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Open mike 16/02/2020

Written By: - Date published: 7:00 am, February 16th, 2020 - 121 comments
Categories: open mike - Tags:

Open mike is your post.

For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose.

The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy).

Step up to the mike …

121 comments on “Open mike 16/02/2020 ”

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  2. Tony Veitch (not etc.) 2
    16 February 2020 at 7:19 am

    Beijing has released evidence that Xi JinPing was on the corona virus case much earlier than anyone suspected.

    Now why, oh why does that remind me of Winston Smith's task to 'update' history in 1984?

    https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/15/world/asia/coronavirus-china-live-updates.html

    Or am I just being too cynical?

  3. James 3
    16 February 2020 at 8:28 am

    I wonder what wonderful things Winstons fan base of twitter bots will say about him today ?

    https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2020/02/swarm-of-apparent-twitter-bots-claim-admiration-of-winston-peters-after-difficult-week.html

    [I have asked you a few times to back up your accusations and allegations. Alwyn tried to save your butt but you ignored my other requests: https://thestandard.org.nz/daily-review-14-02-2020/#comment-1684990 and https://thestandard.org.nz/daily-review-13-02-2020/#comment-1684709. You simply continue with your shit stirring here without adding anything to the debate. Give us a break and take three weeks off – Incognito]

    • Wayne 3.1
      16 February 2020 at 3:47 pm

      James,

      It seems that you largely come onto this site principally to gloat. It is not such a good look.

      There are a few of us basically from the centre-right who come on to the site to debate. A fair few of those who are obviously on the left engage in the debate, that is actually respond to to the points. Most (though not all) don't go full feral. Otherwise The Standard would be just a left echo chamber.

      But do you want to actually debate?

    • Incognito 3.2
      16 February 2020 at 9:18 pm

      See my Moderation note @ 8:28 AM.

    • mickysavage 4.1
      16 February 2020 at 9:20 am

      Why? Leader of another party does something stupid and may have been involved in posting of photo on a blog of ill repute. This is nowhere close to bring down the Government territory.

      • Cricklewood 4.1.1
        16 February 2020 at 9:47 am

        I guess since he is Deputy PM and a minister you could male the case he isn't upholding the ethical standards required of the role…

        Then you are left with does the PM act or let it slide, thats where some political risk sits but as you say not enough to bring down the govt….

        • weka 4.1.1.1
          16 February 2020 at 11:59 am

          Yes, but I would say he wasn't upholding the ethical standards required of the role before he was elected, so this is largely on NZF voters. I agree it is a dilemma for Ardern though.

          • Sacha 4.1.1.1.1
            16 February 2020 at 9:12 pm

            True. Imagine if people could be blocked from becoming Ministers for not exhibiting good enough character beforehand to be trusted to uphold the Cabinet Manual. Would save some anguish and arseholery.

          • patricia 4.1.1.1.2
            16 February 2020 at 11:32 pm

            Jacinda Ardern is sensible enough to allow the SFO to do their job.

            She also has no role in scrutinising the behaviour of an MP outside Parliament, when there is no actual proof that he took the photo in question. His statement was probably a Royal "We" meaning A NZ First member.

            Our Prime Minister has real problems to deal with, this is similar to other storms in tea cups.

        • Craig H 4.1.1.2
          16 February 2020 at 1:12 pm

          Having announced the election date in 7 months, and therefore 4 months of practical government before the campaign proper starts, isn't the basic answer "that's a matter for the electorate to decide" ?

      • AB 4.1.2
        16 February 2020 at 9:56 am

        Of course – but as we all know there are two main purposes of this manufactured scandal: drive NZF under 5% and tarnish Ardern (albeit at one remove).

        That said, the whole donations regime IS scandalous and National is donkey deep in it as Simon's phone call to Jamie shows. Perhaps Labour could front-foot it by a clear policy to end anonymity in donations, require that donations come only from named individuals not corporations, trusts, unions etc., and cap annual donations at something affordable by someone on the median wage.

      • Rosemary McDonald 4.1.3
        16 February 2020 at 10:01 am

        One wonders if Certain Folks are now contemplating the wisdom of having sold what might have passed for their soul in signing the Pact with Winston.

