2011..can also see that..
..and will this time cast their vote for the best chance for cannabis-reform we have had since forever…
..the internet/mana party..
..and i hope they heed the words of one of their (deserved) heroes..the longtime cannabis-warrior dakta green..
..i am sure he won’t mind if i paste his reply to my open letter to the aotearoa legalise cannabis party..
..this issue is very important..those 12,000 voters are one and a half times the total number of people who went to the internet/mana roadshow up and down the country..
..that is a serious wedge of voters..
..and i really hope laila harre is reaching out to them..as we speak..
..(here is the good dakta..)
“..daktagreen says:
12/9/2014 at 12:40 am (Edit)
Phillip Ure. I was part way thru writing a piece with similar sentiments when your letter appeared. My piece had neither the style nor wit of yours so please allow me to endorse your thoughtful and timely letter addressed to all cannabis law reform activists.
I am well known for my activities around cannabis law reform. I have been fielding questions for some weeks asking why am I not voting ALCP. My answer has remained consistant. I want my vote to count.
As a member of Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party I stood in the Mt Albert by-election following Helen Clark’s resignation. Not for one second did I think I could win in Mt Albert. But the campaign gave me a good reason to drive a big green bus around town with ‘Legalise Cannabis’ emblazoned down the side and park in front of a captive audience. If I was able to educate anybody about issues surrounding cannabis then that was a bonus.
I was planning to stand for ALCP last election in the New Lynn electorate where I lived at The Daktory. Judge Gittos sentenced me to a term of imprisonment which would have had me released in time to campaign. Unfortunately, the Court of Appeal on a Crown application increased my sentence from eight months to twenty three months. My political activities last election were therefore limited to casting my vote in prison for the ALCP.
I have made it clear to my friends and supporters that I cannot and will not waste my vote as a form of protest. We must all vote strategically. I have suggested people vote for any party other than the morally bankrupt administration of Key and his minions including his bum-boy parties Act and United Future. But today that is no longer enough. We must be more targeted.
There is no room for a protest vote. This election is much more important.
I love the Greens but cannabis law reform is my priority whilst saving the world is theirs. Greens will continue to grow in size and stature because they are right. But my party vote is valuable and I must use it carefully. My party vote becomes more valuable when it may be just the vote needed to get another MP from Internet/Mana into Parliament.
I want Laila Harre to represent my interests in Parliament.
Whilst the Greens would normally get my support, I believe the Internet/Mana ticket will be the sleeper this election. Some weeks ago I predicted Internet/Mana will poll between 6 and 8% on election day. I have seen little in the last few weeks to change my mind.
Just 3% of the Party vote will see Laila Harre in Parliament.
As a country we have endured a bruising six years under Team Key. The issue this election is leadership. National have played dirty one time to many.
Hone Harawira has transformed from activist to statesman as the Mana movement has grown and matured. Mana have clearly defined goals I can support.
I endorse Laila Harre and the Internet Party to represent me and the cannabis community in Parliament.
Dakta Green, Internet/Mana Party voter..”
(the conversation then continues..)
http://whoar.co.nz/2014/comment-whoar-an-open-letter-to-the-aotearoa-legalise-cannabis-party/
and as a topical/related-issue..
..glenn greenwald has also written many wise/intelligent words on the subject of cannabis-prohibition..
..they can be found in this archive..
http://whoar.co.nz/?s=greenwald
Just had a conversation with a left voting friend who doesn’t follow politics but she reckons that thing about so many people don’t use the MSM for their political information. Does anyone know what the figures are on how many people still get their news predominantly from the TV and radion networks or newpapers (irrespective of whether they are accessing them online or not)?
Saw that a few weeks ago, can’t recall where, but IIRC the figure was about 87% of the population still watched the MSM news on TV.
ta, I had a feeling it was still pretty high.
Oh dear oh dear.Transmission gully Wellington Gateway Partnership (WGP) ppp Australian partner is under investigation by Australian federal police.
Federal police probing alleged bribery by Leighton Holdings are finalising a brief of evidence to present to prosecutors in what looms as Australia’s next major white-collar crime case.
The revelations come with Fairfax Media obtaining a freshly leaked batch of company files, including correspondence between two top Leighton executives in 2011 describing a “disgusting history of incompetence and misbehaviour” and improper “rewards, special bonuses, travel rorts” in the company’s overseas operations.