        Has it been Worth It In the Long Run?

        Some of us have seen little other than SSDD.

        And the Pretty Pony Tax of course.

        Hark!

        Is that the sound of the Wheels Falling Off?

        • Drowsy M. Kram 4.1.3.1
          16 February 2020 at 10:43 am

          "Hark! Is that the sound of the Wheels Falling Off?" – hope not; sounds painful.

        • Compass Rose 4.1.3.2
          17 February 2020 at 12:03 am

          I understand where you’re coming from Rosemary. Many of us who are activists on the left have had to grapple with disappointment at how NZ First has been a handbrake on the rate of transformation our Labour-led coalition has been able to achieve. Deceased rodents have been swallowed, to be sure. What needs to happen now, is a mobilisation for progression. We musn’t sucuumb to negativity and bitterness and become enemies of ourselves. I have a background in the health and disability sector. I may even have met you sometime and somewhere. We’re allies. We must mobilise this year to increase the majority for Labour, so we can improve the material well-being of those whom this dysfunctional economy has left behind. I urge anyone here, if you’re involved in political membership or campaigning, get involved. Start now. We need numbers. We need hands, feet, arms, legs, voices, moving whatever muscles we have, from whatever positions we may be in, to ensure this next term we, the left are in power and have the room and majority to be truly transformative.

      • Paddington 4.1.4
        16 February 2020 at 7:31 pm

        Of course it isn’t. But neither is it just “another leader of another party”. This is the deputy PM, the leader of Labours coalition partner in government. Worse than that perhaps, the timing of all of this is making Bridges decision to cut NZF loose look righteous.

  5. James 5
    16 February 2020 at 8:46 am

    One final link before heading off to Meatstock for the day

    https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/feb/15/jacinda-ardern-new-zealand-election-vote-disillusioned

    “ “Labour may struggle to mobilise their fanbase come the next election; people are beginning to suspect this government is more interested in style over substance. And the gloss has definitely come off Ardern.”

    that “year of delivery” may be a term jacinda wished she never muttered.

    • Sacha 5.1
      16 February 2020 at 9:13 am

      Wasn't that an incompetent spin doctor, not her?

    • Peter 1 5.2
      16 February 2020 at 10:11 am

      Excuse me James but what is meatstock.

      just curious.

    • Drowsy M. Kram 5.3
      16 February 2020 at 10:26 am

      "jacinda" / james; "jacinda" / james – who to believe? Have fun at Meatstock, james.

      World's tallest building in Dubai is lit up with an image of Jacinda Ardern as Sheik Mohammed thanks New Zealand's Prime Minister for 'her empathy and support'
      https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6841483/Dubai-building-lit-image-Jacinda-Ardern.html

      Why Jacinda Ardern ranked No 2 in Fortune's Top 50 World Leaders
      "Fortune Magazine Features Editor Matt Heimer is with us to look at how New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern ended up in second place — behind Bill and Melinda Gates — in the magazine’s iconic Top 50 World Greatest Leaders List"
      https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/sunday/audio/2018691819/matt-heimer-why-jacinda-ardern-ranked-no-2-in-fortune-s-top-50-world-leaders

      Bill Gates (not to mention Peter Jackson) being that well known investor in ‘Impossible Foods‘.

      "After conquering the movie industry, Sir Peter Jackson is now focusing on the plant-based protein business."

      C'mon james, it's not too late to ‘get with the programme‘ wink

    • AB 5.4
      16 February 2020 at 10:32 am

      Don't imagine you are going to wind any of us up by mentioning 'Meatstock'. It might give you a trembly little thrill and a snigger to imagine you are – but it's a fail, mate. Last night I ate fish I had caught, killed (iki), and prepared myself. A few days earlier I barbecued lamb chops on a charcoal grill (the only way) getting some good smokey flavours by adding green rosemary sprigs to the coals. Most of us on the left are very well-rounded, tough and smart – completely unlike the idea of us you seem to have in your head.

      • James 5.4.1
        16 February 2020 at 3:07 pm

        Given the hysterical responses from some on the left when mentioning meat previously would indicate that some views of the left are reasonable to hold.

        • Compass Rose 5.4.1.1
          17 February 2020 at 12:26 am

          You surely don’t know what you’re talking about James if you think ‘the left’ are universally outraged by meat eating

          • I Feel Love 5.4.1.1.1
            17 February 2020 at 6:47 am

            I dunno, it seems meateaters get riled whenever vegetarianism is brought up.

            • mac1 5.4.1.1.1.1
              17 February 2020 at 9:52 am

              It's a bit like redheads or an Irishman being told stereotypically that they're prone to flying off the handle; then people use the way that the redheads and the Irish react, by getting riled, to this characterisation as proof!

              Tell me often enough that I am ruining the planet by eating meat and I might start reacting to this form of over-simplification.

    • Psycho Milt 5.5
      16 February 2020 at 1:59 pm

      Thanks for your concern, James, but not to worry – from your linked article:

      Ardern’s winning card, however, may be the striking unpopularity of her opponent, the leader of the National party, Simon Bridges.

      True dat.

  6. Stephen D 6
    16 February 2020 at 8:54 am

    Maybe Facebook isn’t the demon we think it is. Certainly there are major differences between us and the UK when it comes to media consumption, but this article from the Guardian makes a good read.

    https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/feb/15/reports-of-social-media-influence-on-voters-are-greatly-exaggerated?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

  7. Adrian Thornton 7
    16 February 2020 at 9:15 am

    It will be very interesting (though probably not at all surprising) to see who gets unmasked during this Dem election cycle…

    Elites Turn to Bloomberg and Remove Their Masks

    https://www.truthdig.com/articles/panicked-over-sanders-elites-turn-to-bloomberg/

    • AB 7.1
      16 February 2020 at 10:19 am

      The past footage of Bloomberg now appearing is very interesting for someone outside the US – he looks like a billionaire Republican who as mayor of New York was viciously racist and authoritarian. Also there's some laughable footage where he is spouting the meritocratic myth/lie that the way to get ahead is to be the first to arrive at work, the last to leave and don't take a lunch break – in a way spookily anticipating the systems of control and surveillance that have subsequently emerged in workplaces like Amazon warehouses.

      With Biden seemingly tanking, it seems that Bloomberg's purpose is to get enough delegates to ensure Sanders doesn't get a majority. That results in a brokered Democratic convention where a 'centrist' could be given the nomination, even though Sanders has a plurality. Popcorn time if they try that – and tragically, yet another gift to Trump.

      • Rocco Siffredi 7.1.1
        16 February 2020 at 1:08 pm

        "viciously racist and authoritarian"

        That describes the Democrat Party very well.

      • Adrian Thornton 7.1.2
        16 February 2020 at 2:09 pm

        Here is another good piece from FAIR on the Bloomberg bullshit spewing forth from most liberal media…

        "Pundits Look to Bloomberg as Their Anti-Sanders Savior"

        https://fair.org/home/pundits-look-to-bloomberg-as-their-anti-sanders-savior/

        Still I guess it will be an super interesting battle if it ends up being Sanders/Bloomberg running directly against each other, you couldn't ask for a more clearer cut ideological battle to be waged out in the open..if Sanders can take on Bloomberg's billions, the establishment DNC and 99% of liberal media and still take the nomination, then we know he has a very real chance of defeating Trump.

    • RedLogix 7.2
      16 February 2020 at 1:17 pm

      Just to put these numbers in perspective, let us not forget that Trump is a man who the Democrats love to lampoon as a low-functioning moron, a grossly incompetent administrator, a corrupt crook and a sexual predator.

      And there is probably not much in that assessment that I disagree with.

      And yet after years of his supposed ineptitude and their supposed ingeniousness, they have not managed to advance a single person who is odds-on to beat him.

      This is as great an embarrassment to the inner-city celebrity intelligentsia that has displaced the Democratic working-class heartland as any true soul could possibly imagine.

      Joe Hildebrand

      I'd not endorse all of this particular column, but this para in particular stands out as indisputably true.