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/business/mining-and-resources/police-close-in-on-leighton-bribery-allegations-20140914-10gpgt.html#ixzz3DKuLyzmB
…oh dear more of NACT’s business buddies turn out to be crooks!
Labour /Left should axe NACTs big motorways and put the money into free Tertiary education for young New Zealanders
And that is prima facie evidence that National now needs to be investigated for taking bribes.
I was prepared to think that Slater’s recounting of Key’s unprintable comments regarding Jo Hall were almost total embellishment on Slater’s part. However, seeing his castigation of Glenn Greenwald as “Dotcom’s little henchman” and a “loser”, I can easily see Key making comments that were similar to what Slater reported, if not quite as foul-mouthed.
Today Key said that Dotcom has a big butt, and that this three speakers are “three little butts.”
Yep, he’s sounding more and more like Slater by the hour. In fact listening to him speak now gives me the same nauseous, slimy feeling.
kinda stunning language..from a prime minister..
..i’m scared to go near him..i’m sure he’ll call me ‘four-eyes’..and laugh at me..
..i think he is just reverting to the sneering tory-frat-boy he always has been..
lol…better than five eyes
Key is losing it and has has gone all Freudian slippish
key has also called greenwald ‘a loser’…
..he really is fucken losing it…
Yup all John Key’s loose name calling and butt talk is just a big smelly cover up and attempt at diversion ( not very sophisticated though)…
‘Why it simply isn’t credible that Key stepped in and shut down the mass surveillance program’
By Martyn Bradbury / September 15, 2014
“Key has been deceptive and has agreed to things no real leader of NZ would agree to. I don’t feel subservience to American Corporate Interests and the building of a mass surveillance state were spelt out in that nice TV advert where they’re all rowing….
– See more at: http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2014/09/15/why-it-simply-isnt-credible-that-key-stepped-in-and-shut-down-the-mass-surveillance-program/#sthash.EP4siAWF.dpuf
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/sep/14/new-zealand-john-key-spying-glenn-greenwald
Today in the Guardian … New Zealand PM deceiving public over spying claims, says Glenn Greenwald
He added: “I’ve done reporting of surveillance all over the world and a lot of governments haven’t liked what I’ve said, but I’ve never seen a head of government lose their dignity and get down in the mud and start chucking names to discredit the journalist in order to discredit the journalism.”
Sad news, NZ guitar legend Peter ‘Gutman’ Gutteridge has died. In the original line ups of both The Chills & The Clean, he went on create Snapper, recording a handful of amazing singles, eps & lps. He just had a solo album released this year (a re-release of a cassette he recorded in the 90s). A sad day for Dunedin.
shit…!..vale..!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhyIV-XLgPo
That’s a bummer. Saw him many times in various bands, truly unique. This is a nice vid of him playing on a borrowed guitar:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KaWqDbpGYq4
He looked fairly healthy (for Pete) the last couple of times I’d seen him. He was certainly enthusiastic about his music projects. It was a real surprise to see this:
http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/315988/snapper-founder-peter-gutteridge-dies
Here you go folks – some BREAKING NEWS.- in an OIA reply just received today (15 September 2014) from the Reserve Bank.
The Reserve Bank will NOT reveal:
“The names of the banks, financial institutions and the like, which have facilitated, enabled and/or provided derivatives market services, in any form, since the John Key led National Government took office in 2008″
___________________________________________________________________
Dear Ms Bright
On 29 August 2014 you made a request to the Treasury, under the provisions of Section 12 of the Official Information Act, seeking information relating to legislation that affects the derivatives market; Government exposures to the derivatives market; names of participants in the derivatives markets; and the value of derivatives exposures.
The Treasury transferred to the Reserve Bank the second part of your request. The transferred part of the request seeks: The names of the banks, financial institutions and the like, which have facilitated, enabled and/or provided derivatives market services, in any form, since the John Key led National Government took office in 2008.
Given the context provided by the remainder of your request, I assumed that you’re particularly interested in organisations that operate in New Zealand and that are counterparties to derivative transactions involving New Zealand Government organisations. You confirmed to me in a telephone conversation on Monday 8 September 2014 that my assumption is correct.