      • Adrian Thornton 7.2.1
        16 February 2020 at 3:20 pm

        Yes I like that take too, it is so similar to the position the Republicans ( in their own twisted universe that is) found themselves during the last Rep nomination cycle that is is almost bizarre

      • xanthe 7.2.2
        16 February 2020 at 6:43 pm

        Yup !

  8. Observer Tokoroa 8
    16 February 2020 at 9:49 am

    The Misery Struggle of National

    As James and Friends sprinkle nonsense about the demise of Jacinda Ardern the more stupid and useless their words and predictions look. James has every support of every low mouth journo and rag ever produced here or abroad.

    However, Prime Minister Ardern is in fact the most illustrious and sure – footed person in the world's political arena.

    James knows that. His mentors know that. New Zealanders know that. James is delivering lies. As is Simon Bridges.

    In the meantime, in the past 3.5 yrs, the mess that goes by the name "United Kingdom" has produced nothing like the Delivery of the NZ Coalition. Weight for Weight our Coalition is a five decades ahead of a crippled UK.

    • Cricklewood 8.1
      16 February 2020 at 11:24 am

      Let's not compare ourselves to the UK an pat ourselves on the back…

      Maybe instead look at our homelessness, prison population, child poverty, affordable housing etc Judge the govt on the progress they are making on those stats.

      • xanthe 8.1.1
        16 February 2020 at 6:45 pm

        or perhaps "look at our homelessness, prison population, child poverty, affordable housing etc"…. Judge the previous govt on that.

        • Cricklewood 8.1.1.1
          16 February 2020 at 9:10 pm

          Nz did that's why we had a change of govt…

          It's up to the new Govt to follow through on its promises and like it or not that's what they'll be judged on…

    • Reality 8.2
      16 February 2020 at 1:24 pm

      James and his ilk are imho jealous of Jacinda’s popularity. Simple as that. And so they try to denigrate her at every opportunity. What nasty mean-minded people they are. At least Wayne from the right tries to show some balance with his comments and doesn’t come over as bitter and twisted.

      • James 8.2.1
        16 February 2020 at 3:33 pm

        Yeah that must be it. If fact she’s so popular she’s heading (on the latest poll) do be our first single term PM for a long time

        And the reason I comment on her is that I think she is doing a terrible job as pm. Over promising and under delivering on a grand scale.

        • Muttonbird 8.2.1.1
          16 February 2020 at 3:39 pm

          You should be happy because what she promised and under-delivered you didn't want anyway!

          • James 8.2.1.1.1
            16 February 2020 at 4:52 pm

            Some items yes – others no.

            • Muttonbird 8.2.1.1.1.1
              16 February 2020 at 5:09 pm

              James, here's where you detail what items 'yes' and what items 'no'. Briefly if you like. Something, anything!

              If you want to be taken seriously, that is.

    • Wayne 8.3
      16 February 2020 at 4:01 pm

      Hmm, what has the government actually delivered?

      Yes, they have increased the minimum wage and increased some welfare and family tax credit increases. These things are easy. Literally just the stroke of a pen.

      But not so well on things that require actual delivery. Such as houses, operations, child poverty, promises on light rail, etc. These require Ministers to constantly monitor progress, and ensure that targets and objectives are actually met. Labour has a serious problem around the competency of delivery. Way too many people across the political spectrum don't think they can.

      It explains why the centre-right vote has held up. If the government was solidly delivering and looking competent, they would be doing much better. Labour was doing so in 2002 and National was in 2011, both dates being the same point in the electoral cycle. The fact that this election looks to be competitive in quite an indictment. In 1975 a few months out from the election, the then Labour government looked incompetent. Which is why Rob Muldoon won.

      Competency was the issue in 1975. Is it also going to be the case in 2020?

      • Muttonbird 8.3.1
        16 February 2020 at 4:19 pm

        No MMP in 1975 so issues of competency could be directed at the one party government.

        I agree this government could be one term. The next government will be a Labour Green government which will get things done.

        That's where the race is.

      • McFlock 8.3.2
        16 February 2020 at 5:13 pm

        All government is done with the stroke of a pen. Twyford didn't promise to build all the damned houses himself.

        A thousand more state houses every year.

        The trees that the nats scoffed at are well on schedule.

        First year tertiary education now free.

        Single-use plastic bags nixed.

        Migration compact ratified.

        Saw that govt needed a chief technology person (hopefully reducing odds of another novopay).

        Healthy homes rquirements.

        Railway lines reopening.

        Abortion being decriminalised and laws made more sensible.

        • Wayne 8.3.2.1
          16 February 2020 at 5:56 pm

          McFlock,

          I have had enough experience of government to know what you are asserting is not true.

          Changing a tax rate is something done one a piece of legislation that can be passed in a couple of hours. Same as simply banning something.

          But building houses according to a schedule is a management challenge. Requires buying land, letting contracts (and the whole tendering process that goes with this). Then the contracts have to be monitored, people kept to task. all has to be done with high managerial competence.

          This has not been obviously always present.

          • McFlock 8.3.2.1.1
            16 February 2020 at 6:39 pm

            The minister doesn't negotiate and purchase for each plot of land any more than a minister individually analyses the economic impacts and revenue projections on a proposed tax change.

            If you were handling your portfolios to that level of detail, you:

            • A) did an inhumanly massive amount of work; and
            • B) probably shouldn't have ever been a minister.
            • Wayne 8.3.2.1.1.1
              17 February 2020 at 7:43 am

              You are deliberately misinterpreting what I have said. Obviously Ministers don't actually let contracts, etc. But they are responsible for the systems, the monitoring of progress, trouble shooting (such as getting in experts to assist the Ministry) and keeping people to task.

              All very different to changing a tax or benefit rate.

      • bwaghorn 8.3.3
        16 February 2020 at 5:51 pm

        Wayne at least she fucking admitted their is a housing problem not like old smile and rave key . You should be ashamed you were part of a do nothing government

        • OnceWasTim 8.3.3.1
          16 February 2020 at 6:09 pm

          You'll never get Wayne to admit or concede anything.

          "I have had enough experience of government to know what you are asserting is not true"

          He does all that 'I know best' stuff in a very modest and considered sort of way – probably why the media still see him as some fair and balanced sort of sage, enabling him to keep milking it as a rent-a-voice for a bit longer.

          By the way – it's Dr. to you

          • Chris 8.3.3.1.1
            17 February 2020 at 9:31 am

            That's what makes him a dangerous mofo.

            • OnceWasTim 8.3.3.1.1.1
              17 February 2020 at 6:22 pm

              /agree

              But he's not alone by any means. Aside from Mrs Wayne, he's got his own enterage of hero worshippers. Sorry to say many of them misrepresent themselves as being members of the 4th Estate. Others are fellow talking heads that sit there dripping with fashion, jewelery and wisdom telling us all what we’re supposed to know if we want to be aspirational and in with the in-crowd.
              Personally I think they’re hideous specimens.
              (Shit! did I say that out loud?)

            • OnceWasTim 8.3.3.1.1.2
              17 February 2020 at 6:43 pm

              By the way, I realise I might be sailing close to the wind, in as much as I realise I could be accused of attacking the messenger rather than the message. But when it's constant, it kind of goes to the legitimacy of the message.

              I was kind of hoping Wayne might be bestowed with some other sort of honour – such as a knighthood. There'd be a better chance of his slinking into obscurity, honour and marbles intact; Mrs Wayne being allowed her pride (not sure if she's particularly "fat and cuddly" or good on the Elna); and the 4th Estate being forced to look for another talking head (going forward)

              • Incognito …
                17 February 2020 at 6:53 pm

                Yes, you’re close to the wind.

                • OnceWasTim …
                  17 February 2020 at 9:11 pm

                  Nothing like a trade wind blowing, flittering and fluttering to give an exilarating feeling..

                  I'll step back @Cogs, and just watch (like I think I promised myself I would do as a NY resolution). I appreciate your job is hard enough having to deal with it all.

                  Best of the British old bean

  10. Observer Tokoroa 10
    16 February 2020 at 3:19 pm

    Yes Cricklewood

    The Wealthy Nationals have done nothing that you commend.