Response
The Reserve Bank enters financial derivatives contracts with a range of counterparties. The names of counterparties are being withheld under the following provisions of the Official Information Act:
· Section 9(2)(b)(ii) – to avoid unreasonable prejudice to the commercial position of the person who supplied the
information or who is the subject of the information.
· Section 9(2)(d) – to avoid prejudice to the substantial economic interests of New Zealand.
· Section 9(2)(i) – to enable a department or organisation holding the information to carry out, without prejudice or
disadvantage, commercial activities.
· Section 9(2)(j) – to enable a department or organisation holding the information to carry on, without prejudice or
disadvantage, negotiations (including commercial and industrial negotiations).
This response meets in full part two of your request, as transferred to the Reserve Bank.
Under the provisions of section 28 of the Official Information Act, you have the right to seek a review by the Ombudsman of the Reserve Bank’s decisions about your information request.
Yours sincerely
………..
External Communications Advisor | Reserve Bank of New Zealand
…………………………………………….
___________________________________________________________________
Really?
Is this information ‘commercially sensitive’ or POLITICALLY sensitive?
Given that NZ Prime Minister John Key, former Foreign Exchange Advisor for the New York Federal Reserve, and former head of derivatives for Merrill Lynch, is currently a shareholder in the Bank of America?
http://www.parliament.nz/resource/en-nz/00CLOOCMPPFinInterests20141/2e04287ad20ee5da12a308149e59bb16d7f47ce5
(Pg 30)
Rt Hon John Key (National, Helensville)
2 Other companies and business entities
Little Nell – property investment, Aspen, Colorado
Bank of America – banking
___________________________________________________________________
Serving WHOSE interests?
Try following the dollar …..
Penny Bright
+100 Penny… good work!…but what does that mean in two sentences and plain English for dummies with short attention spans?
Looks like Winnie will be the balance of power……now what might that entail?
I reckon he has it within his grasp to destroy National as “the” party of the Right, and install NZ First as the party holding the “conservative centre” (left and right). How? He only has to insist on a Royal Commission with independent cross party appointees to go into the issues ion Hagers book. And into any other accusations.
The end result I believe is that the Governor General would be forced to call another election and “Brand Key” would have disappeared from the ballot sheet. Corporate NZ would be running tails between their legs.
The question is “will Winston?” How deep is his animosity to National? I suspect that Winnie would still be National if it was not so aligned with the corporate sponsors who clearly nobbled the Winebox enquiry. Some fun times ahead methinks.
Pretty sure Peters is on record as saying he won’t force another election.
Someone posted yesterday that the process of forming govt is that the PM tells the GG who to appoint (not sure that is the right word), and that even where the PM is being an arse, the GG usually takes their advice.
@ weka 2.36
This morning in Mike W and Matthew H at 11.14 a.m. there was a discussion about how the gummint is decided. GG? From about 15 mins in on the sound clip.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon
hmm, sounds like confusing speculation to me. The bit about the PM staying on and calling for a gote in parliament was interesting, but I’d like to hear that explained by someone with good legal knowledge rather than two partisan hacks and their enabler 😉
Permanent link http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/audio/20149650/politics-with-mike-williams-and-matthew-hooton-15-sept-2014
edit, have left in the typo.
@ weka 4.06
Can’t resist. ‘Calling for a goat in parliament’. FIFY
😀
That would be Peters presumably.
Mmmm a billy and a bit ropey and ropeable. Fits Winston perfectly.
Today Peters is talking about a possible Labour-NZ First led government.
Yep, if you want a left wing govt, vote for an actual left wing party, which doesn’t include one that has Winston Peteres in it.
oh, and the lefties who thought Winston was a good person to have on side, see this shit, again?
Just had another look at Taco doing Puttin on the Ritz. His portayal of a good time johnny amongst the poor street people is pretty much like National and Act. Conservatives wouldn’t countenance any street people – they would be arrested and jailed for being layabouts or, just, alive.
Wonderful tap and effects. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OG3PnQ3tgzY
There was a gerfuffle about this clip because some performers have black-face. It is an important symbolic thing to protest about. Black people were discriminated against for too long. They were also leaders in show biz, and happy to be there during the Depression, anyone blacking up was copying them. Black people wouldn’t have got acknowledgment of discrimination in 1964 without their unrelenting and intolerable pressure on the authorities. But appearing to care about the convention of respect and being PC about black-face is important to the leading bigots, even if in their hearts still they think, no.
Good luck to Kim tonight.
“Mr Peters said he was the first MP to back Mr Parker in 2006 when he resigned as Attorney-General following an allegation he had filed an incorrect return to the Companies Office.
Mr Peters said he stood by Mr Parker because he was a “man of honour” and was being “unfairly vilified”.
He also said he admired Finance Minister Bill English’s integrity on the issues of dirty politics and the affordability of tax cuts.
“Like Mr Parker, he has a certain integrity and honour. Consequently I see both of them as capable of being Ministers of Finance.””
I guess Winston considers double dipping at the tax payer’s expense a sign of honour and integrity
Awww it was just an involuntary reflex. A short-term operational matter. A momentary slip of the pen. ‘And Labour did it sometime!’
Great to see stuff are keeping up their high levels of professional standards and making a joke out of an issue of immense national importance:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/10500039/Kim-Dotcom-Seven-Moment-of-Truth-alternatives.
Coz we haz a profeshunal jealousy?
🙄
Cartoon on the state of Western democracy from bold Australian cartoonist, Bruce Petty.
http://www.theage.com.au/photogallery/national/cartoons-for-monday-11-march-20130310-2fuex.html
@ Rosie 1.47
You are a good person, patient etc. Undies comment just got my antennae twitching. Just so naive with so many questions. Actually if wanting to vote, I think someone should be able to think things out for themselves.
An irritation, personal to me. I wish that my piece on transport and rail would get as much attention. So much to think about and we run rings around some pseudo pseudonym. There is a case for having to pass a simple test before voting. I understand those wanting to live in the United States have to answer all sorts of deep questions, and from what I have read of their general knowledge, citizens would have failed.
If this Undie is young let her/him look on google. I do. And then come and discuss what I have found out. Latest thing that I haven’t found out is what Scotland will use as cash money if they go solo? Anyone know that? I would probably find it in the archives here.
Hi Warbs. Super quickly because the Moment of Truth live stream is about to start. Understand your points and for what it’s worth I have given up on Undies. I won’t bother again.
Scotland to retain the the pound. That is my understanding of the form of currency in an Independent Scotland.
Gotta go! Let her rip M.O.T! (not the former Ministry of Transport)
@ Rosie
I made people laugh when I said that seeing and hearing Edward Snowden was the biggest celebrity event for me since the Beatles came here. Great to hear and overall may nothave delivered all that was hoped but was anothr step up to getting info out there.
Just fwiw .. just enjoyed lunch with a close friend from the oh-so-blue Pakuranga electorate. She told me, unsolicited, that she and her family, and all their closest friends have always voted Nat and Maurice Williamson. Never again. They are all angry and changing their votes.
Not only are they distrustful of Williamson, they are now in the anyone-but-Key voters — this is at least 8 or 9 votes. Decent Kiwis just seeing the light now they have had their eyes forced open.
Yes, just an anecdote but I know this one is 100% true.
Happy trails ….
good news yeshe.!..a sign of things to come all around the country hopefully
Good to hear pieces of news like this yeshe
Radio NZ continues to seek comment from the Sensible Sentencing Trust.
Why doesn’t it seek comment from the NZ National Front as well?
The Panel, Radio New Zealand National, Thursday 11 September 2014
Jim Mora, Lavina Good, Tim Watkin, Zara Potts
ZARA POTTS: Boeing has SLAMMED an upcoming Al Jazeera documentary about its new Dreamliner plane. A worker secretly filmed conversations with fifteen of his colleagues, during which ten of them said they would not fly on the plane themselves. He also exposed a high level of drinking and drug taking at the Boeing factory. But Boeing says that the workers were simply letting off steam.
JIM MORA: Just irresponsible banter, essentially….
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v
STOP RIGHT THERE!!!!!!!!!!
^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Yes it is true. You were not dreaming when you heard that. Jim Mora actually said that. He actually had the chutzpah to pass comment about “irresponsible banter”. That is beyond parody. You just could not make that up.
Now it is quite clear that, after close to a decade of delivering this crap chat show, Jim Mora has the hide of a rhinoceros. He is, patently, inured to irony. But even Jim Mora, that glib, determinedly trivial and insincere chatterbox, must have realized, even as he mouthed the words, just how hypocritical that comment was.