    They developed the homeless, prison population, child poverty, affordable housing etc

    Judge this govt on the great progress they are making while the Wealthy play tennis and ping pong.

    While you are at it, have a look at the Disgusting Cost of Housing you guys have thrown at the Common man.

    • Wayne 10.1
      16 February 2020 at 4:05 pm

      Observer,

      Most off the things you cite have actually got worse in the last 2 years. That is not the fault of National. The current government has to own responsibility for those things.

      • aj 10.1.1
        16 February 2020 at 5:02 pm

        have actually got worse in the last 2 years

        That's momentum. It's difficult to turn 9 years of neglect around in two years. The John Key and Bill English governments have to own responsibility for that.

        • Cricklewood 10.1.1.1
          16 February 2020 at 5:15 pm

          Very true but I would argue that charging families stuffed into dive motels is not a step in the right direction.

          • Muttonbird 10.1.1.1.1
            16 February 2020 at 5:20 pm

            Why not? Families are charged way more stuffed into dive private tenancies.

            If motels are being used in the short to medium term as more than emergency housing then it's right to have them contribute what state house tenants contribute until such time they can be found a community to live in.

            • Cricklewood 10.1.1.1.1.1
              16 February 2020 at 9:18 pm

              Slum landords need to be dealt with no doubt… but thats a poor example for the state to follow…

              Perhaps you are eight and there should some cintribuition but shurly it should be considerably less than what you would pay in a state house… maybe 10 percent?

          • Chris 10.1.1.1.2
            18 February 2020 at 10:38 pm

            The surge in motel use began under a National government. When it started people were receiving benefit advances to pay for them which meant for many debts into the tens of thousands. Then, still under National, around 2014, a new category of grant was introduced especially for emergency housing. No government has addressed the issue of a significant number of people still repaying big debts back, $30k, $40k, $50k – John Campbell on Checkpoint reported one at $80k. About a year ago the Social Security Appeal Authority remitted one which was $10k. This government has said they will not go back and remit these hideous debts for those who were caught up in that complete mess. The irony is that the meet the criteria to receive the recoverable advance the person must be in dire financial straits, so by meeting that test they end up with a debt for $50k.

      • Ad 10.1.2
        16 February 2020 at 5:22 pm

        Thankfully this government is.

        They have formed an entire measurement framework around budget outcomes, so that there is total transparency about what effect public investment is having under each budget line.

        And of course they've continued that in December 11 2019, outlining the broad areas that they will focus on in the upcoming May budget.

        https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1912/S00093/priorities-for-2020-wellbeing-budget-outlined.htm

        This government is shying away from nothing. Sure, criticize them for not delivering fast enough, by they are following a clearly forecast course and a framework within which to hold them to account.

      • Poission 10.1.3
        16 February 2020 at 6:54 pm

        Geez Wayne,

        Bridges announcement just cost them 5 points.

        On TVNZ1's Q+A, he told host Jack Tame he would reverse Labour's changes to ring-fencing losses, which no longer lets landlords offset residential property deductions against other income.
        https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/simon-bridges-pledges-changes-housing-and-renting-rules

        • Muttonbird 10.1.3.1
          16 February 2020 at 6:59 pm

          Wow, reversing ring fencing. Is that part of the 'Bold Moves' strategy along with tax cuts for the rich?

          Hard to see what part of the electorate Bridges is targeting, lol.

          • Poission 10.1.3.1.1
            16 February 2020 at 7:10 pm

            It was part of the trade off (along with extended brightline test) for the non inclusion of cgt.

            The fly in the ointment is the constraint enacted by the RBNZ for bank lending to investors (borrowing limits) the rbnz will have to increase the investor equity requirement to constrain investor growth (and housing inflation).

      • Chris 10.1.4
        18 February 2020 at 10:46 pm

        What things are you referring to that the current government is responsible for which have worsened homelessness, the prison population, child poverty and affordable housing?

  11. Muttonbird 11
    16 February 2020 at 4:02 pm

    Interesting one from former News of the World reporter Andrea Vance.