Late in the program, we were given a stark example of just how grievously Mora and his producers lack not only basic common sense, but more importantly how they lack integrity, or even a rudimentary sense of decency. Mora, his voice carefully modulated to convey the impression of deep concern, brought up the topic of the parole hearing for Akshay Chand, the murderer of Christie Marceau.
After a brief discussion with the two Panelists, neither of whom belongs to an organization that applauds or advocates murderous violence, Mora announced that they would be talking to someone who most certainly does: Stephen Franks, an “active member and adviser” for that bloodthirsty pack of knife-killing enthusiasts the Sensible Sentencing Trust. I know that many regular posters on this forum have remonstrated with Mora, and with the management of Radio NZ, about their practice of routinely seeking comment from the S.S. Trust, which is beyond doubt a monstrous and disreputable organization.
It is quite obvious that Mora and his producers have not taken these protests seriously. That is the reason that listeners were treated to the absurd and obscene spectacle of Franks said something about the Christie Marceau case, then, in answer to another question, took the opportunity to embark on a wandery rant against what he sneeringly calls “well meaning” prison reforms which have, according to him at least, taken the “top dog” status in prisons away from the wardens. Of course, trifling concerns like prison officers no longer being licensed to torture, abuse or degrade prisoners obviously count for nothing to the kind of person who belongs to the S.S.Trust.
I will not burden Standardisti by subjecting them to Stephen Franks’s sardonic and deeply hypocritical reproach of “well meaning” liberals, which was pretty much the same speech he always gives whenever he gets the chance. What is interesting, and deeply concerning, is that this vicious, utterly discredited vigilante gang is still being treated with unwarranted respect, is still routinely asked for comment by Radio NZ, and is still referred to as a “victims’ rights organization”.
Not being in NZ, I don’t pick up much about this sort of thing, but I just caught the National campaign ad in an ad-break on Campbell Live online. They appear to have changed the backing music. It’s no longer the D-minor Eminem doppelganger that sounds like it’s been pulled straight out of a documentary about illegal spying. It might be a clip from another part of the same piece, but it’s in a major key, is much more upbeat and no longer has those ultra-sinister overtones that make it sound like National are sending agents into your home at night to confiscate your red scarves, paint your pets blue and teach three-way handshakes to your children.
Has anyone else noticed that change, or when it happened?
Right up there with the radio ad I heard promoing Nact the other evening. Smarmy voice goes ‘we look after NZ’s mosty vulnerable”. Code for Slater & Ede?
Caught seven sharp while channel flicking – hosking’s rant at the end was outrageous. The pm’s lovely, we should trust him, everyone else are horrid liars.
I’m paraphrasing. What he said was even worse – I can’t find a link yet, but it really was desperate, blatant propaganda.
It is funny how the born to rule respond when their world view is threatened.
here we are. Hosking starts the paid political broadcast at 21m40s.
Starting to get into territory like this.
Fuck.
*bites tongue about Labour*
Fingers crossed it’s distorted by being a landline poll.
Now the Aussies are seeing how our spy boys tapping the cable also affected them. Big story in SMH:
Edward Snowden reveals tapping of major Australia-New Zealand undersea telecommunications cable
http://www.smh.com.au/it-pro/security-it/edward-snowden-reveals-tapping-of-major-australianew-zealand-undersea-telecommunications-cable-20140915-10h96v.html
Did anyone catch Campbell Live’s partial broadcast of the IP big reveal tonight.
Campbell had as a guest former head of the GCSB Sir Bruce Ferguson running defense for Key and the GCSB.
Although he departed the organisation in 2010 (?) he said fairly categorically that they would not be collecting wholesale metadata on New Zealanders.
Campbell then quizzed him on whether the GCSB used Xkeyscore, which Ferguson did not deny existed and then in the last few moments of the interview totally contradicted his earlier statement “that they don’t collect data” by saying that ‘they have tools like that so they can go through the data”
Campbell didn’t seem to pick up on this.
Paraphrased, happy to be corrected or confirmed.
lots of smoke and mirrors going on. And semantics.
The layers peeling off as those involved have trouble keeping on top of so many lies and half-truths. What a morass this government has dived into.