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/opinion/119531489/snooping-on-journalists-is-an-attempt-to-silence-and-shut-them-down

    She, like other National Party bloggers, complains Labour and the Greens aren't doing enough in condemnation of NZF for photos of Lester Grey with reporters appearing on Whale Oil 2.0.

    In her article she links to a piece she wrote in 2013 on the GCSB illegal spying scandal. The very first image, and before one word appears, is one of the beleaguered Hugh Wolfensohn BEING DOOR-STEPPED presumably by Vance and her photographer.

    How's that for intimidation?

    Then I found a 12 questions story on Vance done by the Horrid in 2017. Question 2:

    You worked at British tabloid News of the World for seven years. Did you enjoy that job?

    I loved it. It was so much fun….I spent a large part of my life on stakeouts. I lived in my car. You spend up to 16 hours on a job, just waiting. You take turns with the photographer going to get the papers, a bacon roll, coffee and cigarettes.

    I guess what's really happening is that journalists do not like it one bit when the tables are turned, even for a moment…do they really believe they are beyond reproach?

    PS. Here’s the long history of the News of the World which was shut down for hacking the phone of a dead teenager. It’s also the paper at which Vance claims she had so much fun and presumably leaned all she knows.

  12. Reality 12
    16 February 2020 at 4:43 pm

    Well Wayne given some of these projects are very large and require exhaustive planning and execution, it is understandable they are not all up and running right now.

    With a housing deficit that National refused to accept, it obviously is taking a while to get up to speed with building more homes. What did National achieve in their last 9 years other than leave a huge problem for our current government.

    Likewise the run down hospitals and schools and environmental vandalism mess that National left in their wake (with farmers allowed to have cows wading in rivers and streams).

    The government readily acknowledges there is more to be done. National just adopted a nothing to see here, move on, let’s have a tax cut and raise GST.

    • dv 12.1
      16 February 2020 at 5:01 pm

      Oh and apparently Natz are promising more of running down services and infrastructure if they are reelected. (translation – more tax cuts!!)

      • Muttonbird 12.1.1
        16 February 2020 at 5:05 pm

        This is a recycling of Bill English's failed election campaign promises. Tax cuts for the rich will serve to motivate Labour's base more than ever, I suspect.

    • Muttonbird 12.2
      16 February 2020 at 5:03 pm

      Indeed.

      How to tackle decades of infrastructure deficit in Auckland made particularly acute in recent times after huge and unmanaged immigration increases?

      Growth at 4% built on importing bodies isn't a sensible plan.

      How to tackle housing affordability, dropping home ownership rates and the class separation and community health this inevitably affects.

      Labour has not been able to turn the ship around yet it's true. Part of that is inexperience, but most of it is having a right wing coalition partner, a hostile Public Service and a middle class addicted to free house price gains and reluctant to give that up for the good of all.

  13. rod 13
    16 February 2020 at 5:08 pm

    Surprise, Surprise. Nats to promise their usual tax cuts for the coming election. that's it folks, same old, same old.

    • McFlock 13.1
      16 February 2020 at 5:34 pm

      good good. The longer they remain mediocre and unimaginative, the better.

    • ScottGN 13.2
      16 February 2020 at 6:55 pm

      And Bridges said today that they will pretty much reverse all the changes the government has made to the rental housing and they will allow foreigners back into the housing market.

    • AB 13.3
      16 February 2020 at 8:19 pm

      The Nats have no problem with 'delivery' because they seldom attempt anything worthwhile or difficult. They can quite reliably deliver windfall cash into the pockets of their supporters – that's their whole purpose.

    • ScottGN 14.1
      16 February 2020 at 6:57 pm

      Was good eh? The only snag is that Hosking isn’t going anywhere unfortunately. In Sydney or LA he’d be just another deadbeat nobody.

      • Graeme 14.1.1
        16 February 2020 at 9:43 pm

        And in Queenstown there's plenty of people who would take him for a ride and spend his money for him

  15. UncookedSelachimorpha 15
    16 February 2020 at 7:22 pm

    Fighting for their right to exploit:

    Landlord organisations mount challenge to new rental rules

    I hope the Coalition don’t “do a CGT” on this one too.

  16. joe90 16
    16 February 2020 at 7:24 pm

    Only the best people.


    Downing Street has hired an adviser who compared women's sport to the paralympics as part of Dominic Cummings’ hiring drive for “misfits and weirdos”.

    In one tweet, seen by The Times, Andrew Sabisky, a writer and researcher who calls himself as a “super-forecaster” said: "I am always straight up in saying that women’s sport is more comparable to the Paralympics than it is to men’s.”

    According to the paper, the researcher also deleted tweets mocking people for “wetting themselves” over female Labour politicians including Yvette Cooper, Angela Rayner and Rebecca Long Bailey, all of whom he dismissed as “dim”.

    https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/dominic-cummings-weirdos-hiring-downing-street-1742024

  17. Muttonbird 17
    16 February 2020 at 9:07 pm

    Wow. I had these all over my succulents in Spring. I noticed quickly that something was attacking them and upon inspection at night the plants were crawling with these things. The damage was like nothing I'd see before.

    I tried looking online to see if there was a known issue but nothing until now.

    I eradicated them with Pyrethrum over several nights.

    https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2020/02/new-zealand-scientists-working-to-stop-spread-of-brown-marmorated-stink-bugs.html

  18. Observer Tokoroa 18
    17 February 2020 at 12:44 pm

    Bribery by any other name

    Offering free money to National voters smacks of Bribery. To do it when there is an ongoing holocaust rampaging through ordinary men and women of Aotearoa is scandalous beyond pity.

    Sir William English gave huge offers to the very Wealthy and much lesser amounts to the lowly Nationals. Unfortunately, Bill scummed himself. in front of his entire family.

  19. Eco Maori 19
    19 February 2020 at 8:34 am

    Kia Ora The Am Show.

    There you go national plans to stop mimimum wage increase that will just create more of a mess in Aotearoa.

    She is someone who caused you to grab a box of tissues.????????.

    I think the amount of people with autism is much higher than that especially when there were stats of high percentage of adult people with reading levels of a 12 year old.????.

    I would ride a electric bike it would be cool and great for the environment low carbon transport.

    Ka kite Ano.

  20. Eco Maori 20
    19 February 2020 at 6:26 pm

    Kia Ora Newshub.

    I say that New Zealand handled the Covid virus people quite good actually. Some people don't know how to be thankful.

    PEE is very dangerous crap.

    The Tongan Comedy film will show some more of Aotearoa humour I will be keen to watch it.

    The Coalition Government did not make this mess it was your government———-.

    Ka kite Ano

  21. Eco Maori 21
    19 February 2020 at 6:53 pm

    Kia Ora Te Ao Maori News.

    I seen some of his statements on Maori TV not good at all.

    Maori tangata need to talk to New Zealanders f health help line it's a pain in the you know what when the person you are talking to don't understand what you're problem is and what you want.

    Ka kite Ano

  22. Eco Maori 22
    20 February 2020 at 8:29 am

    Kia Ora The Breakfast Show.

    There you go PEE equates to more violence.

    Racist people using Racism to grab power. New Zealand is in denial that most people are discriminatory.

    Trade training is the best education most people can get it will be their backstop in life.

    Billy T James was using his Comedy projecting what people's Attitude to Maori was in his time I know I had that attitude heaped on me and it still is.

    Ka kite Ano

  23. Eco Maori 23
    20 February 2020 at 10:17 am

    Some Eco Maori Music For The Minute.

  24. Eco Maori 24
    20 February 2020 at 6:30 pm

    Kia Ora Newshub.

    I don't think that the Government new tenants law will cause negative effects for the tenants.

    That's good for the tamariki free school lunches in schools.

    That stop and frisk was a stupid racist law in New York.

    Ka kite Ano

  25. Eco Maori 25
    20 February 2020 at 6:50 pm

    Kia Ora Te Ao Maori News.

    Kai in Kura is cool.

    That's is cool a Maori Carving on the state highway in Te Tairawhiti.

    Australians and New Zealand indigenous cultures have a lot in common.

    That's a good idea E Sports fund rising for Heart foundation .

    Ka kite Ano

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